Chiddlingly’s first scarecrow trail is huge success

24th August

Joint winner

Chiddingly’s first-ever Scarecrow trail was held earlier this month and was a huge success with more than 70 scarecrows being entered and more than 100 people voting to choose the winners in three classes.

The overall winners were Gardener and friends! by Sue Barter and Un Francais est arrive by Isabelle Bouvier.

Other winners were: Mr Shep and his dog Herd by Len & Loretta Piper; The cyclist by Debbie Felstead, Mr Bean by Jennifer Bean, Colander Girl by Anne Mills for Chiddingly WI, and Dada by Lance Downie for Farleys House.

Organiser Tony Wilkinson said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the wonderful scarecrow makers for their imagination and hard work. There were so many smiling faces to be seen around the trail as people enjoyed the amazing creations. Also, a huge thank you to the committee of Cat, Jan, Sue, and Leycester, the fab trail team, who made all this possible.

Joint winner

“Thank you too to our Parish Magazine Editor, Fiona, for the lovely graphics and Facebook friends for all the lovely publicity and to everyone involved in making our first ever scarecrow trail a reality. Special thanks to the Chiddingly WI, Rainbow, Brownies, Guides, Chiddingly School and School Association, Chiddingly Horticultural Society, Chiddingly Cricket Club, Village Shop, The Gun Inn, The Six Bells, 1066 H.O.G Chapter, Sykes Harley-Davidson and the East Sussex National.”

Everyone had a lovely time in the village hall with scarecrow themed stalls full of goodies. The WI provided wonderful support and amazing cakes and there were also games for the young at heart. The atmosphere had a lovely buzz, particularly so when 22 Harley bikers joined in the event for elevenses after their opening tour of the trail.

The enthusiasm of Sue, the village shop manager, was described as infectious with the art competition having 22 entries from the school. Delighted youngsters saw their art work on display with the Headteacher having a hard time judging them as the were all worthy of a prize. The barbecue at the shop on the 7th August was very tasty, well supported and a lovely feature of the trail.

The Six Bells pub hosted the prize giving ceremony and gave support throughout the nine day event. The public voted and 104 slips were counted, producing nine winners and a tie for the overall winner.

All the scarecrows, over 70 of them, had their photos taken. They are on display in the village shop and will be shown at the church fete on September 11th which will include a scarecrow themed competition or two.