The Last Post

I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time and trouble over the past few days, to give me feedback on the Scarecrow Trail. This has been uniformly positive, with plenty of good ideas for how to make things better next time.

Deo volente, there will be a next time, but this will be in June 2015, with the theme, ‘Book, Play or Film’. Meanwhile, members of the church family at All Saints will be putting their heads together over the coming weeks, to think of something completely different to engage and share with our local community next summer.

Our next big event is set to be the ‘All Saints’ Christmas Cracker’, an old-fashioned craft and gift fair up at All Saints’ Church, Loughton MK, in early December 2013. Nearer the time, everyone will be invited to come along to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, with Carols and Storytelling, Santa’s Grotto, a traditional Bran Tub and an Old Fashioned Sweet Stall, Children’s Crafts and Games, and a Contemplation and Prayer Space.

There will also be plenty of Christmas arts and crafts on sale to stock up on those extra-special Christmas presents and to raise money for the church, including Embroideries and Textiles, Christmas Decorations, Greetings Cards and other seasonal gifts, as well as a Grand Raffle and ‘Jambola’. Novelty stalls last year included a ‘Pass on A Present’ stall selling new and pre-loved gifts suitable as Christmas Presents, Vintage Jewellery, Scarves and Handbags, Christmas Plants and Stocking Fillers.

For your delectation and delight, there will be a choice of afternoon tea and cakes or mulled wine and mince pies, a Home Made Cakes and Produce stall, and a Fairtrade Stall selling ethically sourced products from all over the world.

I will conclude this final blog of the 2013 All Saints’ Loughton MK Scarecrow Trail by saying a really big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has played a part in making the 2013 Scarecrow Trail such a great success, whether by building a 'crow' or by following the trail, or by helping out at events associated with it, or even by following this blog over the past few months. Hopefully, I’ll be back in 2015 with news about our next Scarecrow Trail.

Seeking Feedback

Loughton’s first Scarecrow Trail is over, and it seems to have been a resounding success, with 58 competitors taking part and hundreds, perhaps thousands, of visitors going round the trail. Our Treasurer reports that we have raised a much needed £3,000 for All Saints Church. Now that the Scarecrow Trail is over for 2013, I’d be grateful if you could consider the event and give me your opinion on what worked well for you, and where lessons can be learned for the future. Please take a little time to reflect on your experiences, and give me your feedback by answering the following questions and emailing your reply to me, at j.hanson@ucl.ac.uk.

1.   Should we do a Scarecrow Trail again in Loughton? Yes / No

2.   If you participated this year, would you do so again? Yes /No………….or

3.  If you didn’t, would you consider building a scarecrow next time? Yes / No

4. Are you happy for All Saints’ Church to host the trail again? Yes / No

5.  If ‘no’, who do you think should organize it?

6.  If ‘yes’, should the next one take place annually, in 2014 / every two years, 2015?

7.   Should the event take the form of a guided trail similar to this year? Yes/ No

8.  If ‘no’, how do you think the event should be organized?

9.  Should there be competitions or just a display of scarecrows? Competitions / Display

10.            Is June a good time of year for the event? Yes / No

11.If ‘no’ which month would you prefer?

12.Was the timing of this year’s event over 8 days

too short (should last a fortnight) / too long (a weekend would have been enough) / about right?

13.            Bearing in mind that we were trying to locate as many scarecrows as possible in people’s own gardens, was the trail too long / not long enough / about right?

14.           How important is it that scarecrow-builders host their scarecrows in their own gardens? Very important / neither important nor unimportant / unimportant.

15.            What aspects of the trail worked well for you?

16.   What improvements would you like to see to make the event work better for you?

Its time to say 'Goodbye' to those Scarecrows

The trail is over, and it is time for the scarecrows to be re-homed. The idea of a Scarecrow Auction did not really take off, so builders can decide for themselves when to ‘strike’ their scarecrows, and where to put them now the trail has finished. I suspect that many gardens in loughton will have a summer scarecrow visitor this year. Maybe they can be turned into a Guy Fawkes, on Bonfire Night? I’ll be putting up a short survey soon, to take local opinion on how the trail has gone down, and whether it is an event worth repeating. Meanwhile, I’ve got lots of raffle prizes to distribute and some signs to take down.

