Scarecrow festival attracts large crowds

A scarecrow festival attracted more than 100 entries that were outstanding in their field.
One of the colourful scarecrows at the event.One of the colourful scarecrows at the event.
One of the colourful scarecrows at the event.

The event, organised for the first time by the Friends of East Boldon Parks, was held at Grange Park in East Boldon today.

In the run up to the big day, the parks support group invited residents and community groups in East Boldon to put their artistic skills to the test by making scarecrows to enter into its competition.

One of the colourful scarecrows at the event.One of the colourful scarecrows at the event.
One of the colourful scarecrows at the event.
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Organisers were blown away by the response, with 120 scarecrows entered into the competition.

Claire Camsey, chair of the Friends of East Boldon Parks, was delighted with the huge turn out to the event and hopes it will become a regular occasion.

She said: “We are really pleased with how it has gone.

“The whole community has come out and supported us and we have seen some amazing scarecrows, so it has been really difficult to choose the winners.

East Boldon's scarecrow competition judges Jim Cokill and Fred Rylance (R).East Boldon's scarecrow competition judges Jim Cokill and Fred Rylance (R).
East Boldon's scarecrow competition judges Jim Cokill and Fred Rylance (R).

“There were three prizes for the entrants and even then we could have done more, as the scarecrows are so intricate and we have seen so much effort gone into them.”

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The friends of East Boldon Parks have been holding fun days in the village for the last 12 years, but with new members joining the committee they thought it was time to bring new ideas to the table and decided to hold a scarecrow event after seeing the success of others around the country.

Claire added: “The aim of our group is to maintain and protect the parks and to bring the community together to enjoy green spaces in the village.”

A number of businesses and community croups came along to the event to showcase what they offered and to put on a range of activities.

Coun Joan Atkinson at the event.Coun Joan Atkinson at the event.
Coun Joan Atkinson at the event.

Fire cadets from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and youngsters from East Boldon Scout group were also involved in the event.

The day featured live music from Peter Whale, Sarah Connolly and The Black Corner Band.

There was also a cake competition and a farm themed vegetable figure competition.