In Pictures: Rowlands Castle scarecrow trail raises £1600 for local school

Over the October half term, the annual Scarecrow Trail returned to Rowlands Castle, with people of the village displaying an amazing variety of designs in their gardens and businesses.

This year’s trail was the biggest yet, with 34 scarecrows on display.

The theme for 2026 was “What I Want to Be When I Grow Up”, with all donations and money made from trail map sales going to the local primary school, Rowlands Castle St John's. This year’s trial raised over £1600 for the school.

At a prizegiving ceremony for the best scarecrows, the Barnes family’s Scuba Diver won the People’s Choice Award, with the judges’ picking the Lumley family’s baker for first prize.

St John’s Church’s ‘Kind’ scarecrow won best Community Scarecrow, while the Marsh family’s artist won the Eco Award.

Lucy Chapman, spokesperson for the Rowlands Castle St John's PTA, said: “We had a really well attended prize ceremony on Sunday. It really brought the village and surrounding area together with all generations taking part, showing creativity, competition, and community. It is always a really feel-good event and we are already planning for next year!”