Scarecrow Festival Weekend 2006

By Scarecrow Royal Command

King Arthur and Queen Guinevere request and command the attendance of their Knights, Lords and Ladies, their servants and retainers, and all their retinues, at the Church of St. Peter, in the parish of Witherley for the weekend of 26th to 28th of August in the year of our Lord 2006, to witness the investiture of a new Knight, and to celebrate this auspicious occasion with three days of holidaying, merrymaking, feasting and jousting.
All other scarecrows are welcome in the village to share in the joyous occasion, and to help to raise monies for Good Causes, graciously
supported by their Scarecrow Majesties.

As usual the event will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, 26th, 27th and 28th August, from 10 am to 6 pm daily.

WITHERLEY SCARECROW FESTIVAL 2006

The new Committee for the Festival 2006 was elected at the Annual General Meeting on 14th November 2005. The Committee is as follows:

Chairman Sue Craig
Secretaries Celia Keeling and Jane Cooper
Treasurer Stephen Craig
Committee members Michael Tillson, Malcolm Sweet, Pat Freer, Claire Shorrock, Irene Frimstone, Danny Roberts, Stuart Briddock, Liz Betts,
Val Graham, Tracey Keeling, Claire Appleyard and Mark Keeling.

COMPETITION A competition was held for the children of Witherley junior school to design a logo for the Scarecrow Festival Committee. The judges were very impressed with the high standard of the entries, and the winner was Matthew Cairns of Witherley, who won £20. There were two runners-up, Olivia Ward of Warton and Josie Carr of Mancetter, who each won £10 and all entrants received some colouring pencils. Matthew’s design will appear on all stationery and on the website.

There will be a further competition to design Shields for King Arthur’s Knights. The designs will be displayed around the village during the Scarecrow Festival and prize will be awarded to the winners. There will be two classes for entries, for ages 5 – 11 and for ages 12- 16 inclusive. There is a template available for the designs. Anyone wishing to enter, please contact Sue Craig on 01827 713182.

PRESENTATION EVENING This had been due to take place in November but we had a blizzard and it was re-scheduled for March 28th. A formal presentation of £6000 was made to Jo Payne, representing the Air ambulance Service. She expressed their deep gratitude to all concerned, especially all villagers who had contributed so much towards the success of the event. Representatives were present from all organisations which had received donations, and messages of thanks were received from all. The Committee is grateful to Witherley Football club for hosting the evening and for providing a buffet.

WEBSITE We are in the process of setting up a dedicated website. The Committee is very grateful to Paul Shone who is undertaking this work. Details will be included here as soon as possible.

FESTIVAL 2006 Please see the proclamation from the Scarecrows royal court.

As well as the special visit to St Peter’s Church, there will also be the following at this year’s Festival:

DUCK RACE Each day on the River Anker at 2 pm – if anyone wishes to sell some tickets for this please contact Sue Craig on 01827 713182

TOMBOLA Each day.

STALLS AND ENTERTAINMENTS Plant stall, children’s fun fair, face painting, history enactments, demonstrations, photographer, brass rubbings, competitions and tug of war and others still to be decided.

REFRESHMENTS in the Parish Rooms.

OUTSIDE BROADCASTS from Anker Radio