Egg-cellent time at Beaumond House’s Easter fun day in Newark Market Place

f.burrows@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 10:24, 02 April 2024

| Updated: 10:35, 02 April 2024

Families were treated to a day of family fun as a charity celebrated Easter.

Newark Market Place was transformed as Beaumond House’s Easter Fun Day made a successful return on Good Friday.

A whole host of fun family activities was on offer, from bouncy castles, mini golf and board games, to Easter crafts, egg and spoon races and even a disco with music by Radio Newark.

Dressed to impress at the Easter fun day was 18-month-old Eleri Byrom, pictured with Mark Byrom, of Newark.

L-R Beaumond Hospice volunteer Amy Bakewell, Karen Justice with her grandson, Logan Colbourne 6 of Newark

Runners brave the rainy conditions at the start of the annual Chicken Run.

The day kicked off with the Chicken Run, a 2.5km fun run around Newark town centre.

Dozens of youngsters, from toddlers to teens, took part with parents and friends to see who would be crowned the fastest chicken.

Participants had to complete five laps of the town centre — from the Market Place they ran down Stodman Street, along Middlegate, around to Kirkgate and back into the Market Place.

Everyone started with one chocolate egg in an egg box and collected another egg for each lap they completed until their box was full — which they could then take home.

Jonathan Pell-Reynolds and Harriet Pell-Reynolds 8, of Brant Broughton, at Beaumond House's Easter Fun Day.

Volunteers handing out eggs L-R Katie Bakewell amd Amy Bakewell at the Beaumond House Easter Fun Day.

Chicken Run winner Freddie Darlington-Oxley, 8.

The race was won by eight-year-old Freddie Darlington-Oxley, from Collingham, who took his preparation seriously by running two miles as practice.

His efforts paid off as he even had time to stop and tie his shoe lace mid-race.

Wet weather in the morning threatened to dampen spirits, but the support of the hundreds who attended the fun day was soon rewarded by glorious sunshine.

Wristbands were sold, with the proceeds going to Beaumond House Hospice Care, which will help to support their work in providing palliative care and support to patients and their families.

Among those at the Beaumond House fun day were Louisa Walters and Michael Brogan with Tilly Brogan, 4, of Newark.

Beaumond House's Easter Fun Day in Newark Market Place.

Liam Pulford of Balderton with Rory Pulford, 3, at Beaumond House's Easter Fun Day in Newark Market Place.

A young visitor meets the Easter Bunny in the Market Place.

Matt Colbourne, head of fundraising at Beaumond House, said: “We did this last year and it was brilliant.

“It’s really important to have affordable activities that families can come out and do.

“We are living in an interesting economic climate and it amazes me how much support people give to the hospice

“The rain didn’t put people off, the good people of Newark showed up to support us and if we can raise money and have a good time at the same time that’s great.

“Thank you to the volunteers who were running activities and the race marshalls.

“We’re always looking for volunteers to help out at events like this. It’s good for mental wellbeing and fun too.”

Enjoying the fun day activities were Lewis Cawthorne and Nellie Cawthorne, 4, of Newark.

Beaumond House volunteer Jennifer Bonsor, Ben Phillips and Mia Phillips, 6, of Newark, at Beaumond House's Easter Fun Day in Newark Market Place.

L-R Amy Bakewell, Louis Bakewell, Matt Colbourne, Sam Paxton, Katie Bakewella t Beaumond House's Easter Fun Day in Newark Market Place.

The event was sponsored by Pratt and Gelsthorpe and other town businesses who also provided volunteers.

Charity Human Interest Newark Fionn Burrows