THE community made a big fundraising push in Crantock on Friday, which raised thousands of pounds for charity.

A total of 150 teams took part in the 26th Crantock Bale Push in aid of Man Down Cornwall, Crantock Surf Life Saving Club and other local groups, the largest amount of people to ever compete in the annual event.

Big crowds cheered on the bale pushers throughout the village (Picture: @thisisnewquay)
Big crowds cheered on the bale pushers throughout the village. (Picture: @thisisnewquay)

People from as far afield as Scotland and Italy travelled to take part. A large crowd gathered to cheer on the teams as they pushed huge bales of hay around the village in the fastest time possible.

Sixty five junior teams took in the three categories (Picture: @thisisnewquay)
Sixty-five junior teams took part in the three categories. (Picture: @thisisnewquay)

The ladies event was won for the 18th time by the highly successful Newquay Hockey Club team Chicks with Sticks. Roll a Fat One powered their way to victory for a second year running.

Teams did their best to steer the huge bales of hay through the village (Picture: @thisisnewquay)
Teams did their best to steer the huge bales of hay through the village. (Picture: @thisisnewquay)

The 180’s teams, where the combined age of all four team members must exceed 180 years, was won for the first time by Fisherman’s Friends Cork. Sixty-five junior teams took in the three categories.

Teams had lots of fun taking part in the bale push (Picture: @thisisnewquay)
Teams had lots of fun taking part in the bale push. (Picture: @thisisnewquay)

A highlight for many was a performance by 1940’s Crooner Andy Marshall who created a ‘Party by the Triangle’ atmosphere and had the crowds singing and dancing around the Memorial Hall.

The ladies event was a hotly contested one (Picture: @thisisnewquay)
The ladies event was a hotly contested one. (Picture: @thisisnewquay)

Tony Brokenshire from Crantock Bale Push said: “Everyone had a lot of fun at this year’s bale push.

“We are now waiting for the final figure of money raised this year, and we look forward to making donations to Man Down Cornwall, Crantock Surf Life Saving Club and other local community based groups.

“But it will be a while before the final figure is known. We are so grateful to our sponsors Sharp’s Brewery, The Garage Company Ltd, Start and Co, Legacy Properties and David Ball Agencies for their sponsorship and to all the advertisers who support our Bale Push Magazine.”