Wat'er Weekend!
Downpour spoils the bank holiday for some... but not others
It may have been a wash-out at the Swindon Nostalgic show but the rain failed to spoil the fun elsewhere around town this weekend.
Here's our gallery.
Wanborough Beer Run 2008
In Wanborough, hundreds braved the damp conditions to cheer on runners in their now annual beer race.
First-time winner Robert Hunt, 20, covering the undulating 2.2 mile course and downing a half-pint at 6 pubs across the village in a record time of 15mins 39secs.
He beat 20 competitors - some in various guises, including one wearing a nappy, and one pair dressed up as Lou and Andy off Little Britain.
The event starting and finishing this year at the Brewers Arms.
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Down in one!
the Wanborough Beer Race winner, Robert Hunt (r)
celebrates with his dad |
More pictures below.
Great Swindon Duck Race 2008
At Westlecott Recreation Ground, the rain helped swell the river for the 8th Great Swindon Duck Race.
Organisers, the Swindon Old Town Rotary, estimating the event will have raised over £8,000 for local charity CALM (Children's Cancer & Leukaemia Movement).
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Quacking good fun:
the team from the Swindon Old Town Rotary Club
get ready for the duck race
(and testing the water, below) |
Swindon Designer Outlet Wild Weekend
At least they had one day of sunshine at the Swindon Designer Outlet before their wild weekend entertainment moved indoors.
Acrobats, jugglers, puppeteers and circus workshops - plus a life size african elephant sculpture - all greeting shoppers making the most of the bank holiday to grab a bargain.
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Throwing a party:
the Wild Weekend at the Swindon Designer Outlet |
More pictures below.
Butterfly World and Studley Grange Craft Village
At Studley Grange, the rain was the last thing on the minds of children enjoying a visit to Butterfly World and Studley Grange Craft Village.
Different varieties of butterflies landing on heads and hands as families took a tour of the tourist attraction, just off junction 16.
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Rain? What rain?:
Butterfly World (top)
and Studley Grange Craft Village (below) |
More pictures below.
Riffstock Festival 2008
And the fact that it poured down for most of the weekend, made no difference to Riffs Bar annual weekend rock festival - Riffstock.
Held indoors this year, the award-winning music pub raised hundreds of pounds for the Love Hope Strength Foundation charity, with a showcase of local bands, a Guitar Hero 3 competition and a beer festival.
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In the bar:
Riffstock 2008 |
More pictures below.
Swindon Nostalgic Show 2008
Unfortunately Sunday and Monday weren't wonderful days for the organisers of the Swindon Nostalgic Show.
The threat of rain - then an extreme weather warning - putting a complete damper on the event which had hoped to attract big crowds to a weekend display of classic and vintage cars, a fun fair and a bustling collector's bazaar selling antiques, auto memorabilia and crafts.
Those calling it a day on Monday morning doing their best to smile through the rain!
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Miserable Monday:
exhibitors pack up at the Swindon Nostalgic Show |
More pictures below.
But summer should be back soon
More pictures from what was one of the wettest bank holidays in Swindon's history. Not that you probably needed any reminding!
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Spot the Brunel Tower:
storm clouds gather over Swindon |
The good news is that the weather is forecast to improve in the next few days.
And... just in time, we got the biggest and best guide to Summer in Swindon ever put together!!
Full galleries
Rotary Clubs
