Post Event Report From Jennie Mackie:

Who knew that Paddington Bear would, so appropriately, land up in the garden of Mr and Mrs Brown, that Mr McGregor would be within taunting distance of Peter Rabbit who persisted in stealing his best carrots, or that Donald Duck would present as Donald Trump (an inspired piece of political satire).  No 7 was a poser – not a self-portrait as many of you thought, but an interpretation of The Old Codger (Peter Constantine’s alter ego, whose views are often presented in the Village Newsletter).  A couple of people mistook no 26 for a non-fictional person of Saudi descent, and Eve was mistaken by one small boy for his classroom assistant.

 I have been overwhelmed with such a generous response:  from those who built a scarecrow, sold trail sheets and walked, biked, or drove through the village identifying the characters, to those who made cakes and helped with the refreshments, and the people I press-ganged into forming a back-up team (actually more of a front-up team).  And, indeed, to the generally positive reactions (well, it’s necessary to have a little controversy!).

More reflections:  the couple from London who appreciated walking and chatting to other trailers at a leisurely pace; watching Lesley bring yet another car load up from Ledbury;  the poignant moment with the visitor from Sussex whose granddaughter had been cared for at the Hospice;  Hilary’s scarecrow poem; Emily’s face-painting.

Thanks to everyone who took part in any way. 

The final amount raised was £929.70 of which £679.7 went to St Michael's Hospice and £250 went to the Church.

 In the meantime, the winners:  The favourite scarecrow(s):  Bill and Ben

                                                    The most correct answers: Winner:  Catherine Gent

                                                                                                  Runner-up:  Karen Bain