When ducks and slime are perfect picnic ingredients

9:49am Saturday 21st June 2008

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Where in Romsey would you see hundreds of plastic ducks racing along in the River Test and at about the same time the new Mayor of Romsey covering herself in a smelly slime?

Answer: at the Mayor's Picnic and Annual Duck Race in Romsey's Memorial Park on Sunday, July 6.

The Rotary Club of Romsey Test together with its partners "The Inner Wheel" have been working hard to make sure this year's picnic to make up for the disappointment of having to cancel last year's event after thepark became waterlogged.

"No matter how much we plan and prepare we can't control the weather but all fingers are crossed for a happy and successful day this year," said Mike Thorne, the incoming president of Rotary.

Attractions will include the annnual duck race along the River Test. The Romsey Sub Aqua Club will be there to stop the duck's heading out to sea to be lost for ever The new Mayor of Romsey, Karen Dunleavey, is also looking forward to the day, despite the fact that she, and Rotary's president, will be experiencing the joys of the Official Gunging when they will both be deluged with slime.

"Many members of my family will be going to the Memorial Park and I see the gunging as the highlight of the day - something one of my nephews would take great delight in performing. It's truly a great day out for all the family and I hope as many as possible will come," said Cllr Dunleavey.

A new event this year will be the Royal Tournament Gun Carriage 'Light', a display put on by the Scouts and based on the field gun race at the Royal Tournament.

Many of the old favourites will be there too, including various school stands, The Abbey School Cheerleaders, the Soaka Bloka Drencha Wencha challenge, Romsey Old Cadets and a wide range of stalls and games. There will be a full range of refreshments and licensed bar.

The Mayor's Procession assembles in the Old Magistrates Court car park at midday and heads to the park.

Entry to the park is free for all and all monies raised on the day will go to the Mayor's Charities and Rotary supported charities.