Watch out the scarecrows are about!

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Scarecrows of all shapes and sizes will take to the streets of Wilmslow this week for the 4th Wilmslow Scarecrow Festival.

Over 100 straw creations are expected to found on display in shops windows, hanging out on the streets, lurking in hidden corners and even positioned high on the rooftops above local businesses.

They will be on display from Friday June 28th for 17 days - providing lots of colour and fun for families to enjoy.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Wilmslow Dean and members of the Wilmslow Business Group, the Wilmslow Scarecrow Festival will once again transform the town.

Re-cycling Queen Ruth will be visiting Bank Square on Saturday June 29th to officially launch this year's Scarecrow Festival. Created by Rotarian Geoff Shelmerdine (Mr Scarecrow), she is the queen of all things re-cycleable and spends most of her time visiting schools across the country to promote the importance of recycling.

Geoff Shelmerdine said "I just thought it might be an idea to use everyday plastic bottles to create a scarecrow, it took just two days to put together and it was great fun fitting the various shapes into place. So recycle champion Queens Ruth will make her debut in Bank Square on the 29th and looks forward to meeting everyone."

The scarecrows will remain on show until Sunday July 14th and families can take part in the 'Scarecrow Treasure Hunt' with the opportunity to win some great prizes. Entry forms will also be available for the public to collect in Bank Square on Saturdays 29th June, 6th July and 13th July - and also online from wilmslow.co.uk nearer the time.

The Grand Scarecrow Parade will take place around the town on Saturday July 6th, with the giant Rotary scarecrows Rosie and Robin and the Batala Drumming Band, which will be supported this year by Cheshire Young Farmers.

The festival will culminate with a grand display of selected scarecrows at the Wilmslow Show on Sunday July 14th.

Organiser Geoff Shelmerdine commented "As usual enthusiasm is high for the Scarecrow Festival with businessess and the public alike. Most encouraging is the fact that whilst the town has sadly lost some retailers over the past twelve months, new ones have replaced them and of these, most have embraced the Scarecrow Festival concept, appreciate it's appeal and understand why being part of and supporting the local community helps us all. New entrants this year currently total 20!

"Unfortunately there are national corporates in the town who have no idea of the meaning to belong and support a local community but we can't win them all and we must be grateful for those who do understand what we are about.

"Wilmslow Dean Rotary Club is 'for communities' and the Scarecrow Festival was established to embrace local people and local businesses and every scarecrow entrant during the past three years of the event has enabled us to support local worthy causes and charities. The added bonus is, it puts a smile on your face when a scarecrow pops out of a doorway, hangs from a window or just sits there in a shop window looking resplendent."

All monies raised are used by the Rotary Club of Wilmslow Dean in the community to support local charities and worthy causes.

Do let us know us know about your favourite scarecrows as you spot them around the town, using the comment box below.

Also please do forward any photos you take to [email protected] as we will be putting together a gallery of scarecrows over the coming week.

Photo: Queen Ruth scarecrow who will be visiting Bank Square on Saturday, 29th July.

Tags:
Wilmslow Dean Rotary Club, Wilmslow Scarecrow Festival
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Heidi Sumner
Tuesday 25th June 2013 at 5:22 pm
Already seen some brilliant Scarecrows, love the babies and homage to Kate and William at Pepperberry Nursery on Hawthorn Street!!!

The Green Room have a very theatrical lady on the roof of the porch........
Juliette Marshall
Monday 1st July 2013 at 7:30 pm
There are some fab scarecrows around Wilmslow, but there is a lovely one in a garden on Altrincham Road, just before the Texaco Garage. The owner deserves a prize as she always updates her garden buddy. My grandchildren love this scarecrow.