Photos: 1st Backwell Scouts Donkeyless Derby 2012

     
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Sunday, June 24, 2012
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Carol_Deacon

  • Only 'space hopper horses' could be seen racing across the field ...
  • ...at the Donkey Derby staged by 1st Backwell Scouts on Sunday afternoon
  • The 27th annual fundraiser nearly became a casualty of the dreadful June weather and had to swap venues three times before it could find a field in the village which was dry underfoot
  • However, all's well that ends well...
  • and it went ahead with the scout marching band, dancing troupe, barbecue, lots of colourful stalls, coconut shy, greasy pole, crockery smash and two bouncy castles
  • Coordinator Carol Cox said: "We usually hold the event on Denzil Horler's field next to Backwell Lake but it was waterlogged.
  • "Our next choice was at Backwell Recreation Centre playing fields...
  • ...but when Backwell Junior Football Club held a pitch inspection on Thursday...
  • ...it was decided the ground was too wet to precede.
  • "We were told we could wait and see if it dried out in time but that we would be liable for any damage caused to the turf.
  • "Luckily Backwell School were brilliant and came to the rescue by offering us the use of its playing fields.
  • "By then we had already taken the decision to cancel the donkeys so we billed it as the 'Donkeyless Derby'."
  • Notices were put up throughout the village to redirect people to the comprehensive school at Station Road and despite a slow start eventually the crowds arrived
  • The going was still very soft for the junior jockeys who bounced along the course on the blow-up space hoppers...
  • ...to compete in eight races sponsored by local businesses, said Mrs Cox.
  • She added: "Normally we make approximately £4,000 but I think we will be lucky if we make £1,000 this year."
  • The Donkey Derby is its main fundraising and all profits are used to support the group
  • The dress code for the afternoon was more green wellies and waterproofs than sun shades and parasols as ominous black clouds hung in the sky.
  • Appropriately the finale song and dance by the Footlights Performance Academy...
  • included an Incy, Wincy Spider routine about 'out came the sun and dried up all the rain'
  • The first Donkey Derby was held in 1985 at Southfield Farm...
  • ...and apart from the foot and mouth disaster in 2001 has run every year since...
  • ...moving to the Lakeside field in 1992
  • Backwell Scouts cater for 120 young people aged six to 17 in its Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers troops
  • Last year the profits from the Donkey Derby rebuilt the kitchens at 1st Backwell Scout Group HQ

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  • Profile image for CarolCox1

    by CarolCox1

    Monday, July 02 2012, 5:31PM

    “A wonderful day out. Around £3500 will hopefully have been raised, once all receipts are in.”

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