Parish Council Update

Yesterday evening I attended a regular monthly meeting of Loughton and Great Holm Parish Council, to give the councillors an update on how the arrangements for the trail are progressing. As my report gives a good ‘potted summary’ of what is planned for the trail, I though I’d publish it here.

1. There will be a good display of scarecrows

To date I’ve had 59 entries for the trail, including:    

• 29 adults / families
• 8 children
• 10 businesses
• 12 schools and children’s organizations

More actual scarecrows will be on show, as several entries are tableaux.

2. We have a Scarecrow Trail

The trail has been provisionally mapped out. The extended trail is about 5 miles long. Of the 59 entries, only 17 are outside the old village and the Bradwell Road, so it is possible to see 70% of the ‘crows’ by walking a shorter route within the old village core. I am working on a car trail that will take in the longer route and checking its accessibility for wheelchairs, scooters etc.  Certificates will be awarded to those who complete the extended trail!

3. There will be prizes!

Prizes will be awarded to the winning ‘crows’, but I have settled on vouchers to spend at leading MK stores, rather than cash prizes:

• ·      The first prize in the Family competition will win £50, with two runners up each winning £20.
• ·      In the Children’s class, the winner will receive a voucher for £20, and the two runners up £10 each.
• ·      The winning Organization will receive a £50 to spend at a leading luxury chocolate retailer.
• ·      The winning School / Children’s Organisation will win a voucher for £80, and the two runners up £30 each.
• ·      Finally, the scarecrow that receives the most votes in the Visitors’ Choice will receive a gift voucher for £50.

There will also be plenty of rosettes to award to other scarecrows.

4. Judges

Three Judges have been appointed, one from MK Arts Gateway and two from MK Gallery. 

5. Raffle

Tickets are now available for sale at 50p each. Prizes already pledged include: a first prize of £100.00, a summer hamper, an adult and an under 16 Go Kart Experience at Daytona, a month’s free subscription to Fusion Fitness and a stylish, contemporary quilt.

More prizes will be added closer to the event.

6. Timeline

Between now and the end of June - just over a month to go – all the entrants onto the trail should be busy building their scarecrows. The event proper kicks off on Friday 28^th June.

Noon on Friday 28^th June – all scarecrows to be on display for judging. This will take place during the afternoon. Winners announced and rosettes awarded to prizewinners on Friday evening.

10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Saturday 29^th June and Saturday 6^th July, and 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Sunday 30^th June – All Saints’ Church open to trail visitors.

Daylight hours from Monday 1^st July to Friday 5^th 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.

7. Goings On Up at the Church

When the Church is open at weekends visitors will be welcomed to the following additional attractions:

• ·      Trail Guides and Raffle Tickets on sale,
• ·      Plant Swap Stall,
• ·      Crafts Stall
• ·      Second Hand Book Stall
• ·      Embroidery Exhibition
• ·      Refreshments and Cakes on sale in the Church Room in the afternoons.

8. The Grand Finale of a Scarecrows’ Supper.

This will be held in All Saints’ Church between 7.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m. on Saturday 6^th July. There will be a ‘Bring and Share’ supper, in which all the basic ingredients like bread, butter and spreads, dips and pickles, nibbles and crisps, salads, fruit and soft drinks will all be provided and each family, couple or individual who attends will be asked to provide a small sweet or savoury contribution to the feast. We are hoping to emulate the ‘miracle of the loaves and fishes’ in ensuring that, by asking for a small additional contribution from supper-goers, everyone will have enough to eat!

Tickets will be available soon at a price of £4.00 per adult and £1.00 per child. After the first 2 children, the rest come free, so a family of 4 or more can come to the supper for £10.00.

After supper, there will be entertainment that will include:

·      an ‘All Saints’ Variety Performance’;

·      the winner of the ‘Visitor’s Choice scarecrow will be announced;          

·      The Grand Raffle prizewinners will be drawn;

·      There will be a Scarecrow Auction; and

·      An Auction of Gifts and Promises. (an hour’s gardening advice, unique car trips with ‘Mr. Toad’, more Daytona experiences, and a patchwork quilt have already been promised)

9. Thanks

Finally, I thanked the Parish Council for its support of the initiative, for arranging publicity in the Parish Magazine and on the Parish Website, and especially to the Parish Clerk for pinning up posters on all the Parish Notice-boards.