Happy Easter everyone

NEW!! FILM OF DADS'S PUSH THE POTATO RACE ADDED (Scroll down to 2004 Hunt)

2006 Bancroft Park, Hitchin

On Sunday 16th April 2006, 39 children, their family and friends enjoyed a lovely day and the 10th Easter Egg Hunt. I keep toying with the idea of a change in venue, but Bancroft Park is just ideal for this in so many ways. It was lovely to have so many new children join the regulars. I hope you enjoyed it - please add your comments, or ideas for next year's event, to this Blog.

The Easter Bunny had set 8 trails around the park, using giant swinging eggs, the ribboned trees and objects around the park and in the play area. Following each clue the children could find an Easter sticker, to collect and match to the answer sheet, or a crossword clue to be solved.

Lots of children were desperate to be THE one to find that elusive golden egg this year. Everyone searched high and low for it.

After everyone had finished the trails the Easter Bunny hopped off with her basket of wrapped 'eggs' and ribboned spoons, and the races began.

Unsurprisingly the Mum's race is a highly competitive event, its taken TEN years of training - but the best mum won this year!!!

Some of the newcomers seemed a little perplexed as the Dad's prepared for their race - potatoes on strings were tied to the Dad's trouser belts. What a great line up we had this year which included every Dad or Grandad at the event. They had to swing their potato at another one on the ground to push it across the finish line.

Up on the Bandstand, the Easter Bunny (abley assisted by Holly and Amy) called out the children's names and gave out the prizes.

Egg and Spoon Winners
9 and over - Luke S
7 and 8 year olds - Joseph A
5 and 6 year olds - Mary T
4 and under - Evan L(2nd year running)
Mums egg and spoon winner was Sharon Cooper...well done me!
Dad's push the potato race was won by Duncan Lovell

Who found the Golden egg this year? George T & Joshua B-R

Special thank yous to Holly, Amy, Velvet and Pearl, who must surely be future Easter Bunnies in-the-making, for helping me so kindly.

A prize of 4 eggs laid by my chickens went to John Howe for helping me set up at such short notice. Thanks John.


Even though it's not a race - Lauren & Amy were 1st to finish the hunt

Here it is!!



It's not just drumsticks he can hold


"Hey, how'd she get hold of the Easter signage from M&S?"


Mary and Holly hold the finish line

Hmmm...photographic evidence...all but Amy's egg are on the ground!

Ross selects his 'egg' from The Easter Bunny's basket

The line up for 5 & 6 year olds

Evan demonstrates expert balancing skills in the 4's and unders race

Competition really hots up now as the Mums take their places

The Dads...potatoed-up...

Duncan's relaxed hip-holding approach proved a winner

Duncan's spud was quite a hefty beast!

Up to the bandstand for traditional prizegiving ceremony...

My helpers award me my prize

Duncan crowned King

The finders of The Golden Egg receive their prizes and trophy

See you next year =:>)

Caption Competition 2006

This year's write up is below.

2005 Bancroft park Hitchin

On Friday 25th March 2005, 47 children plus older siblings, parents, grandparents and friends took part in the Easter Egg Hunt in the Bancroft Park, Hitchin. If you were among them, I hope you enjoyed it as much as me!

This year the Easter Bunny had been hopping around the park with her camera to set a hunt different from previous years. The children used the close up picture clues to help them find 20 chick tokens and thread them on a piece of cord. Each token had a letter on the back, if you cracked it the message read ‘Have a very Happy Easter’. (Lauren H was the first to solve the message). Children ran in all directions around the park, older ones solving the clues themselves, little ones getting help. As always The Easter Bunny had hidden one golden egg token somewhere in the park, whoever found that would also win a special prize and a trophy! Everyone searched high and low for it.

After everyone had found their tokens, we started the races. The 'Egg and spoon' races were again kindly sponsored by Casino Caterers www.casinocaterers.com (superb catering - give them a call) with egg shaped foil-wrapped potatoes. (After a confusion one year when some of the little ones ate the Cadbury’s creme eggs while I was busy rounding up people for the next race!) If you would like to help out or sponsor something next year, Blog a comment!

With a huge pile of eggs at the Easter Bunny’s feet the crowd quickly gathered on the bandstand for the prize giving. Every child was a winner and was called up by the Easter Bunny and given a round of applause. There were extra prizes and medals for other winners....


Egg and Spoon Winners
8 and over - Holly F
7 year olds - George B
5 and 6 year olds - Joshua B-R
4 and under - Evan L
Mums egg and spoon winner was Gill Costain...only after a re-run, due to a false start - pity as, for first time ever, it was me who crossed that glorious finish line first time =:-(
Dad's push the potato race was won by Ed Davidson (See 2004 Hunt write up for game explanation)

Who found the Golden egg this year? Alexander G

   





Correct! I do go to all the bother, just for an excuse to wear ears and a tail all day  






 




One of the 'Lovelly' families who joined in the fun



Hands up who cracked my Easter message?
 






The Dads exuding confidence that they have what it takes to win...
  





Ed was a novice but displayed the winning technique


Ed is crowned "King Push The Potato"

2004 Bancroft Park, Hitchin

45 children came and followed trails around the park, which lead to clear eggs hidden in 8 locations. Children under 6 collected stickers and matched to an egg shaped puzzle. 7s and over could choose to solve an easter-themed crossword.

Over the past few years competition in the Dad's egg and spoon race has hotted up quite considerably and there had been various attempts at cheating(blue tack/soup spoons/thumbs holding egg in place etc etc). Not to be outwitted by this, the Easter Bunny introduced a new challenge for the Dad's race for 2004...its called 'push the potato' - of Italian orign, I am told. A potato is threaded onto string and tied to the Dad's belt (or front button hole on trousers**), another potato (wrapped in foil, pretending to be an egg) is placed on the ground in front of the Dad. By hip movement and skill, they must swing the stringed potato, thereby pushing the one on the ground to the finish line.

**NB : WARNING to any Dads who consider that venturing out on a Sunday morning wearing joggers is acceptable. It is neither acceptable in mixed outdoor company nor the correct attire for this game. I had to first fashion the said Dad a string belt to tie his spud to. Outrageous!!.

Egg and spoon race winners
10 and over was Holly F
6 year olds was George B
4 and 5 year olds was Todd D
3s and under was Ross W
The Mums race was won by Sue Duncan
The Dad's race was won by Andy Cooper

We had a decorated mask competition, see photos below.

Who found the Golden egg this year? - Natasha and James L
 
 
 
  







Dad's Race 2004

2003 Bancroft Park, Hitchin

43 children followed clues on the back of their name tags. This year, they had to find eight puzzle pieces, which they stuck onto the card template to make a picture of an Easter Egg.

Egg and Spoon Race Winners
7 and over = Josh W
5 and 6 year olds = Milly D
3 and 4 year olds = George D
2 and under = Tyla D
Mums race = Nina Denman
Dads race = David Clark

Who found the Golden Egg? Amelia W