Torteval Scarecrow Festival raises £16k for local causes
Torteval Scarecrow Festival raised about £16,000, despite the rain and a worldwide Microsoft IT outage.
Funds raised will be distributed to a number of Guernsey charities, while Parkinsons Guernsey and the St Peter Port Lifeboat collected an additional £5,000 in lieu of parking fees.
‘We had a happy and successful weekend. 43 families or groups entered scarecrows of a very high standard which were highly praised by our judges,’ said co-organiser Sue Brooks.
‘A remarkable effort all round.’
Entrants were all vying to claim a prize in one of 11 categories, which could have seen them win cash prizes, trophies, or vouchers.
In first place overall was won by the Matthews family for their RNLI-themed entry, claiming the overall trophy and tickets for the Travel Trident.
The people’s vote went to Torteval Jacques, which also took second place overall. The terrifying jack-in-a-box caused more than a few scared squeals on the day. It saw makers Mark and Jane Hollingsworth win a bottle of wine and a Sunday lunch for two at the Driftwood Inn.
The GSPCA took home a cash prize of £50, as its display Not Just Trapped Horses came in third.
The Family Placement Service also took home £50 for winning the most original category, with Could You Foster?
Chris and Terry Snell won for funniest entry with Too Full of Spirit – an entry which later became more famous for having its bicycle stolen and later recovered.
Le Murier’s Year 7 entry won a trophy for Plastic Will Make Our End Drastic, while Torteval Pre-School took a trophy home for No Bunnies Ear.
The Torteval Scarecrow Festival has been confirmed to return next year on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July.
