5th August 2011

ILMINSTER: Thousands flock to the Lowland Games

By Marion Draper

BIGGER and better than ever, the annual Lowland Games held alongside the River Parrett at Thorney attracted a massive number of families this year in perfect weather conditions.

Started in 1984 by the England family and friends, the Lowland Games is still going strong 26 years later, raising thousands of pounds for charities every year.

The fundraiser as whole is a weekend of fun which includes at 10k run and party night with live bands but by far the best family fun was to be had on Sunday when the day’s events of nonsense and organised mayhem commenced with the annual raft race, after the fancy dress by most of the participants was judged.

Previous years have seen some rather ad hoc raft making, sometimes thrown together on a hangover frenzy on Sunday morning resulting in a few not making it more than a few feet down the river, but this year the standard was high and very competitive, with teams entering from as far as Weymouth and Bridgwater and Young Farmers from Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, Langport and Yeovil.

There was still plenty of river bound nonsense though, and some very amusing costumes and, as always, a few teams tried for sabotage.

Weymouth crew Pimms O’clock, who were dressed more for the Henley Regatta than a dodgy trip down the Parrett, were handing out drinks to other teams as they passed by and if that didn’t work, splashed them with paddles. Their tactics managed to slow down Yeovil Young Farmers who have won in previous years.

Ilminster Young Farmers, who were built for speed, lost valuable time when they mixed it up with the Ilchester team who were all in drag and another Weymouth crew The Gnomes looked to be making sensible time until they were dragged backwards by a Labrador who jumped in and tried to retrieve the decoy duck they had tied to the back of their raft.

There were many first timers on the river this year including Chard team the Builderettes who were first on the river and had their raft christened with beer by the commentator before the start. The Seavington Hunt team were also new and joint master Jereme Darke found enough puff to blow his hunting horn between paddles. Also a vet with Kingfisher Veterinary Practice, his team had made imaginative use of the long examination gloves which they had blown up for arm floats.

Martock rafters Steel Fabs A were the overall Kings of the River this year with the fastest time. The steel fabrications company have been supporters of the race for many years and have won the title before. The winning ladies were Yeovil Young Farmers, and Dizzy rafters from Burrowbridge won the children’s category.

In the fancy dress, an elaborate effort by Bowdens from Langport with Home Sweet Home, had landgirls with pitchforks and a vintage tractor, while Shark Bite from Curry Rivel took the junior prize.

The raft race was just one of the many attractions throughout the day, with a donkey derby consisting of teams dressing in pantomime animal costumes negotiating cones and hay bales; a river it’s a knockout and mud wrestling. There were junior sports and circus skills for the youngsters to let off steam, fairground rides and plenty of stalls.

The organisers would like to thank everyone who took part, and went along with their families to watch the crazy people all in a good cause. If you missed it, watch out for number 27 next year.

PICTURE: RIVER WARS - Ilminster Young Farmers, right, battle past the Ilchester team

ILMINSTER: Thousands flock to the Lowland Games

ILMINSTER: Thousands flock to the Lowland Games

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