Holwell Scarecrow Festival: Storming success as impressive figure is raised for charity

The Holwell Scarecrow Festival. Picture: Nigel Eaton (Image: Archant)

Visitors to the village near Hitchin cast more than two hundred votes for their favourite scarecrows out of the twenty-eight displays created by the villagers.

They also enjoyed the hospitality of Holwell Bowls Club and took advantage of their ‘have a go at bowls’ sessions.

Organiser Nigel Eaton told the Comet: “We have had a very successful festival with lots of visitors to our village.

“We hope drivers weren’t too upset by the brief ‘Morris jam’ as Ickwell Green Morris treated us to some traditional dances, which the crowd very much enjoyed. Thanks to them – particularly for keeping going when the heavens opened!

The Holwell Scarecrow Festival. Picture: Nigel Eaton (Image: Archant)

“First prize was won by Chris Kitching for his gardening scarecrow, complete with live chickens.

“Second prize went to Jennifer Webb with Dorothy, proving there really is no place like home – and in third came Larainne Wilsher, with what really was an Absolutely Fabulous display. In fourth, delivering the goods was Kerry Prest with Postman Pat.

“Our ‘name the scarecrow’ competition was won by our new vicar, Rev Mary Fane de Salis, with her guess of Betty – which we think is a great welcome to the village.

“Prizes for all the winners were generously donated by the North Hertfordshire Memorial Park and Crematorium, Growing Strong Nursery, Meadow Farm and Ashcroft Farm. We are very grateful to them for their support.

“The village has really come together to make this event a great success, and we raised an astonishing £770.44 for Garden House Hospice Care.

“Our thanks go to everyone who contributed. I’m already being asked when the next one is!”