Torteval Scarecrow Festival set to return next month

The event will be taking place over the weekend of 23 and 24 July with the trail open between 10am and 5pm on both days.

The new Lt-Governor, Lt-General Richard Cripwell, and his wife Louise, will be the judges.

‘His Excellency had already heard good reports of the festival so it is hoped that the scarecrow makers will be working with renewed energy and creativity to produce the best scarecrows yet to live up to his expectations,’ said event organising committee chairwoman Sue Brooks.

Changes are being made within the organising team as her co-organiser for the past 18 years, Ann Kirby, has stepped down from the committee.

Mrs Kirby said the past 18 years had been great fun but she felt the time was right to encourage younger people with fresh ideas to get involved.

She will still be helping out over the weekend.

‘We also now have a grandchild living on the island, as the others live away,’ she said.

Mrs Brooks, who brought the scarecrow festival idea back with her to Guernsey when she returned from the UK, persuaded fellow parishioners to help organise one locally.

Popularity has increased over the years to the point where up to 10,000 people have attended since the first festival.

‘We met originally with the then rector, Maurice Strike,’ said Mrs Kirby.

‘We didn’t even charge people at first and we had to get a collection plate from the church when people started giving us money.’

Mrs Brooks said she was grateful to Mrs Kirby for her help over the years.

The good news is that new committee members have come forward to help run the event which will be now become more of a parish-run festival than a church one.

There will be parking on both the upper and lower glebe fields next to the event site.

Overflow parking will be available nearby.

The Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association and Clip (Creative Learning in Prison) will be recipients of donations in lieu of parking charges.

Disabled visitors will be able to drive or be driven around the route each day after 6pm when the crowds have dispersed.

‘As usual we hope that as many parishioners, businesses and groups will make scarecrows and if any businesses or groups outside the parish would like to take part please contact me at susan_brooks@cwgsy.net,’ said Mrs Brooks.

‘If anyone would like to help out on the day or with setting up and taking down we would be delighted to hear from them.’