24 May 2014 Duck Race and crepe stall at the Fling by the River

On Saturday, the Fling by the River was opened by Judy Murray who joined the traditional parade down the High Street led by the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band, with a procession of Classic Cars and loads of children in fancy dress. Saturday 24 May saw the culmination of months of planning by members of the Dunblane Fling committee which includes 4 Rotarians, The event has been favoured by excellent weather in the last 2 years and while Saturday was overcast, the rain stayed away for the record crowds who came along to celebrate the Fling's 21st Birthday.

The traditional High Street Parade was heralded this year by the Dunblane Cathedral Change Ringers giving a half hour performance on the magnificent Dunblane Cathedral bells. Guest of honour, Judy Murray was joined on the parade by lots of children in fancy dress, a procession of classic cars, street entertainers and, of course, the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band. The High Street Traders were out in force and had organised a Duck Hunt where they had hidden ducks in their window displays for children to find.

After opening the Fling, Judy spent time chatting to visitors and posing for photos before judging the Fancy Dress competition and presenting the winners with vouchers kindly supplied by the Toy Hub.  Her final formal engagement was to launch the Rotary Club Duck Race at 1pm. This year was a sell out with 4650 ducks being tipped into the Allan Water from the Faery Bridge. Most made their way down to the finishing line where the Rotary members were waiting to collect the winners before commencing the arduous task of retrieving the stragglers. Not only did Judy spend a lot of time at the Fling, the committee were delighted to receive a substantial donation towards the costs of holding this year's event and really appreciate the support by Judy and all sponsors and others involved.

Events at this year's Fling included performances By the Queen Victoria School and Dunblane High School Highland Dancers, the Boys Brigade Band, music by Wellgreen and Fynn  and the Dunblane Handbell Ensemble as well as regulars Paraig MacNeil, Bookbug and Master Jack.

For the 21^st party, we had booked a Circus Big Top where in addition to the set pieces, there was the opportunity to practise plate spinning and other skills. Lots of stalls selling a wide variety of items and promoting local groups, were located throughout the Drying Green. The Rotary crepe tent, Dunblane in Bloom hot dog stall and Asher's ice cream van were kept busy all day catering for the hundreds of visitors.

Vocational Committee chair, John Kilby, was delighted but exhausted after it was all over. He thanked all those who had put in such a huge effort on the day - manning the Crepe stall, putting up and dismantling the safety netting for the Duck Race and of course the few hardy Rotarians who spent literally hours in the Allan Water setting up the finish line and collecting the thousands of ducks. Truly 'Service above Self'.