Scarecrows back for a 19th year

The trail, which begins at the parish church, will be open between 10am and 5pm tomorrow and on Sunday.

There will also be stalls, activities, and food stands at the event.

Organising committee chairwoman Susan Brooks said the festival normally attracts up to 8,000 people.

‘We are expecting lots of good things this year, we have 44 scarecrows entered so far,’ she said.

‘The people who make the scarecrows are very creative and have a good sense of humour, so I am sure we can expect some entertaining creations.’

One scarecrow has been made by Mrs Brooks alongside Torteval Church Youth Choir members Ramsay Ismail, 12, and Christine Browning, 14.

It is aptly named Go Away Covid-crow – a hopeful statement for the future of the festival and the island.

The scarecrows are entered by residents, or businesses which have a connection to the parish.

Mrs Brooks hinted that entries centred on a certain English politician who had resigned recently were likely.

Mrs Brooks has been on the organising committee since the first festival in 2004. She said the idea came from a similar event in the Worcestershire village of Belbroughton. She had been trying to think of ways to get the community involved in raising money for the church.

‘It started as a very small event, but has now become one of the major summer events in Guernsey,’ she said.

The scarecrows will be judged by the Lt-Governor, Lt General Richard Cripwell, and his wife, Louise.

n There will be parking in the fields next to the event site, and overflow parking will be available nearby. Entry costs £1.50 per adult and 50p per child.

Parking is free, but donations are welcome.

Tomorrow’s parking donations will go to Clip – Creative Learning in Prison – and Sunday’s to the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association.