West Sussex village hosts its biggest scarecrow festival yet, featuring Dolly Parton, Sir David Attenborough and The Traitors

The largest installation is Ferring Country Centre's 40th anniversary celebration, with 40 different scarecrows on display in the front field.

The charity said it was a true community effort, with the Day Service team building the scarecrow frames in the woodwork shop and the heads being created in the classrooms. The corporate volunteer group from IMI Adaptas spent an entire day helping to construct the scarecrows.

Posting on Facebook, the charity said: “The first weekend certainly tested the scarecrows' resilience. Strong winds left many of them lying flat, stuffing was found tangled in the fencing, and one adventurous head even made its way into a nearby field. Thankfully, with a little care and attention, they were soon standing proud once again.”

Ferring Cricket Club tells the story of W.G. Grass and the maze his spirit is left to wander in forever, searching for his way back to the pavilion. Visitors can try the maze for themselves to help the restless ghost find his way.

Ferring CE Primary School focuses on The Cat in the Hat, with the story written out by year four pupils and displayed on the fence, in front of The Cat, Thing 1 and Thing 2.

The Traitors is a popular theme, with one entry even allowing visitors to experience what it feels like to be chosen to be 'murdered' in the turret.

Dolly Parton has been honoured, too, with one family creating Polly Darton to celebrate the Queen of country music. “We sawed, plastered, twisted and tweaked, added some frills and rhinestones, and set the stage,” they said.

There are several interactive displays, including a pirate ship surrounding by treasure boxes, which visitors are urged to open if they dare.

A popular annual feature, Alan the Scarecrow, is back, this year with stocks and some wet balls to throw at anyone who dares to give them a go.

Wadars Animal Rescue, the chosen charity for 2026, is celebrated at one house, with a variety of creatures dotted around the garden and seagulls flying all around.

The Ferring-based animal welfare charity has been rescuing local wildlife and rehoming companion animals since 1969. Last year, Wadars rescued more than 1,400 injured, orphaned and at risk birds and wildlife, and rehomed hundreds of cats, dogs and other animals.

To boost the fundraising, organiser Stuart Diver has set himself a rowing challenge during festival week, covering one mile on a rowing machine for every scarecrow that was built and officially registered. He has been posting his progress on Facebook during the festival and donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/page/stuartsrowingchallenge.

Stuart also makes the festival trophies and there will be ten available to win this year. Broadcaster John Inverdale is this year's celebrity judge and on Wednesday, October 28, he gave a talk at The Orange Tree about sport and his career.

Visitors can pick up a festival map at The Orange Tree or Pinkertons for £2 cash or by making a minimum £5 donation online via www.justgiving.com/page/ferringscarecrowfestival2026

The event is running until Sunday, November 1. Some pumpkins on the trail contain letters and these will make a word or two, for the chance to win a prize.