Angela Bowen's Imaginative Poem, The Trail.

Angela composed this poem especially for the Scarecrows' Supper that marked the conclusion of our trail. She read it at our after dinner entertainment. It is truly inspired! Thank you Angela for allowing me to share it with my readers.

The Trail

By Angela Bowen

Number 1 was at the Church

A bellringer, who didn’t ring bells.

Number 2 was a witch on a broomstick

And she wasn’t making any spells.

Number 3 was a mum and a Dad

And Mum was wearing pink shoes.

And then I walked to Church lane

To see loads of Scarecrow Statues.

A footballer and a guinea pig

And a dog with a shiny handbag,

Number 4, it was wearing a dress.

Was that dog supposed to be in drag?

Number 5 was the Scarecrow of Liberty,

Made by an American I’ve no doubt,

Holding a rake and a watering can,

And with white sheets blowing about.

Number 6 had one wooden leg,

And Number 7 was Kermit in green.

Then I made a wish at Number 8.

I wished that it wouldn’t rain.

More Tea Vicar was Number 9.

He didn’t look like our Dave Bell.

Now what were they talking about?

I’m sure neither of them will tell.

Superman was guarding his house,

And then Woody was at the Woodyard.

Number 12 was down near the Green,

He was Hagrid the giant Wizard.

I remember spotty boots and an umbrella,

Then a Guide in her uniform blue,

And Cinderella in shabbyish clothes.

I hope she goes to the Ball, don’t you?

Number 16 was 3 scarecrows

I’d seen them at Church or on the blog.

Then the witch with the pointed nose,

I hope she won’t turn me into a frog.

Number 18 had plenty of humour,

A lazy chap in a very loud shirt

And someone stuck down a hole,

And a wheelbarrow full of some dirt.

Ere Wiggo was Number 19,

That hero with a flag on is bike.

Then a pirate wielding a sword

And mini ‘G’ I couldn’t help but like.

Two characters from Lord of the Rings

Form a film that I know I have seen.

Then down to Pinks Close where Pinky

Had obviously done some shopping.

Then I was a parachutist way up high,

Then a child who was clearly at play,

Oh, and those magnificent straw horses

Neither of them were heard to neigh.

There was Noah with his Art

And a mermaid with some fishy scales

And another, who’d had so much to drink

Too drunk to tell any tales.

Number 30 was crossing his legs,

And as I walked into London Road

Where Harlequin was juggling with balls,

Over 150 diamonds had been sewed.

Three children were in a car,

And Bradwell Road was now in sight.

Blackbeard, and then Miss Muppet

Complete with spider, who’d given her a fright.

There were many at Loughton School,

Most of them tied to a tree.

A Brownie sat by her campfire.

Everyone has been so busy.

A knight in his tinfoil armour

Straddled the hedge with his horse.

Then on to Cavendish House,

The gardener was Alan Titchmarsh, of course.

Sunflowers and a tennis racquet

Were items on Clyde in Paynes Drive.

And then Keyne was an office worker,

I loved the train by his side.

Loughton First School had Woody and Jessie

And a family all about the Climate.

Then 46 was litter clearing,

A job I’m sure we’d all hate.

A splendid robot I saw in the Meadway,

There was straw sprouting from many a joint.

Then the scarecrow reading a paper,

He liked birds, so what was the point?

A decorator was Number 49

Number 50 was a chef on a break.

51 was that lovely Scarecow

Wearing a pinny, for decency’s sake.

A gardener at manor Cottage

With his plants and a fork, was Brian.

Then Pool House with his red and black kit on,

 And the head and the face of a lion.

Number 54 was rally quite apt,

With a teacher outside of School House.

Then a woman reclined in her bed,

There for B&B at Beech House.

Harry Potter was in the Graveyard

Along with scouts who were by a campfire.

And a Priest with his bow but no arrow,

And now a cup of tea was all I desired.

It’s been great on the Scarecrow trail,

I’ve entered roads where I’ve never been.

