Published: Thursday, 24th July, 2008 08:20
Raft race winners have more than a Scooby
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YOU’VE got to be barking to push out in to the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth in a homemade vessel – but that didn’t put cartoon hero Scooby Doo and his mates Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Thelma off from splashing their way to victory in the 2008 North Berwick Raft Race.
The members of the ‘Mystery Machine’ were celebrating a notable double after their Polynesian-style outrigger left 11 rivals trailing in its wake. Closer inspection revealed the same local crew had also won the 2007 raft race, then competing as ‘Hawaii 7-0’.
More than 2,000 spectators were present on West Beach to cheer them off in brilliant sunshine at 4.15pm on Saturday. The mile-long course took competitors out to a bouy 400 yards offshore, then across to North Berwick Harbour and back to the starting point.
All 12 craft completed the course in favourable conditions without mishap.
Spectators judged the ‘Amy Winehouse 5’ to be the winners of the fancy dress competition, while the most sponsored raft was ‘North Berwick Witches’.
Crew members Ray Wort, Colin and Nancy Townsend and Anne Denholm managed to raise £1,500 between them.
Ship Inn publican Colin pointed out: “We were also the first pub past the post, but as we were the only pub competing we didn’t claim that prize!”
Raft race organisers hope this year’s event will raise more than £3,000 for charity.
Earlier, Scottish radio stalwart Jay Crawford returned to his home town to judge the curtain-raising beach sandcastle competition.
North Berwick-raised Jay was in high spirits, having been elected as a new Fellow of The Radio Academy.
The honour, which is only given to two people a year, is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the industry and/or the Academy.
He said: “Receiving the fellowship is a great honour. I was absolutely gobsmacked.”
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