Elphin goes chicken crazy at annual eggs-travaganza
It is cracking good fun and an event looked forward to with much anticipation.
And this year those anticipating Elphin Chicken Day had to wait a little longer than normal as the event, usually held on the second Saturday in September, was postponed until last Saturday because of bad weather.
Elphin Chicken Day celebrates all things "chickeny" and raises money at the same time for the upkeep of the community hall.
All the usual favourites were included in this year's programme – egg throwing competitions, egg and spoon races, a chicken dance competition and the justly famous chicken race, won by Sam, owned and trained by Charlie MacMeeken.
New events included chuck-a-chicken, which involved participants throwing a chicken (not a real one!) into a bin. Winner was Jim Turner who took home a bottle of Ullapool-produced 7 Cofts Gin, donated by Robert Hicks.
Other new competitions included six identical eggs and six mixed eggs with Charlie MacMeeken continued his winning streak, taking the prize for the identical eggs.
Jeanette Blackley judged the chicken and egg competitions and Harbro and Pets R Us donated the prizes.
Alison Johnson, who helped organise the event, said it had been a hugely enjoyable day.
She said: "Such a successful day could not have occcurred without the generosity of people who donated prizes and volunteered on the day.
"Donations for the raffle came from local businesses, crafts people and residents.
"Organisers are extremely grateful for their generosity and for all the hard work of volunteers who cut grass, erected and took down marquees, manned stalls, cooked in the kitchen and were generally there when needed.
"Special thanks to the judges. There was such a high standard in the children's art competition that it was difficult to choose the winners."
Ms Johnston added a special thanks to a visitor from the USA, Frederica Wolfe of New Hampshire, who donated her winnings from the chicken race back to the community.
Results: Most beautiful chicken - Alaska (Kirsty Robson); most handsome cockerel - Kev (Angus Curley); scruffiest chicken - Polar Bear (Mia Patterson); best cage - Cara Forrest; the chicken the judge most wants to take home - Alaska; six identical eggs - Charlie MacMeeken; six mixed eggs - Jane Young
The theme of the children's art competition was The Highlands through the Eye of a Chicken.
Winner in the p1-3 section was Rya Hagart-Alexander of Ullapool Primary. The p4-5 section was won by Isabella Mackay of Ullapool Primary and first prize in the p6-7 section went to Hamish Dingwall of Ullapool Primary. All winners were given a rosette and a book token donated by Ian Wace from Tanera More.
