'Duck Pluck' at Craigton Park

The members have been amazingly busy with their fund-raising activities in the past week.

It began with manning a stall with various games for old and young at the Highland Games in Station Park.

Poor weather rather curtailed our participation. But the day – during which visiting Rotarians from other parts of the world introduced themselves - was a success.

Once again the weather improved during the week to help along the final Summer Sandcastle competition of the season on the West Sands and a large number of local and holidaying children took part.

For groups of more than four contestants, first prize and overall winners on the day were “Scotland” from Chance Inn. Their prize was a day pass voucher for Craigtoun Park.

For groups of up to 4 people the winners were “Pharaoh City” from Broughty Ferry.

Individual winner in the children aged 5-11 category was “Mamma Mia Castle” from Aberdeen.

Last year the Club’s “Duck Race” in conjunction with the Highland Games was an enormous success.

It took place in 2017 in the heady waters of the Swilcan Burn across the Old Course. This time around, the famous Burn was not available, so the event relocated to Craigtoun Park and its boating lake to become “Pluck a Duck”.

More than 450 plastic ducks had been sold and numbered individually. A large crowd turned up to see the bright yellow plastic ducks emptied into the boating lake.

Again, this was an event which catered for all ages. Five youngsters – grandchildren, friends and relatives of members - were invited to test their fishing skills by taking to the water in a pedal boat then netting the prize-winning ducks.

Two Craigtoun Park regular staff, students Aaron and Andrew, piloted the boat round the lake and through the yellow sea of floating ducks, while the crew of youngsters took it in turns to net the prizes.

Five-year old Dylan Morgan started the proceedings, followed by Donald Dombrower (10), his brother Duncan (12) and Daniel Wahl (13), all from St Andrews. Freya Minto (11) from Paisley who was visiting her Rotarian family members in St Andrews, had been appointed informal Captain of the boat and she hauled out the fifth and final prize.

All present then enjoyed a first-class barbecue and social evening ably provided by Craigtoun Park staff and the prize-winners were subsequently announced.

Sheila, wife of Club member Dr Ian Black, was delighted that her plastic duck had been the first to be “plucked” from the water, thereby giving her the first prize of £50.

The week’s events, and including all of the season’s sandcastle competitions, raised around £600 which will be distributed to local charities.

The Rotary Club of Kilrymont St Andrews is keen to thank the many friends, relatives and members of the public who were generous in contributing to all the events.