Sussex Farmer Wins ‘Most Deer Stared At While Driving’ Award For Third Consecutive Year

By Derek Pebbles, Sussex Correspondent

SUSSEX — A Sussex farmer has won the prestigious Most Deer Stared At While Driving Award for an unprecedented third consecutive year.

Farmer Tom Winstanley secured the title after being intensely observed by deer on 298 separate occasions over the past twelve months.

Judges say it wasn't simply the number of encounters that secured his victory.

"It was the quality of the staring."

"These deer weren't casually looking."

"They were judging him."

Extraordinary Season

Tom first realised he might be heading for another successful year when he drove along a rural lane early one morning.

A deer stood beside the road.

Tom slowed down.

The deer didn't move.

"It just looked at me."

"I looked at it."

"It looked at me some more."

Eventually Tom drove away.

The deer continued watching.

"I could see it in the mirror."

Competition Intensifies

Several other Sussex farmers were considered serious contenders.

One reported 211 deer encounters.

Another recorded 187 deer and an unusually judgemental badger.

The badger was disqualified because this is specifically a deer competition.

Tom nevertheless remained dominant.

Judges awarded additional points when groups of deer stared simultaneously.

His season highlight involved seven deer standing in a field watching him drive past.

"Not one of them moved."

"It was like I'd disappointed them somehow."

Deer Refuse To Explain

The Seagull Times attempted to establish why Sussex deer spend so much time staring at motorists.

Results were inconclusive.

One deer looked directly at our reporter for approximately thirty seconds.

No statement was provided.

We eventually left.

The deer watched us go.

We understand Tom now.

Farmer Honoured

Tom received his award during a small ceremony attended by farmers, countryside enthusiasts and one person who apparently thought it was an agricultural machinery exhibition.

The prize consisted of a trophy featuring a deer staring suspiciously at a tractor.

Tom described the victory as emotional.

"You work hard all year."

"Early mornings. Long days."

"Then you drive home and there's a deer looking at you like you've personally ruined the countryside."

"It's nice to finally get recognition."

Fourth Title Possible

Tom is already preparing for next year's competition.

He believes the standard will be higher.

"There's a bloke near Horsham having an unbelievable season."

Tom isn't worried.

On his journey home from the awards ceremony, he encountered three deer beside a country lane.

All three stopped.

All three stared.

Tom nodded.

"Here we go again."

One deer appeared particularly disappointed in him.

The 2027 campaign has officially begun.