Barton Mills Scarecrow Festival

This years theme for the 7th Barton Mills Scarecrow Festival was 'Recycling'.



For readers unfamiliar with this annual event I highly recommend paying a visit the next time you're in the area.



Weather permitting, there's usually a huge turnout with numbers estimated to be in the ten thousands.



In 1999 Barton Mills was featured in the Guinness Book of Records for having the most scarecrows ever built at any one time!



Almost all the village residents took part, creating scarecrows out of various household objects.



Visitors to this years festival were entertained with a magnificent performance by the Bunbury Players accompanied by the K.A.T.S School of Dancing.



In addition to this, there were various stalls run by charities and local groups, as well as barbeques, a bar, and plenty of ice cream vans.



There were various interpretations of the recycling theme. From popular television characters such as Dr. Who and Postman Pat, to persuasive slogans extolling the many virtues of recycling.



I think we would all agree that recycling has been in the media a lot lately, but it's only with local events like this that we can really get the message across to more people.



New to this years festival was the 'Turn Off' prize awarded to the best scarecrow made out of recycled materials. The competition was judged by the Channel 4 news presenter Alex Thomson.



For those visitors with an interest in gardening there were around 20 gardens open to the public.



As this is a charity event, any money collected will benefit the Barton Mills Parish Church Preservation Trust, who's aim is to raise enough funding to maintain the 900 year old St Mary's Church.



In St Mary's church there was a flower festival with a difference..........all the flowers were made out of recycled or left-over materials!



On Sunday, there was a performance by the Green Dragon Morris Dancers.



On Saturday evening until 11pm there was a family music night with bar, barbeque, and bring your own food.



There were also some interesting displays by the Suffolk County Council recycling team, and the R.S.P.B staff from Lakenheath Fen.



A great place to spend a lazy hour or so would be 'The Manor' where you can enjoy a delicious cream tea while relaxing in their magnificent gardens. On the island opposite the tea lawn you'll find scenes from the popular animated movie 'Ice Age'.















I think this picture says it all.............