Easter Egg Hunt at the Grand Western Canal

THE EASTER Bunny lost all his eggs at the canal on Good Friday, but thankfully a mixture of young and old were able to help find them.

Around 80 people enjoyed a break in the wet weather to try and find the 27 hidden pictures of eggs located around Grand Western Canal’s basin. With the help of clues and photographs, families set off from the ranger’s office on the hunt for them.

On the back of the hidden eggs were letters which formed a word when put together. Children taking part got a chocolate egg as a reward for finding them.

In the garden outside the ranger’s office, children helped to find cartoon chicks that had gone missing.

The event was organised by canal staff Jo Roberts and Mark Baker with volunteer Alex Annan. Mark said: “It went very well; the canal has been very busy, we’re fully booked and people are happy.

“A few people phoned to cancel this morning when the weather wasn’t so good, but it dried and more people came in the afternoon.”

Alex added: “We’ve had lots of reactions by children when they realised they’re going to get an Easter egg.  They were very excitable.

“As well as having fun they’ve seen a lot of the canal, such as the horses, and the lime-kiln. I came in the wrong clothes this morning, as it is a little muddy outside, but it’s still amazing how many people came despite this.”

Egg hunting took place from 10am until 3.30pm.  Amelie Tucker,4, said : “ It was a little bit hard, and I hope to come back next year and do it.

“The last one on the list was the hardest to find but we found most of them.”

Her mother Carrie Tucker added: “It’s a great way to fill up two hours. I like the little events they do like this and today was really nice. The weather dried off as well which was good.

“I’ve asked the canal to email me all the events here as it’s really family friendly.”

Gemma Dilks, 4, said: “Some aren’t difficult to find, but it is very fun. Her sister Jodie added: “We’ve found most of them. We have probably got about five more to go.”

Aaron Beer, 9 , said: “It’s exciting, and a bit of an adventure. We have only found two things but we will keep going.”

Another parent, Claire Lowman added: “We’re just going to look around and try and find where they are.

“It’s something to good to do on the bank holiday and it keeps the kids entertained a few hours.”