Scarecrow Fesitval
With photographs by Peter Hood.
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Newnham was abuzz over the weekend of 21/22 and 23rd May, it seemed as if everyone in the village was making their way to or from the church. Over 40 scarecrows of all shapes and sizes had been arriving all Friday morning and when by 5pm the rustic congregation was in place, they witnessed a shocking happening – the Princess, Rev Juliet and her assistant Ellie were chased and captured by the wicked Baron Phillip Haynes and locked up in the church tower. Although the many children there who saw this deed were concerned for their safety they managed to consume a fair number of jellies, cakes and ice cream. Later that evening while nibbling snacks and drinking wine, many of the scarecrow constructors and others from the village came to inspect the competition and see who had won the prizes. The range and ingenuity of the scarecrows on parade was of an unbelievably high standard – and also very funny.
The next morning thankfully a team of hunky men from SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) were on hand to overpower the baron and effect a rescue. During the rest of the day the church and churchyard were full of people of all ages, children keen to see their teddy bears being hauled up to the church tower, so they could parachute down to earth and have any minor injuries treated at the teddy bear hospital and at the same time other children were having their faces painted or doing the scarecrow quiz. Food of various sorts was available all day – a BBQ in the churchyard, coffee and cake, a full lunch with salad bar and cream teas in the afternoon in the church. Sunday morning saw a steady stream of those who had not been able to visit on the previous days making their way around the church and in the afternoon the festival finished with Songs of Praise led by the Rev’d Juliet.
While the event raised a considerable sum for SARA and the work of the parish it was the enjoyable participation of so many people in this large community event which will stay in people’s minds over the coming months.