Annan Raft Race makes triumphant return

Annan Raft Race made a welcome comeback on Sunday with 15 crewed entries cheered on by the gathered crowds at the Everholm.

It was the first time since 2019 that the popular event has been held in the to tomorrow’s Annan Riding of the Marches and gala day.

The 1991 Cornet, David Bell, and George Campbell resurrected the watery challenge on the River Annan, which also included a community fun day at Everholm Park.

The traditional starting place has always been from The Cuthbertson Memorial Bridge.

And – despite it no longer being there since it was washed away in storms a few years ago – Sunday’s raft race began from where it once straddled the River Annan.

With £100 first prize up for grabs, alongside £50 for second place and £25 for third – and a special £50 prize for best dressed – the race was always going to be fiercely contested.

And it was the collective of past cornets, with a reigning 249 years service between them, that were first over the downstream finish line.

The winning raft, called Past Its, was captained by Jim Hodgson.

Runner-up was SS Beefcake captained by Josh Whiteside (sponsored by J Whiteside Joinery) and, in third place, was the raft called Ship Faced, which was captained by Craig Wilson.

Former 1998 Cornet Steven Vivers captained the prizewinning Best Dressed Raft – You Can Be Anything.

Prizes were awarded at The Blue Bell Inn.