Village’s scarecrow festival is hilarious stuff

3:40pm Sunday 5th October 2008

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SCARECROWS of all shapes and sizes proved to be a big attraction as people flocked to a north Hampshire village’s first-ever scarecrow festival.

About 1,500 people went along to St Mary’s Church, in Kingsclere, during the festival to see and vote for their favourite of 88 scarecrows made by local residents, schools and organisations.

A bell-ringer, Harry Potter and Sergeant Pepper were all among the imaginative melee of stuffed figures, while one patient Kingsclere resident went a step further and became a live scarecrow called Loo-Loo for the weekend.

A scarecrow creation modelled on the church’s own Lucy Thirtle occupied the pulpit – and the vicar was clearly amused.

She said: “It’s wonderful and we have been overwhelmed by the support for the event and amazed by people’s creativity and sense of fun.

“It has brought so many people into the church and raised the profile of our fundraising project.”

The scarecrow festival coincided with the launch of St Mary’s Keystone Project Plan to raise vital funds for work including replacing the boiler, installing disabled access toilets and general redecoration and restoration.

The festival – including a “Harvest of English Music” concert attended by the borough mayor and a “back to church” service – raised £3,000.

The scarecrow festival was the brainchild of Hazel O’Leary, musical director of The Kingsclere Singers.

Mrs O’Leary, of Union Lane, Kingsclere, said: “We sent out about 45 letters and got 88 scarecrows!”

Bryony White, of Knowle Crescent, created her scarecrow “Kurt Keystone” with her husband Phil. She said: “I have never made one before – it was absolutely hilarious!”

The church will hold a series of fundraisers over the next few years to support its project plan, including an autumn concert in November.