Cross-border duck race goes swimmingly at Chirk Aqueduct!

Visitors at the Chirk Aqueduct went quackers for charity on weekend as they took part in The Canal & River Trust’s first international, cross-border duck race.

The stunning 70 feet high aqueduct, built by Thomas Telford more than 200 years ago, marks the boundary between England and Wales and is part of the Trust’s impressive Llangollen Canal 11mile World Heritage Site.

Crowds of more than 300 people watched as 100 ducks were waved off from the Welsh side of the aqueduct by Trust mascot Vinnie the Vole, before swimming 710 feet over the aqueduct to the England, with the help of a couple of kayakers.

Organised jointly with Wrexham County Council, the event was free but competitors were invited to make donations to the Canal & River Trust, which cares for 2,000 miles of the nation’s canals, and Nightingale House Hospice, which provided the ducks.

Ani Sutton, Canal & River Trust development manager, said: “This was a fabulous event to showcase Chirk Aqueduct and the wonderful Llangollen Canal World Heritage Site. We managed to avoid the worst of Storm Brian and everyone had a great time.

“Sometimes overshadowed by its more headline-grabbing neighbour, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Chirk is a stunning structure in its own right. It deserves to have a spotlight shone on it and what better way to get everyone out having some fun than to host a duck race.”

Owners of the winning ducks were all local residents: 1st Dave Williams, 2nd Faye Evans (age 4) and 3rd Chris Shaw. Prizes for the winners included a family ticket for the Llangollen horse-drawn boat trip and gift vouchers for the Anderton Boat Lift and local Café Wylfa.