Ferndown Festival 2014 online special

Welcome to the Ferndown Festival

Special on-line publication celebrating Ferndown Festival Week

Ferndown Pram Race

There was no reining back the 100 competitors at the second annual Pram Race, which kicked off Ferndown Festival on 21 June.Â

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Bootlilicious Buccanners

What looked like pram loads of fun belied the competitive spirit that lurked beneath the wacky fancy dress costumes.

The Night Jar’s Jarheads

Coralie loved the excitement of the Pram Race

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More teams get ready at the old thatch Wacky Racer s Big Bob, Jason Stroud and Leith Sabawi with big baby

Ferndown Sports FC raising funds for Pros tate Cancer

Grange Athletic: Richard Saunder, Eddy Rogerson, Lou McMenamin, Chris Redwood and Jim McMenamin

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mags4dorset Press Gang

Competitors head to the start line and Slugs on Valium Reece sell Anita Adams, Adam Rus and Nathan Skidmore

Kings Park Alternative Sports Club: Agent Smith, Agent X, Agent V, Agent Cupcake, Barak O’Brien, Agent Zophael, Agent Nancy, Agent Babs and Mr Black head of CIA

Epiliepsy Support Group: Holly and Ian Mu rray, Kerry Adams, Ben Joicey

As teams sprinted off at the start, with babies bouncing, it was evident there was a serious edge, especially when prammies reached the Pure Drop and downed a pint in record time.

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All photos on this page Š Robert Whetton

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Rac cha ers pu llen t i bab ge n at y co at th uld Crow e fir get ni st p a n ng G it st ew lo op hai ry s rdo o .

More pit stops in Victoria Road and further pints to swallow should have slowed the teams down, but the first team steered victoriously over the finish line within 20 minutes of the start.

The hilarious event was well received in the town and the carnival atmosphere was soaked up by the crowds who also visited stalls and enjoyed live entertainment.

Noah’s Ark : Emma Dob son, Natalie Carr, Charley Douglan, Sohpie Fenton , Amy Shiner

First over the line was the pram-tank-ulous Green Machine, built by Russel, the manufacturing manager of Marden Edwards. He said the team had trained hard at Ferndown Boot Camp beforehand and this definitely gave them the edge, as did their Royal Marine team member.

It was their first pram race and Russel added, "It was amazing. We really enjoyed ourselves and are thinking of a new pram design to defend our title. Someone has already asked if they can have our tank for next year!"

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O

thers followed close on the Green Machine’s heels and when the last two prams came into sight, there was mayhem. Being so huge, they had to be elevated over the bollards in Penny’s Walk and when Kings Park Alternative Sports Club with Barak O’Brien on board was lowered back onto the road, the back wheels buckled preventing them going any further. Sporting Russell Harness from mags4dorset was quick to run to their assistance and help them over the line.

mags4dorset’s Press Gang came 13th and it was all too easy to blame Louis’ heavy charity bucket, which revealed a staggering £86.42 from the public’s generosity, but they had to man up and accept that lack of training was their downfall.

Slugs on Valium also failed in their attempt, “We’re intending to come last,” said Nathan Skidmore, Adam Russell, Reece and Anita Adams before the start. They ended up midfield in the placings.

Organised by the Ferndown Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Ferndown Town Council, the Pram Race was a fund-raising event for various charities.

Chairman of the Pram Race Committee and deputy town mayor, Cllr Tony Brown said, "I am delighted with how the race went. It’s just great to see so many people having fun and laughing. Seeing children, mums, dads and teenagers creased up with laughter whilst watching all the pit stops highlighted what the event is all about.

"I had a brilliant organising committee who were so hardworking in putting this event on.

Also the number of sponsors was brilliant and I would like to thank them all.”

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1st Place The Green Machine

Results: 1st The Green Machine; 2nd Ferndown Sports Football Club, 3rd Climacair’s Trolly Roger. Best Dressed Team: Bootilicious Buccanners; Most Sporting Gesture: mags4dorset’s Press Gang for helping another competitor over the finish line. Funniest Moment: Kings Park 1 when their wheels buckled at the end. Best Looking Pram: The Green Machine. Wooden Dummy: Kings Park Alternative Sports Club for coming last.

FETE

Tog ‘o’ war

ON THE FIELDS This family event rounded off the festival, which had seen a week of dining out special offers and entertainment in and around the town.

The mayor draws a winner Land Train

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King George V Playing Fields came alive with families, classic cars, a fun run, pony rides, raffles, tug o’ war, Liberty Owl and Reptile Centre display of birds, the sea cadets, a skatefest and dozens of stalls. Hundreds of people enjoyed the sunshine and a full programme of live entertainment in the bandstand.

The main raffle prize of a wheelbarrow of wine was won by Barry Cook from Milfordon-Sea and the Asus Memo Pad raffled by mags4dorset to raise funds for Green Cottage RDA was won by Brian Hosking from Bournemouth.

Riding for the Disabled volunteers at the mags4dorset stall

Matt Black and Chris Payn