This article is from the 2010 Fair, but has been kept here for reference. We will be running the competition for the 2012 fair, so please contact us if you'd like to enter in 2012.

Once again we would like residents of Ditchling to make scarecrows and place them in prominent positions in gardens around the village. In previous years they looked fantastic and it is a great way to promote the Fair.

As the theme for this year’s fair is Folklore, Fable and Fantasy, all entries should be based on personalities, characters, stories or events that relate to the theme. There is no limit to the number of scarecrows you can enter in one scene, so if you want to make Robin Hood and Maid Marion, they would be judged as one entry; however, you may find the tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves a little ambitious!

If a family/household wishes to make scarecrows representing different topics, then separate entry forms are required. As a rule, each topic should have its own entry. You can download the entry form from www.ditchlingfair.co.uk or pick up copies from the Post Office.

Closing date to receive entry forms is 4.00pm Friday 11th June. There is a competition entry fee of £1.00 per household. Please complete the entry form to be considered an official entry to the competition. Scarecrows should be in-situ all week from 2.00pm on Sunday 13th June until after the fair. If possible, please e-mail a Google Earth .kmz file of your Scarecrow’s location to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Scarecrows will be judged by popular vote – the voting slip is in the Fair Programme. First, second and third prizes will be awarded to the winners.

A scarecrow map will list the official entries so that everyone can enjoy your creative efforts. It will be available from Parkers, the Post Office for £1.00 as of Monday 14th June. If you wish to make a Scarecrow but do not have a location where it would be visible, you may place your scarecrow on the property of another resident with their permission. The prizes will be awarded to the creators of the scarecrow, not the owners of the location.

The scarecrow competition is sponsored by ShirleyCrowtherArt.com at the Jointure Studios