DESPITE a week of unsettled weather, the sun shone for the annual East Worlington Duck Race and Dog Show, held on June 18.

Organised annually by a joint committee of parents from the East Worlington Primary School PTFA and the Pre School, this event gets bigger each year with the committee working hard to come up with new ideas and attractions to keep people coming back and to encourage new people along.

One of the biggest fundraising events of the year, a record profit of more than £4,700 was raised this year.

Attractions included live band “The Arc en ciels”, made up of students from Chulmleigh Community College, Pet’s Corner, Snoopy the dog plus the usual face painting, bouncy castle, net the duck, tombola, barbecue, cream teas, car boot sale and more.

The enterprise stall which was run by the children from the school, gave them the opportunity to turn a small amount of money into a profit by coming up with their own ideas of things to make and following it through to selling them on the day.

And of course who can’t be impressed watching 2,800 bright yellow ducks racing down the river at the end of the afternoon.

All 80 duck race prizes were donated either by local businesses or friends of the school and most tickets are sold in advance of the event.

For weeks before parents can be seen driving around the countryside in the evenings selling to their friends, colleagues and neighbours!

The ever-popular dog show was kindly judged by Andrew Herniman and the winner was Scott with his Collie cross Milo and reserve best in show went to Louise with her Springer Spaniel Wilbur.

Chairman of the 2016 Duck Race committee, Donna Webber, said: “I’m often asked how such a small school can raise such large amounts of money and the answer is down to the hard work and generosity of a group of parents who feel very passionate about our lovely village school and pre-school. Once again an event we can all be very proud of.”

East Worlington Primary School is situated in the village of East Worlington, near Witheridge, between Chulmleigh and Crediton. It is the school of choice for many families from the surrounding villages, who are attracted to the friendly community feel of the school, the high academic standards and the excellent standards of behaviour.

It is very well-regarded in the local community, many of whom support it through volunteer work at the school or support for school-based activities.