Warwick estate's first scarecrow festival a hit

More than 100 scarecrows appeared in the front gardens of houses over bank holiday weekend for the first Woodloes scarecrow festival.

Various community initiatives have taken place on the Woodloes Park estate during lockdown, including socially-distanced street parties for VE Day, the NHS 75th Birthday and a Door-Step Café, all starting from the ten weeks of 'Clap for Carers'.

Building on this community spirit, resident Lisa came up with the idea of the scarecrow festival and she along with residents Trevor and Katie organised the event.

With funding from SingWell Community Choir and Woodloes Community Centre, the organisers published and printed leaflets, which were delivered to every house on the estate.

Artist and children’s author and publisher, Samuel Langley-Swain supplied the artwork for the leaflet.

104 families signed up to take part in the event.

In the week prior to the bank holiday weekend, every exhibitor was hand-delivered a poster to display alongside their scarecrow, to encourage visitors to donate dried or tinned foods, or cash to the Warwick District Foodbank, via a collection point at the Woodloes Tavern.

Donations have been coming in over the last few days, including a generous van-load of goods from Morrison’s in Myton Road.

On Sunday afternoon, the Mayor of Warwick, Cllr Terry Morris and his consort, Liz Jackson, attended the festival, with a reception at The Woodloes Tavern, hosted by landlord, Martin Goode, to meet the festival organisers and representatives from Woodloes Community Centre, SingWell Community Choir, Warwick District FoodBank trustees, and the festival artist.

The group then did a walking tour of the estate, taking in as many exhibits as possible, meeting the families who created the scarecrows.

All weekend, families have been out, following the festival map, stopping to chat with friends and family and exhibitors, walking, cycling or driving around the estate.

The organisers decided not to run it as a competition this year and there was a 'free-style' theme.

The range of scarecrows included; scouting, Bhangra dancing, a scarecrow wedding, Mr Potato Head, traditional scarecrows, speed police, and scarecrows made by children and grandparents based on TV or film characters.

Plans are already afoot for a follow-up festival and the same organising trio are now looking at a community event this winter.

The organisers want to thank everyone who took part and to all who supported Warwick District Foodbank.

Warwick Mayor, Cllr Terry Morris said: "Well done to everyone who has taken part in the first ever Woodloes Scarecrow Festival.

"Thank you to everyone who made us feel so very welcome - both by meeting and greeting us at The Woodloes Tavern and then as we walked around Woodloes Park to see some of the 104 scarecrows on display.

"Last weekend's festival not only brought a smile to many people's faces, but also raised much-needed donations for the Warwick District Foodbank. "

To see more photos of the scarecrow festival go to: https://www.warwickcourier.co.uk/news/people/heres-few-pictures-woodloes-scarecrow-festival-2959269