Published Date:
27 December 2006
TWO sides went to war – and hundreds of spectators got soaked.
People from Geddington and surrounding areas turned out to watch the 27th Boxing Day "squirt" at the village's ford.
And they weren't disappointed as charity group The Geddington Volunteer Fire Brigade were victorious, beating Kettering retained firefighters by three games to two.
Stationed on either side of the River Ise, the two teams attempted to push a barrel suspended on a wire across to the opposite bank using jets of water from hosepipes.
In the end the power of Geddington's 1953 Rolls Royce proved too much for the modern day engine.
A spokesman for the Geddington side said: "It was a fine victory, they did a fine job even with hangovers. We have avenged last year's defeat."
The crowd cheered as water rained down on them during the annual Boxing Day tradition.
Spectator Charlie Fryer, four, of the village, said: "I got wet. I wanted Geddington to win. I really enjoyed it."
Fellow Geddington resident Leah Templeman, 21, said: "I come down here every year. It's what people in Geddington do on Boxing Day."
Mary Harris, 55, of Geddington, said: "I think the boys did really well."
Formed in 1977, Geddington Volunteer Fire Brigade doesn't fight fires but is a charity that raises money to support the village.
It's hoped the event will raise more than £200 once the money from collection buckets is counted, with £100 being pledged by the Pot Bellied Pig Brewery, who donated the pink barrel for the squirt-off.
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Last Updated:
27 December 2006 10:26 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Kettering