2019 Duck Race raises over £1,750

The 20th Wimborne in Bloom August Bank Holiday Weekend Duck Race has raised £1,758 towards 'In Bloom' funds and in particular the autumn planting.

duck race

The start of the Race Wimborne in Bloom Members with the Mayor and Mayoress and the Puddle Duck Team (Photo: Tom Scrase)

The Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Councillor Shane Bartlett and the Mayoress Mrs Tracey Bartlett together with members of the Wimborne in Bloom Committee launched the Ducks into the River Allen by the Riverside Mews Café Bridge yesterday afternoon, Saturday 24th August. After a leisurely 'swim' down the river the ducks crossed the finishing line behind the Rising Sun Public House in East Street.

duck race

Photo: Tom Scrase

Once again 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. In the event three winning ducks were 'co-owned' and the full list of results is as follows:

1st Duck to cross the line was No: 766 and belonged to ten month old Rufus Harper who won £50: 2nd Duck No: 917 was owned by Margery Ryan who won £25: 3rd Duck No: 159 was Co-owned by Tracey Davidson and Denny Bartlett who both received £10, 4th Duck No: 33 was also Co-owned by Cathy Hancock and Jill Helen who both received £5: 5th Duck No 846 was owned by Labrador Dog ‘Blaine’. His owners Phillip and Karen Maine received £5 on his behalf, hopefully towards dog biscuits! 'Blaine' is often seen helping his owners with the River clean. 6th Duck No: 588 was owned by Marilyn Walsh who also received £5. Last Duck home No: 40 was Co-owned by Marcus Moriatis and David Hoyle who each received a bottle of wine.

duck race

Photo: Baby Rufus receives his prize of £50 from Richard Nunn, Chairman, Wimborne in Bloom with Mum Louise, Dad Richard and Brother Angus (Photo: Anthony Oliver)

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.

duck race

The Mayor and Mayoress, with 'Puddle' from Puddle Ducks Dorset

duck race

Margery Ryan receives her second prize of £25 from the Mayor with Richard Nunn (left) and Anthony Oliver (right) next to the Mayoress... (Photo by Tom Scrase)

Richard Nunn, Chairman of Wimborne in Bloom 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. It really is a happy event and all who come to try to spot their ducks have happy smiling faces as they follow the race down the river. 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, the Rising Sun for the finishing line and the use of their garden area and Puddle Ducks Dorset who sponsored the prizes which were given out in the presence of a six foot duck!"

One week earlier ...

otter otter

Photos by Anthony Oliver, who writes ...

A young Otter was seen on the River Allen in the centre of Wimborne today (17th August 2019) enjoying the fish for lunch! First seen in the 'cut' by the Town Library, where tickets were being sold outside the Co-Op Store for next week's Wimborne in Bloom Duck Race. Next spotted by Minster Press at the bottom of Mill Lane and then the little chap took off downstream to test the route of the Duck Race...last seen heading for the Rising Sun which is where the Race finishes next Saturday afternoon. Attracted a large crowd of followers.

23rd August update on otter by Paul Turton:

We have a team in place now to hopefully contain the otter soon and remove the cable tie(s) at some point early next week. After spending a lot of time helping the economy of Wimbornes coffee shops and watching this fella there is no real danger as such at the moment. He is feeding well, and is not distressed at all, the ties do not appear to be tight enough to restrict his eating at the moment.

If we could all keep an eye out for him and message me any sightings ( location, time, direction of travel ) then it would help massively to continue to understand his pattern of movement.

As ever please give it space and respect that although it looks cuddly and cute, it is a wild animal and should not be approached. We really do need this otter to continue in the same routine and follow the same route for as long as possible.

Thank you, Paul 07921 681600, On behalf of the UK Wild Otter Trust