Where's Wally? Appeal launched to find missing Westoe Crown Village scarecrow feared kidnapped

An appeal has been launched to find a missing scarecrow which it is feared to have been kidnapped from his post in Westoe Crown Village, South Shields.

The well-known character was last seen sitting on a bench near the Tesco Express store on Seawinnings Way on Tuesday, May 17.

He is one of South Shields’ newest residents, cropping up in recent weeks following the launch of the inaugural Westoe Crown Village Scarecrow Festival.

The festival – which came about to bring people together during the coronavirus lockdown – has seen an impressive selection of characters taking up residence in gardens along Mowbray Road to Beach Road and Lady Smith Street to Bents Park Road.

Some have been inspired by the current times (such as Lockdown Lil) along with other more recognisable faces – including Bob Marley and Donald Trump, who can be seen suspended from a window on Brass Thill Way.

Wally, who was created by Ashleigh Weir Smith and family had only made his appearance earlier on Tuesday.

At first organisers thought that it must be someone playing an innocent game, but as no one has yet come forward they are appealing to the public to help return Wally safe and sound.

A spokesperson for the festival commented: “I had a message from Ashleigh saying they really wanted to join in but lived off the area and wanted their scarecrow to be seen, so they attached Wally to the bench in the centre of Westoe Crown Village with twine and now he has gone. At first we thought it may have been a game but unfortunately nobody has come forward and now we fear that Wally has been kidnapped.

They added: “We hope that Wally is safe and just in hiding. If anyone has any information please get in touch. It would be good if the person who has him could leave him somewhere to be freed.”

If you know where Wally is, get in touch via the Westoe Crown Village Scarecrow Festival page on Facebook.

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