A large map of loughton has
appeared on my living room wall, and I’m busy marking it up with the addresses
of all our competitors. The 'bones' of a trail are gradually emerging from the
chaos, and the trail is already beginning to shape up quite nicely.
Most of the scarecrows are
concentrated along the main routes through the village, and it may be possible
to join sections of the trail together by passing through some attractive open
spaces that have other features, like playgrounds that will appeal to young
children, or sections of the linear park.
One of the reasons why my
call for entries has closed so far in advance of the event, is because over a dozen
scarecrows will need either to find a host garden, or to be found space up at All
Saints’ Church. I’ll be writing to those competitors living in the outlying
parts of the village over the next week or so, to discuss the best location for
their scarecrows, in order to ensure that each scarecrow will be seen by as
many visitors as possible. I’ll also be asking houses along the trail route
that have large and visible front gardens but no entry of their own, if they
would be willing to ‘host’ a scarecrow.
There is plenty of room to
display ‘homeless’ scarecrows in the churchyard that surrounds All Saints’, and
in our graveyard across the road from the church. However, the scarecrows in
these locations will only be viewable when the church itself is open; that is, between
10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. on Saturday 29th June and Saturday 6th
July, and from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 on Sunday 30th June.
I am not proposing
to leave any scarecrows out in the church grounds unattended, in case they are
damaged. I’m planning to put them all out on display each morning before the
trail opens at 10.00 a.m. Outside these hours, I will store the scarecrows inside
the church.
Makers who are able to look
after their scarecrows in their own gardens have been asked put their exhibits
out on display during daylight hours for the whole of the week in which the
trail will be open. So far, my scarecrows have not been vandalised, and I’m
hoping that by having them on private property, this will not happen.
One benefit of displaying
as many scarecrows as possible in competitors’ own garden will be that local
residents will be able to follow parts of the trail during the week, perhaps strolling
around the village on warm, sunny summer evenings. Makers will be able to chat
with visitors walking by on the trail, and lap up admiring comments and praise.
Sounds idyllic!
By spreading the trail over
two consecutive Saturdays as well as the week between, I’m hoping that the
notoriously tricky English weather will be kind to us for at least some of the
time. Here’s the timetable for what I have planned so far.
Noon on Friday 28th
June – all scarecrows to be on display for judging.
This will take place during the afternoon.
Evening of Friday
28th June – Winners announced and
rosettes awarded to prizewinners.
10.00 a.m. to
5.00 p.m. on Saturday 29th June – All Saints’ Church open. Churchyard and graveyard scarecrows on
display. Trail Guides and Raffle Tickets on sale in the Church. Plant Swap
Stall, Crafts Stall and Preloved Book Stall open in the Church.
2.00 p.m. to 5.00
p.m. on Saturday 29th June - Refreshments and
Cakes also on sale in the Church Room.
11.00 a.m. to
5.00 p.m. on Sunday 30th June – All Saints’ Church open to visitors after Morning Worship. Churchyard
and graveyard scarecrows on display. Trail Guides and Raffle Tickets on sale in
the Church. Plant Swap Stall, Crafts Stall and Preloved Book Stall open in the
Church.
2.00 p.m. to 5.00
p.m. on Sunday 30th June - Refreshments and
Cakes also on sale in the Church Room.
Daylight hours
from Monday 1st July to Friday 5th July. Scarecrows in private gardens and at local schools and business
premises will be out on display. However, All Saints Church will not be open
during the week.
10.00 a.m. to
5.00 p.m. on Saturday 6th July – All Saints’ Church open. Churchyard and graveyard scarecrows on
display. Trail Guides and Raffle Tickets on sale in the Church. Plant Swap
Stall, Crafts Stall and Preloved Book Stall open in the Church.
2.00 p.m. to 5.00
p.m. on Saturday 6th July - Refreshments and
Cakes also on sale in the Church Room.
7.00 p.m. – 10.00
p.m. on Saturday 6th July. ‘Bring and Share’
Scarecrows’ Supper at All Saints Church. The evening’s entertainment after
supper will comprise:
- an ‘All Saints’ Variety Performance’;
- the winner of the ‘Visitor’s Choice Scarecrow Competition’ will be announced;
- The Grand Raffle prizewinners will be drawn;
- there will be a Scarecrow Auction;
- and, an Auction of Gifts and Promises.
Entry will be by ticket
only; £4.00 per adult, £1.00 each for the first two children with additional
children admitted free, so that a family of four (or more) can enjoy the
evening for £10.00. All proceeds from the Scarecrow’s Supper will go to
maintain All Saints’ Church.
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