THE SUMMER PICNIC AND VIRTUAL DUCK DERBY OF 2020

What else could the year throw at us but against all of the odds we did it! An event like no other held in our village with so much signage saying “stay safe” and “keep 2 metres apart” or was it “1 metre”. A one-way system through the Reading Room, will we ever see the same again? It has to be said that we hope not!

An enormous thank you goes to all of the members of the Reading Room Committee who came up with the ideas for the activities of the day and to all of the helpers who helped to set out the Green and assist throughout the day. Our special thanks go to Hilly Dobson who’s relentless enthusiasm and drive quite literally made the day happen. We must also thank those who attended this annual social function, the main event in the village’s calendar, and to those who revisited their youth in so many different guises.

While the final figure for the funds raised are still to be confirmed it will be in excess of £400. The precise figure will be published at a later date. The money will be divided between the Reading Room and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

There were many prizes awarded for all of the many activities and kindly presented by Mr Charles Wyvill at the end of the afternoon. The winners were:

1. The Duck Draws.
   1. Smithy Draw:
      1. First prize – Cliff Bowes
      2. Second prize – Mavis Allan
      3. Third prize – Chris Green
   2. Mill Draw:
   3. First prize – Niesha Snarr
   4. Second prize – Sue Thompson
   5. Third prize – Judi Loadman
2. Children’s Dry Draw:
   1. First prize – Annie Deighton
   2. Second prize – Freddie Deighton
   3. Third prize – Mia Burt
3. Scarecrow Trail.
   1. First prize – Phoebi Johnson
   2. Second prize – Chris Green
   3. Third prize – Hilly Dobson
   4. Fourth Prize – George Tomlin
4. 1960’s Fancy Dress.
   1. Lady’s prize – Betty Robinson
   2. Gent’s prize – George Tomlin
   3. Boy’s prize – Not given
   4. Girl’s prize – Phoebi Johnson
5. Quiz.
   1. Adult’s Prize – Steve Shaw
   2. Child’s Prize – Thea Thompson & Oscar Thompson
6. Children’s Activities.
   1. 1^st Prize – Thea Thompson
   2. 2^nd Prize – Oscar Thompson
   3. Guess the Cake’s Weight.
      1. First Prize – Mr Allen Percy

We must also thank the businesses and individuals who in these difficult and uncertain times donated generously to the event. They were:

1. The Forbidden Corner, Middleham.
2. Wensleydale Hotel, Middleham
3. George & Dragon, Aysgarth.
4. Hall’s Family Butchers, Leyburn and in addition to a prize provided the delicious burgers.
5. Carricks of Snape.
6. Anderson’s Takeaway, Middleham.
7. Brymore’s Dairy, Masham.
8. Yorebridge House, Bainbridge.
9. Campbells, Leyburn.
10. Dante Arms, Middleham.
11. Taplin and Mageean Spirit Company, Leyburn.
12. The White Rose Candle Workshop, Wensleydale.
13. Wensleydale Railway, Leeming Bar.
14. Wensleydale Brewery, Leyburn.
15. Mr Stephen Hill, Masham.
16. Hilly Dobson, Constable Burton.
17. The Chocolate Shop Candy Store, Leyburn.
18. Mandy Lane, Constable Burton..
19. Tennant’s Auctioneers, Leyburn.
20. Wensleydale Creamery, Wensleydale.
21. Luca Mori, Constable Burton.

The afternoon concluded with the presentation of a birthday cake to Mr Charles Wyvill, made and donated by Tony Blacklaw. This was followed by a hearty rendition of Happy Birthday and For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.

Hopefully, by next year, we will be back to a ‘full blown’ Summer Fair and a ‘wet’ Duck Derby but in the meantime the spirit of our community shone through yet again. Thank you all and I hope you enjoyed yourselves.

George Tomlin MBE
Chairman of the
Reading Room Committee
Mobile: 07773031874