THE Lymm and District Round Table has donated a record amount for charity this year with almost £25,000 making its way to local causes.

The impressive total was raised from the proceeds of the Round Table’s three main events – the Easter Duck Race, Big Lymm Bonfire and Lymm Beer Fest.

Outgoing chairman Graham Gowland, who has also recently become a Lymm Parish Councillor, said: “It’s been a great year for Lymm and District Round Table – we’ve grown in numbers, with 26 active members helping to raise and donate such a vast amount to local good causes in the last year alone.

“We couldn’t do this without the support of local businesses, and of course the public coming to our fundraising events. I look forward to handing over the reins to our new chairman, Ian Newhouse, who I’m sure will continue to adopt, adapt and improve what we do. It’s certainly been a great year getting to know, through their support, some of the amazing local organisations that make Lymm and district such a great place to live.”

The causes to have benefited from the Round Table’s donations include Action for Sick Children, CAFT, Walton Lea Partnership, Wolves Foundation, Express Arts Youth Theatre, Contact the Elderly and the Mid-Cheshire Samaritans.

BUDDING local photographer Tim Knowles took some great shots at this year’s duck race. We liked them so much we’ve decided to post some here. Thanks Tim!

LYMM and District Round Table’s customary Easter Monday Duck Race was high on ‘eggs-citement’ this year…

The large crowds that gathered to support the popular event were treated to a photo finish and record time of only six minutes as the racing ducks were spurred on by the fast flowing water of the lower dam.

Led by main sponsor, Co-Operative Food, a staggering 56 businesses also supported the event by purchasing a corporate or super duck, helping to raise over £6,000 for charity. The Easter Food Fest, organised by Lymm Ladies Circle, also proved highly popular and contributed a further £900 to the kitty.

“We’re especially grateful to the many businesses who supported us this year, plus all the members of the public who came down despite the dodgy weather,” said Nick Bond, organiser and Round Table member. “We’re delighted with the amount we’ve raised and that, despite the fast flowing water, we didn’t lose any of our racing ducks downstream!”

The winning ducks were numbers 909 (first), 750 (second) and 803 (third). The super duck winner was Lymm Shutters and Blinds who selected the Children’s Cancer Support Group (CHICS) and the Owen McVeigh Foundation to receive £500 each. The corporate duck winner was Pure Beauty who chose to donate £250 to Cancer Research UK.

If you would like to nominate a charity or community group for a donation contact charity@lymmroundtable.co.uk

The ever-popular Lymm Duck Race returns on Easter Monday (March 28^th) thanks to Lymm and District Round Table.

Kindly sponsored by the Co-Op food stores once again, the race starts at 12.30pm with children’s entertainment and stalls, plus the ‘Easter Food Fest’ on Henry Street car park – next to the youth and community centre – all open from 10.30am.

“The Duck Race has helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity over the years so we’re determined to keep the momentum going and put on a good event for the local community once again,” said Nick Bond, organiser and Round Table member. “We’re hoping for a good day weather-wise and we encourage everyone from Lymm and beyond to come down and cheer on the ducks!”

Racing duck tickets can be bought online at www.lymmduckrace.co.uk – normal duck tickets are priced at £1, with corporate ducks £30 and super ducks £60. The first normal racing duck over the line receives £100, second place £50 and third £25, with the winning corporate duck nominating £500 to a local charity, and the winning superduck nominating £1,000.

Alternatively, tickets are on sale by The Cross, Lymm, on the three Saturdays preceding Easter Monday and you can also buy them on the day.

If you are interested in sponsorship then contact Rik Wilson on 07766 461944 or sponsorship@lymmduckrace.co.uk. If you would like to run a stall then email stalls@lymmduckrace.co.uk

LYMM Round Table is holding a new members night on Friday February 26th, 8pm, at Lymm Village Hall.

The event will give the opportunity for those thinking about joining the Round Table to find out more, meet current members and enjoy some free food and the odd drink or two.

Membership officer Chris Gorman said: “Lymm Round Table is one of the most buoyant in the region with plenty of members who help to run our main events – the beer festival, duck race and bonfire – and also come down to the many social events we arrange.

“There’s always room for more though and this event will give guys the chance to see what we’re all about. There’s no obligation to join, but there’s certainly no harm in coming down to learn a bit more about the Round Table.”

