Village planning first scarecrow festival
FAMILIES and businesses are exercising their imaginations, Worzel Gummidge style, as a village celebrates its very first scarecrow festival.
After witnessing the success of long-standing community mannequin-making elsewhere, five friends decided to organise a home grown version for Desford.
Leaflets inviting householders to take part have been distributed and a pre-term-end assembly at the primary school ensured excitement among village youngsters.
With ‘entertainment’ as the theme the festival will kick off over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Pals, Kate Twitchin, Laura Carr, Pat Crane, Alex Stretton and Holly Clawson are behind the initiative.
Kate said: “One of my oldest memories growing up in the village was the primary school gala, which used to be massive and it would be so nice to think we can have an annual event which brings the whole village together. We would love to see more than 50 scarecrows out there.”
Laura said: “We’ve managed to get some sponsors and the Bluebell Inn is on board, running a beer festival to tie in with it. We want it to be more than people just going around the village to look at the scarecrows but want a real festival vibe with as many groups taking part as possible.”
Money raised from the weekend will support Desford in Bloom, a voluntary group formed to brighten up the village and build community spirit - exactly the same ethos as the scarecrow festival.
Laura, who is involved in Desford in Bloom, itself only two years old, added: “We created a subcommittee to raise funds and after seeing the scarecrow festival at Market Bosworth thought it would be a really good idea to do the same here.”
Scout and guide groups have been informed about the festival and enthusiasm to get stuck in and create colourful decoys has been high.
Alex said: “I don’t think we’ve spoken to anyone who doesn’t think it’s a good idea and lots of people have said they will be building a scarecrow.”
Sponsors include the Desford dentist and doctors’ surgeries, Baby Blossom baby massage group, the Desford Express store, AC Valve Alliance and Principles Hairdressers.
Neil Emery, a design consultant who lives in the village, has offered to donate design and printing, while staff at Caterpillar are helping through their Caterpillar Cares group.
The weekend will include the scarecrow trail, a mad hatters tea party, children’s crafts, family fun day, beer festival and activities at the Bluebell Inn, live music, falconry, children’s scarecrow trail and best scarecrow competition with cash prizes.
Entry forms for scarecrows need to be submitted by July 31 at either Desford Express, Newbold Road Co-op or Desford Library.
For more information email dibfundraising@hotmail.com or call 07543 385 323.