A Brilliant Day on Saturday May 17th-Well done to everyone who took part! A few photos here-more to come when webmaster returns from holiday.

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“I feel really proud to belong to Oving today.”

A quote from a long standing resident at the end of our first Scarecrow Day, which truly sums up the success of the festival. We set out to show what a great community we have here and we did, and did it in style!
With over eighty scarecrows on show the village was abuzz with visitors who had travelled from as far away as Emsworth, Selsey and Fernshurst. And what wonderful scarecrows: Richard Williamson, who was judging, struggled to choose, commenting that “I saw at least a dozen winners.” In a very competitive field, the Junior Wardens picked up the Goodwood Cup for their “Neighbourhood Witch” and her helpers and Mr & Mrs Mathers of St Andrews Close picked up the Hague Trophy for their Cyberman, which was completely made from recycled materials. Visitors voted for their favourite, Miss Muffett and her spider, for which the Maxwells of Highfield Lane collected the “Most Popular” trophy. The scarecrows were terrific and the crowds wandering around the village were visibly appreciative. We even had a living scarecrow in full armour who was delighting startled Boy Scouts in the church yard.

Children’s squeals of delight were testament to the hit of the tractor rides around the village provided by farmer John Pitts and the Fishbourne Ladies’ Morris Dancers provided a colourful entertainment mid afternoon. A number of artisans set up stall in the village hall and drew crowds to watch them spinning, bee keeping, carving and so on. They provided an interesting back drop too for those enjoying a delicious cream tea served by a band of village volunteers.

Children were kept busy making scarecrow from twigs and potatoes in the village hall and could then rest a while by listening to scarecrow themed stories in the church.

Our first Scarecrow Day drew to a close with an energetic barn dance where Barbara Hammond and her band provided the music and OCAG the barbeque.

Already the organisers have met to debrief and plans are afoot for next year. New blood on the committee would be very welcome and anyone interested in helping out is urged to call Anne on 771186. Let’s make 2009 Scarecrow Day even bigger and better!

or ring Sue England
01243 788016