For more information about the event call Chris Gorman on 07786 656743 or email join@lymmroundtable.co.uk

LYMM and District Round Table’s annual bonfire raised another hugely impressive amount for charity – some £12,000 in total.

The popular event – once again sponsored by Kids Planet Nursery and held at Lymm Rugby Club – featured two fireworks displays, a range of food, refreshments and fairground rides. Lymm Ladies Circle also raised £1300 for charity by serving up some warming beverages.

Bonfire organiser and Round Table member Gary Parsons said: “We are eternally grateful to everyone who came along to support the event, our main sponsors Kids Planet, hosts Lymm Rugby Club and the vendors who kept everyone well fed and entertained.

“I’m also particularly pleased that the weather behaved itself as that can have such a bearing on number of people who pass through the door. Now on to the important part – deciding who to donate the proceeds to.”

If you would like to nominate a charity to be considered for a donation email charity@lymmroundtable.co.uk

LYMM and District Round Table’s fifth annual beer fest has been an event to savour once again – both for the ale-loving public and local charities.

Over £4,000 was raised in total, as many attended the two-day festival sponsored by Warrington-based Urban Building Projects Ltd, specialists in domestic and commercial building. The many cask ales, ciders and perries on offer at Lymm Village Hall, along with food served up by Lymm Ladies Circle – who also raised £475 – ensured a good time was had by all.

Richard Storey, who helped to organise the festival, said: “The emphasis this year was on quality local ales and they were certainly well-appreciated by those that attended. We seemed to get the quantity of casks on offer spot on so drinkers had a great selection to choose from right until the very end.

“The main outcome of course is the money raised for charity and I’m delighted we can send thousands the way of worthy causes once again.”

If you would like to nominate a charity or community group that you would like the Round Table to consider donating to, please email charity@lymmroundtable.co.uk with more information.

THE Lymm and District Round Table are fired up for their annual charity bonfire, which returns on Saturday November 7th.

This year’s event is once again sponsored by Kids Planet Day Nursery on Eagle Brow and held at Lymm Rugby Club on Crouchley Lane. It will feature a children’s fireworks display at 7pm and a main fireworks display at 7:45pm. The doors will open at 6pm with the bonfire lighting at 6:30pm.

“We raised a record amount for charity last year – a massive £13.5k – so there’s certainly lots to live up to!” said Gary Parsons, organiser and Round Table member. “The earlier bonfire lighting went down well last year so we’ve stuck to the same format this time around, plus there’ll be the customary rides and food stalls.”

Tickets will be on sale by The Cross, Lymm, on the three weekends preceding bonfire night. Advanced ticket prices are £12 for a family (up to two adults and two children), £6 for adults and £3 for children, while on the door charges are £15 for family, £7 adult and £3 child.

For more information call Gary on 07968 771441 or email bonfire@lymmroundtable.co.uk

THE Lymm Beer Festival is back for its fifth year and organisers Lymm and District Round Table are promising it will be bigger and better than ever.

This year’s charity event, once again sponsored by Warrington-based Urban Building Projects Limited, will take place on Friday 4th (6pm-11pm) and Saturday 5th (noon-11pm) September in Lymm Village Hall and over 38 cask ales will be on offer plus a selection of ciders, perrys, wine and even a craft lager! The Round Table team have tried hard to select as many breweries from the local area as possible, many of which will be unknown to ale lovers so the event is a real opportunity to try some different local brews.

There will also be live music throughout both days, food from the ladies circle and free soft drinks for non-drinkers. The entry fee is £5 evenings/£3 Saturday afternoon (discounts for CAMRA members) which includes a pint glass created specifically for the event. Families are welcome on the Saturday afternoon session and all cask ales and ciders are at one great price of £2.50 a pint.

Opportunities remain to sponsor a cask for £80 which will include a mention in the programme, at the event, on the festival’s website and Twitter and Facebook feeds. Sponsors will also receive four tickets to the event and £20 of beer tokens.

Lymm and District Round Table member and beer festival organiser Rich Storey said: “The beer festival is continuing to grow in success and we will be having more beers than ever before to satisfy thirsty drinkers. The ale selection this year has a big focus on brews from around the region but there’ll still be space for some of the old favourites.”

For more information about this year’s beer festival visit www.lymmbeerfest.co.uk, find it on Facebook or Twitter, or, if you’re interested in sponsoring a cask email beerfestival@lymmroundtable.co.uk or call Rich on 07929 357580.