Scarecrow festival to return in 2012

But festival fans should not despair as organisers Beautiful Battle say the event should return in 2012.

Margaret Emeleus, chair of Beautiful Battle, says the decision has been taken to rest the event for a year to maintain the 'freshness' of the three-week festival, which was first held in the town in 2009.

She said: "Beautiful Battle decided on a whim in 2009 to let a Scarecrow Festival take people on a guided tour of the flower beds and gardens of Battle. The scarecrows set the town alight, and popped up at all points around the town, and certainly took residents and visitors to areas of Battle which they might not otherwise have known about.

"And so it was that there was a demand to stage a re-run this year."

She added: "The event should retain its appeal and freshness, and this we think would be lost if it becomes a regular annual event.

"Let us rest it for a year and consider another onslaught in Olympic Year."

Almost 70 groups, schools, businesses and individuals entered scarecrows into last month's festival, with a selection of colourful characters greeting visitors and shoppers around Battle.

This year's theme was Market Day, and the entrants' imaginations ran wild.

Margaret said: "Characters ranged from the traditional boy going to market, to animals such as pigs and cows, to a scarecrow reincarnated from super-size vegetables, and to a plethora of scarecrows on bicycles.

"1066 was not excluded as William invaded England dressed as a French onion seller, and the chairman of The Horticultural Society, Norman, arrived in The Almonry garden pushing a barrow!

"The degree of imagination has been superb. Stuffing from a settee was used fill out one body, milk bottles by the score to construct two of the models and skilful artistry in use of papier mache to make a realistic Van Gogh..and Norman!"

A few scarecrows have now taken up residence elsewhere, with two destined for allotments, several heading to Crowhurst Park and others back to the children who made them.

And the award-winning milk bottle cow, which hung outside the Senlac Inn, is to be taken to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings, where it will be used in occupational therapy.

Margaret said: "Thanks to Steve at The Senlac who has made a particular contribution to the combined charities of Beautiful Battle and St Michael's Hospice, with his donation of over 70.

"A cheque for 140 has been sent to the hospice, reflecting 50 per cent of the donations made during the festival.

"My thanks to all who participated, and to all who helped to make the festival possible."