GSPCA Scarecrow Entry Achieves Best-Ever Result with Third Place at Torteval Scarecrow Festival
The GSPCA is delighted to announce that its 2026 Torteval Scarecrow Festival entry, “Hay, Look What We Achieved”, secured third place, the charity's highest-ever placing since taking part in the annual community event.
The award-winning display celebrated some of the most significant achievements and milestones from the past year, highlighting the dedication of staff, volunteers and supporters who make the GSPCA's work possible.
Located once again along the festival trail thanks to the generosity of a local family who kindly allow the charity to use their front garden each year, the display featured a range of key moments from the last 12 months. These included the continued progress of the new GSPCA Wildlife Hospital, which has now reached the roofing stage, the celebration of more than 15 seal pups successfully released over the last 14 years, and recognition of several prestigious awards received by the charity and its team.
Among the highlights was a tribute to Yvonne Chauvel, who recently celebrated 30 years of service with the GSPCA and received the prestigious ADCH and Petplan Animal Care Employee of the Year Award, selected from more than 8,000 nominations from across the British Isles and Ireland.
The annual scarecrow entry was once again masterminded by Seb Goman, affectionately known as the GSPCA's "Head of Scarecrows", who, along with other members of the team, generously gave up their own time to create the display.
Seb Goman said:
“We wanted this year's display to celebrate what the GSPCA has achieved over the past year and to recognise the incredible people behind those successes. It was wonderful to showcase everything from the progress of the new Wildlife Hospital to our seal rescue work and Yvonne's amazing achievement. We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded third place and would like to thank everyone who supported us, visited the display and encouraged us throughout the festival.”
GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said:
“This is a fantastic result and the highest placing the GSPCA has achieved at the Torteval Scarecrow Festival since our first entry in 2015. We would like to say a huge thank you to Seb for leading this project each year and to all of the team members who helped create another wonderful display. Special thanks also go to Luke, who helped transport the display alongside Seb, and to everyone who gave up their time to make it happen.”
“The display reflected what has been an incredible year for the GSPCA. From the seal rescue and release work led by Geoff and supported by our dedicated team and volunteers, to Yvonne receiving international recognition for her outstanding dedication to animal welfare, there has been so much to celebrate.”
“Our entry also highlighted the continued progress of our new Wildlife Hospital as part of the #GSPCABIGGESTBuildAppeal. It is wonderful to see the roofing now being completed and the project continuing to move forward.”
“We are very grateful to the festival organisers for once again putting together such a fantastic community event, to the family who kindly host our display each year, and to everyone who took the time to visit the trail and support all of the amazing entries. Congratulations to all of this year's participants who created some truly outstanding scarecrows.”
The new Wildlife Hospital remains the largest project in the charity's history. Through the #GSPCABIGGESTBuildAppeal, the GSPCA continues to raise funds to complete the state-of-the-art facility, which will provide improved care for the thousands of wild and domestic animals that need help each year.
Anyone wishing to support the appeal can do so by visiting the GSPCA website, making a donation, taking part in fundraising events, sponsoring elements of the build or purchasing a brick through the charity's popular Buy a Brick campaign.
The GSPCA would like to thank everyone involved in creating this year's scarecrow entry, all those who supported the festival, and the wider community whose continued encouragement helps the charity care for animals in need across Guernsey.
Check out more on the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal
To donate to our work and the other animals in our care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
To see animals looking for new homes
https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
To see our youtube channel and lots of videos please visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA
To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog
Upcoming events
- Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 23rd – 27th July 2026
- Summer Guided Tours July/August 2026 to be confirmed
- South Show GSPCA Dog Show Saturday 8th August 2026
- West Show 12th-13th August 2026
- World Lizard Day 14th August 2026
- North Show 19th-20th August 2026
- International Dog Day 26th August 2026
- World Animal Month October 2026
- World Animal Day 4th October 2026
- Feral Cat Day 16th October 2026
- National cat Day 29th October 2026
- Halt Term Spooky Tours October 2026 to be confirmed
- Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 12th November 2026 Ref – Dog12/11
- Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 26th November 2026 Ref – Cat26/11
- Possible Christmas Themed Animal Discovery Trail November/December 2026 to be confirmed with possible Ball
- World Wildlife Conservation Day 4th December 2026
- Festive Tours December/January 2026/7 to be confirmed
- Sidneys Sponsored Events - Grease and Dirty Dancing Saturday 10th April 2027
Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”
“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”
“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”
“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”
“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “
“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “
“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”
"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."
"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."
“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”
“To visit our x page please click here .”
“Thank you for your support.”
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