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And now for the 2023 Wheelbarrow Race - Bank Holiday May 1st !

 

Pictured Above | The Quince Players Sleeping Beauty (Click to see Panto Details)

Pictured Above : Best Fancy Dress Winners | 'Cowes to Cowes' by the Hope Trust

The annual Sunninghill Fancy Dress Wheelbarrow Race organised by the Rotary Club of Ascot was held on New Years Day 2020.

This is a cracking way to start the New Year with plenty of laughter and fun whilst raising money for  worth causes and the Race was blessed with perfect dry weather ensuring and welcoming an excellent spectator turn out to shout on the teams.

 

Pictured Above: Ghosts and Ghouls from the members of the Sunninghill Currie Club

The race for teams, of at least four members pushing  their  barrows, takes a circular route through the lanes of Sunninghill Village with four compulsory drink station stops at the  The Duke, Truss Hill Road, The Dog & Partridge and the The Carpenters Arms. The start is at St Michael's school where, before the race David Jones and his Jazz Band belted out classic tunes to entertain the waiting teams and spectators, along with St Michael's PTA who organised  a coffee and breakfast bar. The Bacon smelled  gorgeous and the coffee gratefully drunk.

The roads closed at 11.45 and the race commenced at  noon.

Pictured Above | The Fastest (Mixed) Team | Maya ( 9 minutes 39 seconds) 

  

Pictured Above : Preserve and Conserve promoting environment awareness

The fast teams quickly shot off around the course vying for fastest teams whilst others took a more sedate pace showing off their costumes and barrows whilst singing a song or two bringing large smiles to the faces of the on looking crowds of spectators.

It is just brilliant and truly demonstrates the fantastic community spirit of the Ascot Area and Sunninghill Village in particular.

  

This year there were 18 teams sign up for there race and as usual the imagination and fun of the Ascot area community shone through. We had the Cowes Ferries (Mooos)  from the Hope Trust, Schoo Bee Doo Bee Doos being chased by Ghosts and Ghouls from the members of the Sunninghill Currie Club,  Over the Sunninghill, Tour de Sunninghill and Wheely Good Hyms, and Super Heroes  to name just a few. Good to see so many wonderful families and mixed teams with the likes of Preserve and Conserve promoting environment awareness. ..Charlie you are supposed to push the barrow not carry it!

 

Pictured Above: Over the (Sunning)Hill.

 

Pictured Above : Save our Seas | Also promoting environment awareness

After the last barrow finished all congregated in the Comrades Club where drinks and a Hog Roast welcomed  and where the Prize giving, raffle draws  and auctions where held.

Pictured  Above: Schooby Doo Bee Dooh | Fastest Men's Team ( 9 minutes 46 seconds)

And last but certainly not least a  special thank you to all the spectators who gave generously, the myriad of volunteers providing marshalling and collection duties along with our sponsors Signature HomesAscot Racecourse, Marist School, Beverley Williams Estate Agents and the Carpenters Arms.

Team prizes:

Fastest Men’s team  went to the Scooby Bee Doo Bee Doos

Fastest Mixed  team to Maya

Best Dressed Junior - Wheelie Good Hymns

Best Dress - Cowes (Moos) -the Hope Trust

Most sponsorship money raised by a team - the Hope Trust

The 2020 New Year Wheelbarrow Race, organised by the Rotary Club of Ascot, took place on January 1st, in benign conditions, raising thousands of pounds for the Ascot District Day Centre. This year, the Fastest Men were the Scooby Doo team - with a time of 9 minutes, 46 seconds.  The Fastest Mixed Team was the Maya Team - in 9 minutes, 39 seconds. The prize for the Best Fancy Dress was awarded to The Hope Trust for their superb 'Cowes to Cowes', with a  Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferry barrow and its bovine crew!  The Hope Trust (most sponsorship raised), will be raising money later in the year with a Cowes to Cowes sponsored walk.  

After the Race, participants, families and spectators retired to the Sunninghill Comrades Club to enjoy a hog roast, an auction with spectacular prizes, the prize giving and raffle.

 

Pictured Above & Below | Winning 'Wheelie Good Hymns from St.Michaels

 

 

Pictured Above: 'Oz Not Was'

 

  

 

New Year : Wheelbarrow Race   

 

Master of Ceremonies, Rotarian , David Mear, ran an excellent Auction (wonderful prizes such as Spring Raceday tickets, golf at Sunningdale and Mill Ride, dining at the Carpenters, the Windmill, the Belvedere, Zia Maria, Coworth Park, The Duke, the Dog & Partridge). Organisers estimate that the Auction raised  £1,545. Raffle Prizes were also much sought after (prizes are available for collection at the Day Centre from Monday January 6th 2020). David Mear stressed how important the Race sponsors are to the occasion. These include the main sponsor - Ascot Grange, as well as Ascot Racecourse, the Carpenters. Also receiving heartfelt thanks were the participating hostelries - The Duke, The Carpenters , the Dog & Partridge and especially the Sunninghill Comrades Club. The Race also involves a huge amount of planning and volunteer time - behind the scenes and on the day, including the road marshals.

There will be a formal presentation to the teams at the Mill Ride Golf Club on February 12th 2020