Following the examples set by villages and towns such as Kettlewell, Tatton Park and, closer to home, Helmshore, Whitworth has launched it first ever Scarecrow Festival.
The Festival was officially launched at the Family Fun Day on Sunday 10 July, and 25 entries were received within the first 24 hours. The scarecrows will be displayed across the town during the Festival week of 5 – 11 September and the winner will be announced at the Rushcart on 11 September.
Entry forms are now available from the offices of Whitworth Town Council, the Riverside, UBS and Whitworth Post Office. An entry form can also be downloaded from the Whitworth Town Council website at www.whitworth.gov.uk. All entries must be received by 11 August in order to qualify for the Festival and be included on the Scarecrow Trail map.
Entry costs £3 per scarecrow display and is open to all homes, organisations and businesses in Whitworth. A map (trail) of all entries will be produced and entrants will be asked to display their scarecrow(s) from Monday 5 September - Sunday 11 September in a prominent position at their home or business (front garden or window, end of drive etc) to allow the judging to take place and for people to come and marvel at their creativity.
The scarecrow could be a traditional one, or perhaps a representation of a person or character. Ideas include a pair of scarecrows, a scarecrow 'scene' from a famous film or show, a fireman scarecrow, a Peppa Pig scarecrow or a Captain Jack Sparrow? The only limit is the imagination!
For more information, please contact Whitworth Town Council on 01706 852018 / info@whitworth.gov.uk or The Riverside on 01706 854130 / riverside-whitworth@zen.co.uk. The Scarecrow Festival is a Whitworth Tourism and Leisure Committee initiative.
