More than 2,500 schoolchildren, gardeners, beekeepers, puppeteers, Morris dancers and other visitors celebrated the start of spring in Ewell this weekend.

Surrey Comet:

Scarecrow competitions, and floral and garden displays were held at the Herald of Spring festival at Bourne Hall in Spring Street, Ewell on Saturday, March 12.

From December: Hand-crafted knitwear, greeting cards and doggy bow ties: Christmas Gift Market comes to Bourne Hall, Ewell

Ashtead Garden Centre, Epsom Mayday Flower Club and Ewell Horticulturalist Association created beautiful floral and garden displays, Hobbledown Farm put on puppet shows and displayed creepy crawlies, while What’s On in Epsom ran a spring market featuring about 40 stalls.

From February: Beauty of sunsets and convenience of finger-painting inspire Worcester Park artist

Children from local primary schools and youth groups were encouraged to build Scarecrows from History which were judged by mayor of Epsom and Ewell, Councillor Chris Frost.

Surrey Comet:

St Christopher’s School in Epsom were awarded first prize for their entry of Queen Elizabeth II (pictured above).

Another Elizabethan queen was in second place as Southfield Park Primary School from Epsom won second place with a Queen Elizabeth I scarecrow.

Danes Hill School in Oxshott ended up in third with their model of the father of evolutionary thought, Charles Darwin, while Ewell Grove Infant and Nursery School were commended for their entry of children’s author Beatrix Potter.

From January: Dame Jacqueline Wilson talks to us ahead of Bourne Hall meet and greet

Councillor Jan Mason, chairman of the Leisure Committee said: "Well done to all who took part in the Scarecrows from History competition. The entries were very creative with a lot of thought and work put into them.

“Congratulations to all the winners.”

Surrey Comet:

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