2018 Duck Race raises over £1,400

The 19th Wimborne in Bloom August Bank Holiday Weekend Duck Race has raised over £1,400 towards 'In Bloom' funds and in particular the autumn planting.

The Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Councillor Mrs Kelly Webb together with the Chairman of Wimborne in Bloom Richard Nunn and members of the Wimborne in Bloom Committee launched the Ducks into the River Allen by the Riverside Mews Cafe Bridge this afternoon, Saturday 25th August. After a leisurely 'swim' down the river the first ducks were crossing the finishing line at the Rising Sun Car Park around twenty minutes later.

Second prize winner Jackie Thorn, who was visiting from Wimbledon, alongside Richard Nunn (Wimborne in Bloom Chairman) and the Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Councillor Mrs Kelly Webb

This year, for the fifth year in succession, to meet the demand for tickets some of the ducks were 'co-owned' as it would have been impractical to increase beyond a thousand the number of ducks launched into the river. It meant that the prize money could be doubled as both owners would be eligible for the full value of all prizes.

Laggard ducks being given a helping ... throw

In the event four winning ducks were 'co-owned' and the full list of results is as follows:

1st Duck No 599 Christine Harris who won £50: 2nd Duck No 235 (Co-owned) David James and Jackie Thorne who both received £25: 3rd Duck No 365 (Co-owned) Susan Dibben and Heidi Bank who both received £10: 4th Duck No 5 (Co-owned) Nick Cresswell and Terry Wheeler who both received £5: 5th Duck No 225 (Co-owned) £5 each to Caroline Kersey and Don Symonds: 6th Duck No 843 Carol Charters who also received £5. Last Duck home No 699 won its owner John Bunting a bottle of wine.

Caroline Kersey, a Wimborne resident, receiving her fifth prize of £5.00 from the Mayor, Cllr Mrs Kelly Webb and the Chairman of Wimborne in Bloom, Richard Nunn

All ducks had been pre-sold at £1 a time thanks to the Waitrose and Co-Operative Supermarkets allowing members of Wimborne in Bloom a selling point at the entrance to their stores prior to the Race.

Richard Nunn speaking after the Race "thanked everyone who helped with the selling of tickets and all those who purchased 'Ducks' in support of Wimborne in Bloom. Once again he was particularly pleased to see such a large crowd of 'duck owners' who followed their ducks down the river from the safety of the footpath. In addition to thanking the Waitrose and Co-Operative Supermarkets, he also expressed thanks to the Slocock Trust for the use of the Bridge from which to launch the ducks and the Rising Sun for the finishing line and the use of their garden and those in the river who helped to ensure all ducks crossed the line at the end of the race.

Photo credits: Anthony Oliver, Sarah Owers, John Allen