What a great weekend everyone had at the start of September when the villages first ever Scarecrow Festival was held. The aim was for around 15 crows but in the end, there was almost three times that amount with 44 entries. The theme was Nursery Rhymes and everyone who entered worked really hard to give the judges a very difficult task of judging the eventual winner.

The event was the brain child of sisters Julie Coates and Alison Reynolds who worked extremely hard over several months to pull everything together. They were rewarded with a super day on the Saturday with glorious weather which drew large numbers across both villages viewing the entries.

The Sunday was less pleasant with scattered showers but nonetheless, many people came out and traversed between the entries.

St. Werburgh’s Church was open on the Saturday for maps and refreshment and Kingsley Village Hall likewise on the Sunday.

Overall the event raised some £450 to be split between the hall and the church plus the money they raised through cake and tea sales etc.

The winner of the Judges vote was Old McDonald by Alison Pooler from Hollins Lane with Pussycat Where Have You Been from Churnet Valley Road a close second followed by Mary Mary on Sidney Drive.

Three more were highly commended these being Humpty Dumpty on Cheadle Road, Rub-a-Dub-Dub at Church Farm along with Jack and Jill on Churnet Valley Road.

The people’s vote went to 12345 on Barnfield’s Lane with Little Bo Peep (and her lost scattered sheep!) on Glebe Road coming second.

Said Julie Coates after the event ‘The scarecrows were of an exceptionally high standard and an amazing amount of work had gone into each one. The judges had a really difficult task to decide a winner and we would like to thank them for doing a great job on the day”

She added “There was a real buzz around the villages over the weekend and several people commented on how nice it was to walk around both villages and chat to friends and strangers alike and enjoy a real sense of community”

“Thanks also to St Werburgh’s Church and Kingsley Village Hall for all their help and providing refreshments on both days”

You will be glad to hear that the event will run again next year over the same weekend with the theme to be announced in the new year. Let’s aim for 50 plus this time!

The village hall will once again fully support and assist Julie and Alison but this time we may need some volunteers to help out.
Lastly its worth pointing out that the two villages have far more in common than not and it was great to see the community come together as one.

Long may it continue.