2017 Duck Race Raises Over £1,500

The 18th Wimborne in Bloom August Bank Holiday Weekend Duck Race has raised over £1,500 towards 'In Bloom' funds and in particular the autumn planting.

The Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Councillor Terry Wheeler and the Mayoress Mrs Pauline Wheeler 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 Café Bridge on the afternoon of Saturday 26th August. After a leisurely 'swim' down the river the first ducks were crossing the finishing line at the Rising Sun Car Park a little over fifteen minutes later.

This year, for the fourth 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. In the event three winning ducks were 'co-owned' and the full list of results is as follows:

1st Duck No 288 (Co-Owned) Christine Holder and Alec Glover who both won £50: 2nd Duck No 904 Marlene Clarke who received £25: 3rd Duck No 756 Nicki Clark who received £10: 4th Duck No 827 and Kay Wallbridge received £5: 5th Duck No 203 (Co-owned) £5 each Gemma Bell and Jessica Morgan: 6th Duck No 555 Anna Hillman who also received £5. Last Duck home No 469 was also co-owned and won a bottle of wine each to Steve Doherty and Mr/Mrs Meaden.

Richard Nunn, Chairman of Wimborne in Bloom presents the First Prize winners with their £50...on the left Alec Glover and on the right Christine Holder.

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.

Steve Doherty wins a bottle by for last duck home.

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 in this the special year of our 25th anniversary." 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, the Rising Sun for the finishing line and the use of their garden, Symonds and Sampson, Estate Agents for their support and those in the river who helped to ensure all ducks crossed the line at the end of the race.