Scarecrows still 'bringing community together'

Villagers say a 25-year-old scarecrow festival "brings their community together" , with some people even starting their creations at Christmas.

Lynn Norris, from Abbotsley in Cambridgeshire, said a resident introduced the idea of scarecrows to the Feast Week festivities in 2000.

She believed the village was the first in the area to include scarecrows and said people were often amazed by their number and size.

The scarecrow festival, which typically takes place in the middle of July during Feast Week, is held in honour of St Margaret of Antioch, Patron Saint of its 13th-century church.

James and Sonya Dixon created an Abbotsley Home Guard scarecrow in tribute to Dad's Army and VE day

James Dixon, 45, who moved from London 12 years ago with his wife Sonya, 50, said it was lovely being part of a community tradition.

"We have come to the village and been really looked after since moving here so I think it's really important to get involved in a tradition like this," he said.

Andy Harris, who has been taking part for about 21 years, said his scarecrows were used to commemorate VE and VJ day

Andy Harris, 74, said he started off by making a Spitfire and added two more scarecrows in a nod to the famous photograph of a kissing couple taken in New York's Times Square in 1945.

He previously won first prize with his scarecrow recreation of the barricades in Les Misérables and has also been a judge for the competition.

"I just enjoy doing it," Mr Harris said.

"I feel I'm quite artistic and like doing these sorts of things, I'm now retired so I've got time to spend a bit more time doing it and I enjoy the reactions from people who see it."