Dawn of the scarecrows

Following the runaway success of last year's inaugural Scarecrow Festival, organisers Beautiful Battle have once again invited groups, schools, businesses, adults and children to enter their creations.

Last year's entries included the cast of the Wizard of Oz, a scarecrow family and a superhero (see below).

And who knows what delights are in store for this year's festival, which has the theme Market Day.

Margaret Emeleus, of Beautiful Battle, knows - but she isn't giving anything away.

She said: "Untold stories and secrets of the Market Day scarecrows are about to unfold.

"I know a few...but wouldn't dare reveal. Expect the unexpected!

"I think we are in for an entertaining three weeks."

The number of entrants for the 2010 festival has swelled to 67, with everyone hoping their scarecrow will be worthy of a prize at the annual Battle In Bloom award evening on July 22.

Between July 5 (Monday) and July 25, the scarecrows will be in position around the town, from the junction of North Trade Road and London Road at the top of the High Street to the junction of Marley Lane and Lower Lake at the southern end.

Scarecrow spotters can also find them lurking in the Almonry Garden, in the garden behind Nationwide, Mount Street, Mount Street car park, Abbey Court, Old Ladies Court, Market Road, Battle Hill, Lower Lake and on the road to Netherfield.

Some will also be peering out at shoppers from shop windows and there will also be a display in Battle Library.

The Scarecrow Festival Trail leaflet, which includes a form for people to vote for their favourite, will be available from Battle Tourist Information Centre (at Battle Abbey), Battle Memorial Hall, Battle Museum, The Almonry, Battle Library and participating businesses from Monday.

All proceeds from the event will go to Beautiful Battle and St Michael's Hospice.

As part of the festival, Beautiful Battle will hold its annual street collection on July 16/17, and there will be an Open Day for scarecrows made at the Mediaeval Fayre in May at The Almonry Garden on July 17, 10am-5pm.

The events have been sponsored by Angela and Hamish Monro of Wheel Farm Business Park Westfield, Graham Peters of Tiger Tees and Foye Estates, Verdant, and Farrago.

* HERE is the full list of all the groups, individuals and businesses taking part in the 2010 Battle Scarecrow Festival.

Clubs, societies and individual entries:

Action Medical Research

Battle Bowls Club

Battle Childrens' Centre

Battle Choral Society

Battle Cricket Club

Battle and District Arts Group

Battle Farmers Market

Battle Floral and Horticultural Society

Battle Flower Club

Battle and Langton School

Battle Light Opera Group

Battle Memorial Hall

Battle Museum of Local History

Battle Ramblers

Battle Tangent

Battle Town Council

Battle Twinning Association

Beautiful Battle

Meg and Katie Beckett

Busy Bees

Caterpillar Preschool

Claverham Day Nursery

Cycle Battle

District Guide Association (five entries)

Farmyard Nursery

Glengorse residents

Tanya Honeysett - child minder

Jam

Ruth McArthur

Mountfield and Whatlington School

The Nappy Garden

Netherfield Primary School

Old Court House

Our Lady Immaculate and St Michael RC Church

Ian Reed

Rye Creative Stitchers

Pam Saunders

Saxonwood Residential Home

Saxonwood WI

St Martins residents

Tenderheart Charity

Tony and Roz Winter

Business entries:

Abbey Tuck Shop

Alan Hunting Associates

Barberlou's

Battle Deli

Battle Electricals and Computer

Battle House of Flowers

Battle Locks

Battle Observer

Castle Estates

Dask Ltd

Day-Lewis Pharmacy

Demelza

Farrago

Jempsons

Koko

Nobels Restaurant

Old Ladies Court

Panache

Powdermills Hotel

Senlac Inn

Senlac Veterinary Centre

St Michael's Hospice Shop

Verdant

Vintage of Battle

Webbs Home and Garden Store