Nathan Dunbar from Polegate, who is Head of Events for the Polegate Community Foundation, has now concluded the Sussex Downs Scarecrow Festival 2023 over 40 scarecrows were displayed around Polegate, Willingdon, Hampden Park and Ratton until Saturday (29th July). The Scarecrow Festival was raising funds for charity which will be split equally between Holding Space and Eastbourne Lifeboats (RNLI), a final total is yet to be announced.
Nathan said, “Thank you very much to all Scarecrow Creators for continuing to support us in our sixth year of Scarecrow Festivals, the quality and quantity of Scarecrow entries has increased dramatically this year and it was sad to see poor weather conditions damage some of the handmade creations.”
Nathan alongside the Mayor of Polegate Town Council, Cllr Dan Dunbar presented 9 awards to the best scarecrows found in Polegate and surrounding areas following outstanding efforts in their entries.
Cllr Dan Dunbar said, “As Mayor of Polegate I was privileged to be involved with the Award Presentations for the Sussex Downs Scarecrow Festival and I was honoured to award the ‘Best in Show’ award to John Dobson, a local resident who has entered the Polegate Scarecrow Festival every year for the past 6 years, his Scarecrow entry this year was truly fantastic with his working puppet suspended from his roof.”
Sussex Downs Scarecrow Festival 2023
Awards are as Follows
Best in Show – John Dobson, Albert Road
Best Display of Scarecrows – Debbie Gearing, New Road
People’s Choice– Polegate Sundowners WI, Levett Road
Best Business Scarecrow – Polegate Royal British Legion
Best Under 12’s Scarecrow – Antigone
Highly Commended – Bernhard Baron Care Home, Katy Thomas, Haine and Son and 1st Hampden Park Beaver Scout Colony.
