Sunshine, Straw and Scarecrows!

I currently live with my parents in a big village on the edge of a historic market town called Retford. Once upon a time, most people from the village, Ordsall, would have been employed in local mines or in the steel ropes factory located in the village itself. Now that both of these places of employment have closed, many people travel to the surrounding towns and cities to work. The church, called All Hallows, is fairly central to the old part of the village. We also have a couple of pubs and some shops where people may bump into each other for a chat. But because Ordsall is such a large village and because people now work in all kinds of different places, there aren't many times when the community can gather all together. 

So, scarecrows. Around 50 people, families, schools, shops and other organisations volunteer to make a scarecrow. The scarecrows are then put on display all around the village on the Saturday and Sunday of one weekend in the middle of September. A unique number is displayed next to each scarecrow so that 'scarecrow spotters' can vote for their favourite. Orange maps are available from various local shops and and pubs so that people can see where the scarecrows are located. These cost £1 each and people can also use their map to cast their vote for their favourite scarecrow. The scarecrows with the most votes are awarded the golden pitchfork trophies at the community bbq on Sunday evening.

But apart from a bit of fun, what's the point? But does the scarecrow festival really matter?

Yes, it really does matter. Like I said, the opportunities for community engagement in Ordsall are very small. I had a chat with a lady on Sunday afternoon who said 'Even if you've never seen someone before, you know you can have a chat to them if they're holding one of those orange maps!'. I love going round the village and seeing people chatting on street corners, comparing notes and discussing which is their favourite scarecrow!

Equally, I know how difficult it can be to spend quality time with family in this busy and hectic world! Yet families of several generations can enjoy this festival together- it always turns out that there is a scarecrow to suit everybody's taste. This is probably because so many different people design and make the scarecrows! I know one family who came up with the idea of their scarecrow together, portioned out the various elements of the display for different family members to create and then they all got up early and put the scarecrow up together on Saturday morning! 

Also, I think it's important that community events like this are accessible. The maps cost £1 and squash & biscuits are available for free in the Church. A whole family can enjoy a fun afternoon for £1- or if you don't want to buy a map then it's easy to follow everyone else round the village!

But that being said, the scarecrow festival makes money. Our raffle, sponsorship, tea & coffee and map sales have gradually increased over the 6 years that the festival has been running. Last year, beyond all expectations, the festival broke the £1000 mark and we hope to have done the same this year. This is a really big achievement for the Church because the money goes towards the upkeep of the Parish hall. And this money has made such a difference! Over the past few years the hall has had new blinds, new lighting, a new cooker, a new car park surface and lots of lovely new decor. And as our festival coordinator said this year, it may well be worth investing in some new chairs because it was standing room only in the hall at the BBQ this year!

Added to all of this, the festival is a great opportunity for the Church to engage with the community in which it finds itself. The Church is open all day Saturday and Sunday morning for people to pop in for refreshments should they want to. But on a bigger scale, the scarecrow festival hopefully lets people know that the Church is here to serve the community, and that we are available whenever people want us. If that's buying a map and looking at the scarecrows in September, then you are very welcome. If that's popping in every now and then to see what we're up to, you're very welcome. If that's sometimes coming on Sunday morning, you are very welcome. 

So if you find yourself in the North Nottinghamshire area on the 10th and 11th September 2016 then come and join in the fun and spot some scarecrows!