Scarecrows make their bow at East Preston Festival

East Preston Festival committee members launch their scarecrow competition

Organisers of the village’s festival, now less than a fortnight away, are organising a competition to find the best – or should that be worst? – dressed scarecrow.

And as well as winning prizes for their makers, the scarecrows will also be guests of honour in the carnival parade, on Saturday, June 8.

Scarecrows taking part need to be in front gardens and be based on the festival theme of “village life” and the colour yellow.

Judging will be on Friday, May 31, and a first prize of £25 will be awarded, with £10 for the runner-up.

Entry forms are available at Buds ’n’ Blooms, Sea Road, East Preston. A list of participants will be available so that all the scarecrows can be viewed, and for a leaflet on how to make a scarecrow, email [email protected]

Continuing the scarecrow theme, children aged four-11 are invited to hunt for 15 scarecrow models in village shop windows from May 26 to June 6.

Then, taking the first letter of all the scarecrow names, they have to make another name from them.

The first prize is a family ticket for the Flying Fortress at Yapton. Entry forms are available from, and should be returned to, Hedgers Newsagents, Seaview Stores and the village library. All completed forms will be entered in a draw to be made at the festival prizegiving at the village hall at 5pm on Friday, June 7.