Ingenious! The eyes flash as you approach it.
It must be Summer because it’s annual scarecrow festival time again in two of our local villages. Last year Elwick truly excelled themselves with a Royal Jubilee theme. Can a year have passed so quickly? This year we’re indulging Midsummer Madness.
I timed it very nicely on Sunday morning because within seconds of returning home it was bouncing with rain. Summer, Wimbledon fortnight (sorry Rafa), rain on your strawberries- it’s all one!
Welcome to Elwick!
The theme this year was Midsummer Madness.- here he is!
And that’s “his” foot you can see round the corner!
Almost every planter has one of these.
But there’s only one caterpillar!
Some ladies sat aloof on a bench
But Bertie Bassett was right there on the village green
And the Spotted Cow’s always in the thick of things
Snowmen at the beach- that’s definitely madness!
A hula-hula girl- that’s more like it.
The village shop went a little crazy!
And every scarecrow festival needs a pink pig, right?
The village shop was selling these little guys
And gals!
It’s a pretty village, don’t you think?
With its own Queen of the Fairies- Titania
The school’s entry featured Bottom, of course
And Puck!
While over the road things were going swimmingly!
Note the umbrella pointing to the sign.
Looking at those clouds it’s nearly time to run!
And that’s just half the story, because the two villages compete. In the interests of fairness I went to Castle Eden on Monday. It was a grey, surly day and some of the scarecrows had had a good soaking from the downpour. But the village spirit was still in evidence.
Cricket, anyone?
Another Bottom?
And Madness gets in everywhere!
It’s a smaller village than Elwick
But still has a lively sense of humour!
And a splash of colour here and there
Guess who?
I really like this old row of houses
With a more traditional scarecrow
Add a touch of whimsy
Barbecue time, or Christmas? I’m not sure.
But definitely not a beach day!
A good effort by both, I think you’ll agree? Next year we’ll plan the weather better. If you click on the galleries you’ll get my guided commentary. All part of the service! (with a smile) And if you still haven’t had enough of scarecrows, you can click the Royal Jubilee link for a look back at last year’s sumptuousness.
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restlessjo 
Where else but in England? Madness, but brilliant!
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You must have a few Scottish scarecrows, Lorna? 🙂
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So much whimsy and creativity here!
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Good old British humour, Tricia! Takes our mind off the weather. 🙂
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Has it been a rough spring summer there too? Here in Germany’s Alps, we haven’t really seen the sun in a week.
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Bit of a mixed bag, Tricia. A couple of nice days and a lot of overcast skies. They make good “moody” photos. 🙂
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the fanciest scarecrows i have ever seen jo …. lots of work and lots of fun i imagine 😀
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Brilliant fun, Christine. I love it! 🙂
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AWESOME POST!
We do this in the fall out on our front steps as Halloween approaches we decorate entrance ways with beautiful Mums and Scarecrows and some town have contests 🙂
Maybe I will see if Garden Club wants to run one for best Scarecrow In The Front Yard and pass out CASH 🙂 I will be the club photographer 🙂 and share with you 🙂
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Good idea, Eunice, but I hope that’s still a long way off. Summer is still trying to get into its stride over here. 🙂
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Here as well we are under the gun here in New England for Flash Floods and the poor mid section of our country burns up in the heat with no rain in sight 😦
It takes a long time for us to plan something as we only meet once a month so your timing is PERFECT!
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Glad to be of service. 🙂 🙂
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🙂
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I love it when people have fun and this looks fun. And I can’t believe a year has passed so quickly.
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It’s a chance to wander round a very pretty village and talk to people, TBM, and I like that. Plus, I’m like a big kid with the scarecrows. 🙂
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I love (and secretly envy) the creativity.
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Me too, Ana! Me too. 🙂
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Love the pink pig, and the beach babies, particularly the snowmen are hilarious! But my prize goes to the but crack showing mechanic 😆
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Oops, I think I missed a ‘t’ there!
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Yes, he’s an “appealing” individual, Madhu! Bit cheeky 🙂
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😀
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So impressed with how much work people have put in – what a great tradition.
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Elwick is a beautiful village to walk around, Lucy, but we tend to drive straight through it on the way to the A19. The scarecrows are a great excuse for a wander, and everyone’s so friendly. 🙂
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What a fun tradition, Jo, and so much effort has gone into these scarecrows. I love the last one. Optimistic with the bikini, but pessimistic with the umbrella. 🙂
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And headless too, Ad! Something for everyone. 🙂
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A scarecrow festival! What a wonderful idea, and obviously, it’s an easy way to tap everyone’s creativity, and use available materials. Great photos and fun post Jo. ~James
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I look forward to it every year, James. Good job I don’t live in the villages- I’m pretty duff at making things. 🙂
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So schöne Bilder lieber Gruß und einen schönen Nachmittag.Gislinde
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Danke, Gislinde. Guten tag. 🙂
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😀 These are so funny and imaginative 🙂 Thank you for sharing, Jo 🙂
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I love them, Paula. They always make me smile. 🙂
When you’ve a spare minute, come look through my windows for last week? (23) You might enjoy my industrial heritage.
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I most certainly will. Thank you, Jo.
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Impressive, very well captured… 🙂
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I’m like a big kid all over again when the scarecrows come to town, Drake. They’re great fun. 🙂
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