The annual Parish Duck race took place on 28 March 2015 from the weir by the Millfield. This event was founded in 1992 by Pauline Cavell-Northam, wife of Fr Cavell-Northam, the Vicar of Stony Stratford and Rector of Calverton from 1968-1997. She bought 100 plastic ducks (for £50) and a wetsuit. Each duck was sponsored for a £1 and thrown into the river on the Duck race day. The first past the finishing line was the winner. It has become a much loved Parish tradition, now run by Lesley Salter. Most of the original ducks plus another 50 are still in the collection. Some swam away over the years and one escaped duck was the subject of a rescue and ransom saga some weeks after that year’s duck race. Sometimes the duck race has been weather bound so the draw has happened from the black sack of ducks, however yesterday the rain held off long enough for the children and adults alike to have lots of fun fishing ducks out of the water once the first, second and third ducks had been declared. Photos of the 2015 Duck Race can be seen at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78058413@N06/sets/72157651624451572/
Unfortunately the weather wasn’t so kind this morning when we were due to process along the High Street in Stony Stratford singing ‘All Glory Laud and Honor’ at the start of our Palm Sunday service. So the procession happened within the church instead as the rain fell outside, followed by the solemn reading of the Passion of our Lord from the Palm Sunday events until his Crucifixion.
“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, ‘Fear not, daughter of Zion, behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt (John 12:13-15)!”
