Last Chance to Enter

There's one more day before entries for this year's scarecrow trail close, and we are up to 40 entries. Not quite as many as in 2013, but fewer businesses have taken the plunge this year, whereas there are more entries from Loughton residents. Collectively, we should put on another brilliant display! The residents of Crane Court have got together and are planning to put on a great show. As there are several other streets in Loughton where there is set to be a collection of scarecrows, I'm thinking of instituting a new prize for the 'best entry by a group of neighbours'. Last minute entries are most welcome. Good luck to everyone who has entered already!

Third Judge Appointed

I'm pleased to announce that our third judge will be Jonny Hill from Milton Keynes Gallery. We are all looking forward to seeing the entries on the afternoon of July 3rd. It seems a long way away now, but time flies!

Twenty-one Today

That's the number of entry forms I've received back so far. We had double this number in 2013! There are five more days in which to think up a subject for your scarecrow and submit an entry for one of the competitions. Notices are up around the village to remind everyone of the closing date, which is fast approaching. So come on everybody, get your thinking caps on!

Two Out of Three Judges

I'm delighted to announce that Mark Neil, MK's Poet Laureate, and Lance Fennell, a local artist based at nearly Westbury Arts Centre, have agreed to judge the scarecrow building competitions. I'm working to appoint a third judge soon, so watch this space!

Double Figures

With two weeks to go to the May 1st deadline, entries received for the trail have now reached double figures, not counting the schools that are set to participate. A map of Loughton has been pinned up on my living room wall, so that I can mark up the locations of all the scarecrows for which I have already received an entry form. The shape of this year's trail is gradually beginning to emerge. What I need now is more entries! I've heard a rumour that, in one street, the neighbours are planning a group entry. What a fantastic idea! It is heartening to think that neighbours are getting together to rise to the challenge. Scarecrows are beginning to work their unique appeal.

Thank You, Compello!

Compello Operations Limited, based in nearby Knowlhill, donated a raffle prize to our 2013 Scarecrow Trail, and I'm pleased to announce that they have generously done the same thing this year. They have given  twenty pounds' worth of Love2Shop vouchers as a prize in this summer's Scarecrow Trail Raffle. The vouchers can be exchanged at a whole host of leading outlets. Thank you Compello Group, for yet again supporting All Saints' Church.

Green Fingers?

A big 'thank you' also goes to local business Turner's Nurseries, based at Five Gables, in Loughton's 
Common Lane. They too have promised us a raffle prize. 

Anyone for Badminton?

A huge thanks to the National Badminton Centre, based at Loughton Lodge, for donating free membership for one individual, as a prize in the raffle that will be drawn at the close of our Scarecrow Trail. Tickets go on sale in June. Please support us by purchasing some raffle tickets. All proceeds will go to support All Saints' Church. You could be a winner!