Going quackers down the river

The 9th Wimborne in Bloom August Bank Holiday Duck Race raised £1000 towards ‘In Bloom’ funds and in particular the autumn planting.

The town mayor and mayoress, Cllr Robin and Mrs Sue Cook along with members of the Wimborne in Bloom committee launched the ducks into the River Allen on 23 August. After a quacking good swim of just fifteen minutes the first duck crossed the finishing line.

The winning duck, 290, was owned by Lucy Shephard, who bought her ‘duck’ whilst on holiday from Middlesex and won £50. Second home was duck 741 owned by Melvin Gudger, Wimborne Minster’s  deputy town crier who won £25. Third was 697 owned by Sheila Cullen of Lychett Matravers who won £10 and fourth was 942 owned by Kenneth Parkinson of Wimborne who won £5. The last duck home, 812, won a ‘Bottle of Bubbly’ kindly donated by The Rising Sun, for its owner Sheila Hole.

All 1000 ducks had been pre-sold at £1 a time thanks to Somerfield allowing members and supporters of Wimborne in Bloom a selling point outside their store prior to the race.