Super straw scarecrows bring smiles to Langford this summer

The event has been organised by Langford Parish Council and resident Steve Hills, who hoped to cheer up the community after the pandemic put a stop to the villagers’ usual summer fun.

Families have enjoyed creating characters from straw and other bits and bobs they have found inside their homes during lockdown, and are looking forward to the judging this weekend (July 11 and 12).

Michelle Albone, parish clerk, said: “It’s been lovely for the village and it’s been nice for residents to walk round and spot the different scarecrows. Everybody has come together.”

Michelle will be judging the funny, new straw characters along with her parish council colleagues, chairman Gill Clarke, vice chair John Shipman, and diary editor Trudy Emery.

There will be prizes available and a villager vote for the community’s favourite scarecrow display is also taking place.

Steve said: “This has really helped to bring parents and children together, and has kept people’s spirits up after events such as the raft race were cancelled.

“I hope people keep their scarecrows up for the rest of the summer after the judging is over. We’ve got about 100.”

One family who has benefitted from the fun of working together is the Kemp family, with sisters Lauren, 34, and Ellie, 32, teaming up with mum Anne, 63, to create seven superhero key workers.

Anne has a dressing up box which has provided the family with a treasure trove of costumes, including a super scarecrow outfit in honour of real-life paramedic, Ellie.

Lauren, who has the scarecrows assembled on her hedgerow, said: “My mum made the fancy dress paramedic outfit for when my sister was at school and wanted to be one. Mum’s got an extensive fancy dress box!

“It’s been absolutely lovely to see children walking past or in the car going ‘Look, there’s a fireman!’ or ‘Look, there’s a nurse!’ It’s been great to see people’s reactions.”