Peter Rabbit scarecrow wins inaugural village contest

A PETER Rabbit-themed scarecrow was crowned the overall winner at the first Goring trail.

Nineteen businesses and families created scarecrows and decorated them using items bought and found around the house.

There were five overall winners across four categories for scariest, funniest and cutest scarecrow.

More than 200 trail maps were sold for children and their parents to parade around the village during the October half term to mark their favourite displays. The event was organised by the Goring Grocer, the Catherine Wheel pub, Goring Hardware and Inspiration.

The Ram Family, who live in Millers Close, were crowned the overall winner at a celebration which took place at the Catherine Wheel on Sunday.

They replicated the scarecrow created by Mr McGregor in the Peter Rabbit story, using a blue cardigan and a tub of carrots displayed in a garden. The family were awarded a pub meal voucher.

Joint winners of the scariest scarecrow were Davis Tate estate agents in High Street and the Catherine Wheel in Station Road.

Brian Harris, branch manager at Davis Tate, created a “scary” man sat on a chair, and used items of clothing found around the house and a mask bought online.

He said: “I bought a mask and one of the girls in the office made the head. I remember going to a Halloween party a couple of years ago and I found a cape and a cane, so I used that. It all came together without too much thought.”

The Miller of Mansfield, a pub in the High Street, was awarded first place for the funniest scarecrow, with a LED lit cut pumpkin head and pumpkins for a bottom.

Kate Cheng of Goring library created Goldilocks and the Three Bears with a volunteer, Lisa Hewlett. Their creation was crowned the cutest scarecrow.

More than £320 was raised for the charities The Hub in the Arcade and Helen and Douglas House.