Olney Raft Race - July 6th
If any passing Olney residents or drivers saw a Viking ship sailing down the River Ouse, let's hope they realised it was just the town's annual famous raft race.
Dozens of Olney's residents and visitors headed down to the Weir at Emberton Country Park to watch the start where local Scout groups set off more than 1 000 ducks to race. The Saints divers collected them at the end and the winners were quickly announced.
Soon after, the rafts charged into the water and made their way along the Ouse to the swimming steps at the recreation ground.
There were 14 entries this year, with categories including men, women, mixed, under 1 8s and most entertaining raft.
With the weather perfect for the event, there was a great atmosphere as crowds cheered on the rafts when they arrived. Two arrived neck and neck, which made the spectators cheer and woop particularly loudly.
The organisers, The Olney Group (TOG), would like to thank the sponsor Stimpson Eves for their support, without which the race would not be possible, the raft competitors, who made it such an entertaining afternoon, and the people who came along and enjoyed the event. It was another successful year
Anyone interested in joining TOG to help organise future events should go to theolneygroup.org.
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