Charity, Wimborne | Posted on August 28th, 2025 | return to news

Duck race in Wimborne Minster raises over £1,900

The 25th annual Wimborne Duck Race was held on Saturday 23 August to raise money for Wimborne in Bloom.

A large crowd flocked to watch hundreds of yellow rubber ducks race down a river in Wimborne Minster as part of an annual community tradition.

This year marked the 25^th year of the Wimborne Duck Race held annual on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Sponsored by Puddle Ducks and organised by Wimborne in Bloom, the event raises funds for the upkeep and planting of the flowers and planters around the town in the autumn. In total, the race raised over £1,900.

The Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Cllr Jeff Hart accompanied by the Mayoress Mrs Barbara Hart and the town crier Chris Brown, together with members of the Wimborne in Bloom committee and other helpers launched the ducks into the River Allen by the Riverside Mews Café Bridge.

Meanwhile, Sarah from clothing shop Dandelion added to the community spirit by organising a free hook-a-duck game for children waiting for the race to begin.

The ducks were wound their way down the river to the finish line beside The Rising Sun’s pub garden. With the river level being on the low side, it was a slow race with the first duck taking almost 30 minutes to finish the race.

Tickets for the duck race were sold at £1 each, and ticket holders whose numbers matched those of the first six ducks to reach the finishing line received cash prizes worth up to £50.

The results of the race were as follows:

First duck to cross the line was No 864 owned by Pam Bird who won £50.
The second duck No 520 was co-owned by Mary Allen and Richard Burns who both won £25.
Third duck No 181 was co-owned by Dawn White and Christine Wyre who both received £10.
The fourth duck No 226 was co-owned by Mrs Davidson and Pat Clark who both won £5. The fifth duck No 436 also with a prize of £5 was co-owned by Sue Dibben and Millie Small, and the sixth duck No 76 was also co-owned by Paul and Mrs Feltham; the winnings were £5.

The last duck home, No 353, was co-owned by Derek O’Connor and Rosemarie Hine who both received a bottle of wine.

Two of the winners donated their prize money back to Wimborne in Bloom.

More photos on the Dorset View Facebook page.