Dawn of the scarecrows
Following the runaway success of last year's inaugural Scarecrow Festival, organisers Beautiful Battle have once again invited groups, schools, businesses, adults and children to enter their creations.
Last year's entries included the cast of the Wizard of Oz, a scarecrow family and a superhero (see below).
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Hide AdAnd who knows what delights are in store for this year's festival, which has the theme Market Day.
Margaret Emeleus, of Beautiful Battle, knows - but she isn't giving anything away.
She said: "Untold stories and secrets of the Market Day scarecrows are about to unfold.
"I know a few...but wouldn't dare reveal. Expect the unexpected!
"I think we are in for an entertaining three weeks."
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Hide AdThe number of entrants for the 2010 festival has swelled to 67, with everyone hoping their scarecrow will be worthy of a prize at the annual Battle In Bloom award evening on July 22.
Between July 5 (Monday) and July 25, the scarecrows will be in position around the town, from the junction of North Trade Road and London Road at the top of the High Street to the junction of Marley Lane and Lower Lake at the southern end.
Scarecrow spotters can also find them lurking in the Almonry Garden, in the garden behind Nationwide, Mount Street, Mount Street car park, Abbey Court, Old Ladies Court, Market Road, Battle Hill, Lower Lake and on the road to Netherfield.
Some will also be peering out at shoppers from shop windows and there will also be a display in Battle Library.
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Hide AdThe Scarecrow Festival Trail leaflet, which includes a form for people to vote for their favourite, will be available from Battle Tourist Information Centre (at Battle Abbey), Battle Memorial Hall, Battle Museum, The Almonry, Battle Library and participating businesses from Monday.
All proceeds from the event will go to Beautiful Battle and St Michael's Hospice.
As part of the festival, Beautiful Battle will hold its annual street collection on July 16/17, and there will be an Open Day for scarecrows made at the Mediaeval Fayre in May at The Almonry Garden on July 17, 10am-5pm.
The events have been sponsored by Angela and Hamish Monro of Wheel Farm Business Park Westfield, Graham Peters of Tiger Tees and Foye Estates, Verdant, and Farrago.
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Hide Ad* HERE is the full list of all the groups, individuals and businesses taking part in the 2010 Battle Scarecrow Festival.
Clubs, societies and individual entries:
Action Medical Research
Battle Bowls Club
Battle Childrens' Centre
Battle Choral Society
Battle Cricket Club
Battle and District Arts Group
Battle Farmers Market
Battle Floral and Horticultural Society
Battle Flower Club
Battle and Langton School
Battle Light Opera Group
Battle Memorial Hall
Battle Museum of Local History
Battle Ramblers
Battle Tangent
Battle Town Council
Battle Twinning Association
Beautiful Battle
Meg and Katie Beckett
Busy Bees
Caterpillar Preschool
Claverham Day Nursery
Cycle Battle
District Guide Association (five entries)
Farmyard Nursery
Glengorse residents
Tanya Honeysett - child minder
Jam
Ruth McArthur
Mountfield and Whatlington School
The Nappy Garden
Netherfield Primary School
Old Court House
Our Lady Immaculate and St Michael RC Church
Ian Reed
Rye Creative Stitchers
Pam Saunders
Saxonwood Residential Home
Saxonwood WI
St Martins residents
Tenderheart Charity
Tony and Roz Winter
Business entries:
Abbey Tuck Shop
Alan Hunting Associates
Barberlou's
Battle Deli
Battle Electricals and Computer
Battle House of Flowers
Battle Locks
Battle Observer
Castle Estates
Dask Ltd
Day-Lewis Pharmacy
Demelza
Farrago
Jempsons
Koko
Nobels Restaurant
Old Ladies Court
Panache
Powdermills Hotel
Senlac Inn
Senlac Veterinary Centre
St Michael's Hospice Shop
Verdant
Vintage of Battle
Webbs Home and Garden Store