The bunting and cherry blossom were bright – the weather was not – on Easter Monday (21 April) for the 2025 Waterside Easter Duck Race, organized by the Waterside Community Hub team.
The day started with orienteering (and maybe the odd creme egg) as well as a search for stones painted with colourful images connected with our mining past. (Thanks very much to the Eco-Museum of Scottish Mining Landscapes for these.)
Then there was the Easter Bonnet competition with its creative selection of hats (and chocolate egg rewards).
Particular congratulations go to the genius behind the prize-winning, squawk-worthy bonnet below.
Some of the adults clearly got into the spirit.
Next it was the bring-your-own boat race, in which boatbuilder Aimee’s vessel was to sweep home in first position, earning Aimee a large…chocolate…Easter egg.
After the boat race it was time for the traditional Waterside Easter Duck Race, which was run from the Stepping Stones.
Below: Sam Sewell captures the catchers at the old ford.
Throughout the day raffle tickets were on sale for the most fabulous prizes – incredibly generously donated by local people (including super-donor and raffle ticket saleswoman June Carrigan) as well as supportive businesses in the area (the Redbrae, the Old Gatehouse, Ghiloni’s, Alessio’s, Domino’s, Costa Coffee, Isla Beauty, Patrick Meechan Hair Definition, the Refinery Barbers, Create Ed and Lidl, not to mention kind volunteers from the British Heart Foundation). The raffle lasted quite some time because of the sheer number of prizes. An enormous thank you to all of you!
Thank you too to Waterside Community Council and Luggiewatch for joining forces to provide an excellent first prize for the duck race, and for Davy Telfer’s and Lisa Giffen’s extremely generous donations of second and third prize respectively.
Huge thanks are due to local coach company LA Travel too, who again gave us a wonderful donation.
Our Waterside Community Hub project will make good use of the funds generated by this very successful day, which as well as a happy community event, was intended as a fundraiser for the much-needed community hub.
More scenes from the occasion – including entertainers Ronnie and Alex, who so kindly provided music and compèring
It was very cheering to see such a good turnout. It was also encouraging to have some of our political supporters there: Susan Murray MP and Katrina Murray MP; also Cllr. Aidan Marshall; then there were MSP and councillor candidates Adam Harley and Marthos Christoforou. The Waterside Community Hub team is extremely grateful for their support.
It was a shame when it was time to wave goodbye to the lovely Easter bunnies, who’d spent their day giving out creme eggs and high fives while joining the wee ones for selfies. Huge thanks to them and to everyone else who joined in the fun and, by doing so, gave a massive boost our Waterside Community Hub project.
