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Farmers’ hay bale decorations make fields festive again

FESTIVE hay bales have been popping up to make everyone smile this Christmas.

Liz Naftel with her version of Rudolph at the farm in Route des Fauconnaires, St Andrew’s.  (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 26625491)
Liz Naftel with her version of Rudolph at the farm in Route des Fauconnaires, St Andrew’s. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 26625491) / Guernsey Press

The farming community has been busy decorating and transforming hay bales into snowmen, reindeers and a Father Christmas, as a fun and festive addition to their parish for people to see and enjoy as they venture past.

Liz Naftel, one of the festive farmers, created a reindeer with her family.

‘It’s been four years since we last made Rudolph,’ she said.

‘He’s had a break, but it’s Christmas and he makes people smile so we’ve brought him back, it’s been great fun getting him ready.

‘He’s got a silage bale for his body and a hay bale for his head, then my husband welded some antlers and he has a red ball for his nose.

‘We’ve also put timed fairy lights on his antlers and nose, lighting him up at night from 5pm for passers-by to see – it’s been nice to do something for the parish.’

The reindeer can be seen along Route des Fauconnaires in St Andrew’s, where neighbours and other locals have appreciated the festive sight.

Katherine Ogier with a snowman and Father Christmas at Le Hechet Farm. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 26629207)
Katherine Ogier with a snowman and Father Christmas at Le Hechet Farm. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 26629207) / Guernsey Press

Other farmers who have also been getting in on the act include Katherine Ogier and her husband. Julian, who created a snowman and Father Christmas on Le Hechet Farm in St Saviour’s for the season.

‘It’s a nice thing to do for the community,’ she said.

‘A cousin from America, who is an artist, came over and helped make them up, but the head fell off because of the storm, it’s such an exposed area. It’s back on now though.’

She said lots of people have been stopping in the road to look and she had received some lovely comments.

‘As farmers we can be really busy, so this is the first time we’ve done it in a couple of years,’ she added.

‘It’s all about timing and then people expect it when you’ve done it before – luckily we really enjoy making them up too.’

A snowman is also hoped to be made and put on display at Grove Farm in St Martin’s.

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