I’ve met people and enjoyed conversations,

Oh, I do hope they’ll hold one again!

The Visitors' Choice

Was number 26, Loughton Equestrian Centre’s horses ‘Chillin’ Charlie and Neighing Nellie’. Well done Loughton Equestrian Centre. Your amazing horses have proved a real crowd pleaser. Thank you for all your hard work.

Every One’s A Winner!

Votes are coming in thick and fast for all the scarecrows, and each of the scarecrows has something special that appeals to different viewers. With all still to play for, here are our other brilliant contenders for the “Visitors’ Choice’.

Number 1, ‘The Bellringer’. The judges loved the realistic way this scarecrow was located in the church tower.

Number 3, ‘Family of Scarecrows’. This entry was praised for its charm and the way the characters endeared themselves to the viewer.

Number 6, ‘Old Sea Salt!’ The judges loved the humour of this entry, especially the wooden leg.

Number 8, ‘I Wish!’ This character was felt to be very realistic and expressive.

Number 10, ‘Comic Book Hero’ The judges loved this impressive portrayal of Superman.

Number 13, ‘British Summertime’. Typically British understatement characterizes this charming entry.

Number 14, ‘2^nd Loughton Guides in Action’. The guides were commended for having joined in the fun and for producing a very well made and realistic scarecrow.

Number 15, ‘Rags to Riches’. The judges admired this statuesque scarecrow for its poise and sophistication.

Number 19, ‘Ere Wiggo!’ The judges loved the humour and topicality of this crow.

Number 20, ‘Shiver Me Timbers’. This scarecrow also had great touches of realism and humour.

Number 25, ‘Kompan, Playful Living’. The judges loved the idea that a large commercial organization had taken time to produce this charming portrayal of their products.

Number 27, ‘Building the Ark’. The judges felt that The Grove Independent School had made particularly good use of their existing play sculpture by adding a really impressive Noah, with a fine flowing beard.

Number 31, ‘Diamonds are Forever’. The judges thought that this unusual entry looked lovely in his chequered costume. They liked the fact that he was set in a tree and was surrounded by juggling balls.

Number 39, ‘1^st Shenley Brownies’. This entry seemed to capture the spirit of the Brownies to perfection. The judges loved the fire!

Number 41, ‘Alan Titchmarsh, Retired’. The judges loved the humour of this entry. A traditional, realistic scarecrow with a modern twist.

Number 43, ‘Keyne’. This exhibit was also commended for its humour.

Number 46, ‘The NAGCrow’. The judges loved the thought and amount of detail that had gone into this entry, especially the humorous portrayal of an important local character.

Number 50, ‘Taking a Break’. The judges enjoyed the laid-back feel of this entry, and its original take on the scarecrow theme.

Number 54, ‘Dylan’. This colourful rugby player really impressed the judges with its size, scale and fierce face.

Number 58, ‘Who Fired that Shot?’. The story behind this exhibit was agreed by all the judges to be of great historical interest.  

The Organiser’s Special Awards

These awards have been given to six scarecrows that visitors to the trail have particularly remarked on for their creativity, quirky humour and fabrication skills.

It adds a certain piquancy to know that ‘More Tea Vicar’, number 9, was built by the vicar’s wife!

‘Woody’, number 11 located in Bodley’s Woodyard, is a deliciously dumpy scarecrow with an endearing smile.

‘The Stitch Witch’, number 17, does not look at all like her creator, glamorous, gifted and talented Valerie Jeffries who is also responsible for the inspiring display of embroidery by the All Saints’ Embroidery Group, on display in the church whilst the trail is open. The group meets on a Thursday morning and welcomes new members.

Number 22, ‘The Strawbbit, or Scare and Back Again’ received an award for its quirky take on The Hobbit’s little people.

‘Pinky’, number 23, received hers for the innovative idea of inviting trail followers to join her on her seat for a photo opportunity!

‘Pay Attention!!!!’, number 54, has several connotations that only those ‘in the know’ will appreciate, as he was built by a former schoolteacher and is located at Loughton’s former school. He’s an old fashioned chap who looks very serious and strict.