SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Hundreds take part in giant water slide fun

AROUND 350 people went down a giant water slide in Chard town centre today (Sunday, September 7, 2014) to help raise money for local charities.

The High Street was blocked off and motorists diverted to allow for the slide - nearly 300ft long - to take centre stage with water pouring down thanks to the help of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

The event was laid on by  Chard Mayor, Cllr Jenny Kenton, who herself took to the slide on several occasions during the day, plus a small army of helpers and volunteers.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Chard Mayor, Cllr Jenny Kenton, gets ready to make another slide down the High Street.

Also there to lend their support were visiting Mayors from Ilminster and Crewkerne, Cllrs Emma Jane Taylor and Robin Pailthorpe respectively, and Chard's town crier Stuart Cumming.

Brilliant weather added to the event and people of all ages and from all walks of life slid down the slide on inflatables, plus with the helping hand of marshals who sat on a cushion of hay bales which lined the watery descent.

The Mayor hopes the event will raise more than £1,000 for her chosen charities of the year - Chard & District Museum; Chard Area Youth Committee; Chard and Crewkerne After Stroke Group; Chard Carers Support Group; and Chard Town Team.

More photos from today's fun can be found on this link: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2014/09/07/chard-giant-water-slide-september-2014/.

PHOTOS - ABOVE: Kerry McKerrow (above left) gets ready for the off; while down at the bottom it is all smiles from Kerry's daughter Tamsin.

Tags:
News.