Torteval Scarecrow Festival goes virtually Bailiwick-wide

Now established as one of the most popular events on Guernsey’s summer calendar, the festival has in recent years drawn crowds of about 8,000 people over the two days.

But the global challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic means that the 17th annual festival cannot take place in its usual form so for one year only organisers are planning something a bit different.

‘With assistance from Guernsey’s Digital Greenhouse, the Torteval Scarecrow Festival will be going virtual and we would like to invite all islanders to participate,’ said event co-organiser Sue Brooks.

Households from across the Bailiwick are invited to make their scarecrows and then take a photograph of them on their property, helping to create ‘a fantastic slide show of creativity.’

In addition, those who make scarecrows may display them in their own garden on the weekend of the festival if they so wish.

There will still be a competition.

Deputy Bailiff Jessica Roland will be doing the judging on Saturday 1 August.

There will be a prize for the overall winner and for the best scarecrow in each parish as well as the people’s choice.

The People’s Choice will be a chance to vote for your favourite scarecrows and will be run through the festival’s Facebook page and website. Voting will be open for the public from Friday 31 July until noon on 1 August. All winners will be announced on the Saturday afternoon.

‘The Guernsey Cheshire Home and the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association were to be the recipients of the car park donations this year,’ said Mrs Brookes.

‘In view of the fact that the work of these charities has been severely affected by the pandemic our website will contain a Just Giving page for donations which will be shared between the Scarecrow Festival and those charities.

n Photos of scarecrows must be sent to entries@torteval-scarecrows.org no later than Monday 27 July.

Entrants must include their name, a contact telephone number, the name of the scarecrow(s) and their parish.

Further updates will be available via the Facebook page or at www.cwgsy.net/community/torteval.scarecrows