Scarecrow festival retains its topicality, sense of humour
CLOWNS, Harry Potter and deputies were among the amusing designs at this year’s scarecrow trail.
Over the weekend, Torteval parish hosted its 16th scarecrow festival.
The first Les Babouins de Torteva was in 2004 and it has been held every year since.
More than 50 scarecrows traditionally line the parish lanes for what is the church’s biggest fund-raiser.
This time there were 53, several of which poked fun at local politics.
Some scarecrows were labelled future members of the Home Affairs and Education committees.
Another was in a vegetable-powered vehicle restricted to 25mph and was being taxed by the mile.
Others were posed to be filling out a long ballot sheet for the upcoming island-wide voting election.
A couple of scarecrows, one made of paper recycling and the other from plastic, were sat together with a sign which read: ‘Just married - but we still can’t have a night out together,’ which amused several passers-by.
But, the overall winners of the competition were Gary and Jan Yarwood with a set called You can tell it’s summer... when all the annoying creatures are out, which saw flies, wasps and bugs hanging from trees with three cyclists beneath them.
Barry, Barbara and Sue Taylor were viewing the trail for the first time.
‘It’s been a good experience, some of the scarecrows are very interesting,’ Mr Taylor said.
‘They’re all clever in their own way – some have even been quite educational.’
Various Torteval residents and groups who entered a scarecrow in the festival took the opportunity to inform islanders about relevant issues such as saving the bees, recycling and pollution solutions.
Niamh Hodson and her daughter Saoirse, 12, were visiting the island from Norwich.
They heard about the event online.
‘It’s very creative and imaginative – we don’t have anything like this at home so it’s been a lovely afternoon walking round seeing all the designs,’ Saoirse said.
Mrs Hodson said their favourites were Room on the Broom and Darth Vader chasing Harry Potter.
‘It’s a great atmosphere and we’ve been very lucky with the weather.
'It’s been a great way to end our holiday,’ she added.
Results
First – You can tell it’s summer... when all the annoying creatures are out, made by Gary and Jan Yarwood
Second – To the Imp and beyond, made by the Matthews and O’Donovan families
Third – Flower power to the bees, made by the Le Couteur and Bedford-Hooper families
Most inventive – I’m in the mood for yoghurt, made by Smithfield farm
Most topical – Election day, made by the McIndoe family
Funniest – Dirty duo, made by the Addlesee family
Groups and businesses from Torteval – Aladdin, made by Chateau des Tielles
Groups and businesses (other) – Help! Where’s the Scout leader?, made by the 9th St Peter’s Scouts.
