Ex-straw-dinary creations take over Handforth

Homes, businesses and community groups across Handforth are busy getting creative in preparation for their first ever Scarecrow Festival.

Handforth resident resident Janine Murphy, with the assistance of Julie Smith, has organised the fun event to bring the community together and create some fun for everyone to enjoy and be part of this Easter weekend.

Look out for the 132 weird and wonderful creations which will be on display in windows and gardens across Handforth - bringing lots of colour and fun from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th April.

Janine, a solicitor and mum of two daughters, told wilmslow.co.uk "When Handforth was unceremoniously put on the map last month due to its Zoom Parish Council Meeting, I thought it would be good to try and organise something to bring our lovely little community together and something COVID friendly for children and families to enjoy.

"I posted on a community Facebook page to see if anyone fancied doing scarecrows over Easter weekend ... the response was much more than the couple of mums I thought would be game!!!

She added "Handforth is a great place to live and comes together throughout the year, whether it be Christmas Carols in the Paddock on Christmas Eve, Halloween, Remembrance Sunday, clap for carers ... the support we have received for the scarecrow festival is testament to that."

An online map is currently in progress, a link to which will be posted to the facebook group prior to the weekend and there is also a list of all the streets/roads taking part (with the number of scarecrows per street) and the businesses and community groups taking part. The facebook group is 'Handforth Scarecrow Festival'

The winning four scarecrows in all three categories will be awarded rosettes. Organisers have also received some cash donations which will be awarded as prizes for the community groups category as well as facilitating the purchase of some of the Easter Eggs (there is an Easter Egg for every home entry) and the rosettes.

Additionally local businesses have donated prizes for the homes category including a Northern Rail Family Weekend Ticket (worth £250), an Easter Basket containing Easter goodies, an anti-aging facial and a selection of vouchers.