Scarecrows and Other Things

The village of Blackrod is just across the valley from where I live, and today they had a scarecrow contest. These are a common feature in many small towns and villages around England during the summer months so I thought I'd take a trip over to Blackrod to see if there were any interesting sights.

Click on images to see larger versions.

After parking my car I set off with my camera at the ready, to be greeted by two very enthusiastic programme sellers. Ellis (on the left in the picture) and Angus (right) soon relieved me of some cash in exchange for their wares, then off I trotted to find my first scarecrow.


Just across the road from where I had met Ellis and Angus I came across this excellent effort by Crooke Cruising Club. The characters are Rosie and Jim, from a children's TV series called Rag Dolls. Those of you with children may remember the song:

'Rosie and Jim
Rosie and Jim
Bobbing along
On the old Rag Doll'


The next scarecrow I came across was meant to represent the children's nursery rhyme 'Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary'. Racking my fading memory of my childhood, and with a little help from a friend, here is the rest of the rhyme.

'Mary, Mary, quite contrary
how does your garden grow?'
'With silver bells
and cockle shells
and pretty maids, all in a row.'


Just a few doors away was a scarecrow entitled 'The Cottage Gardener'. He/she/it had certainly been busy because the garden looked lovely.


On the other side of the road was an excellent scarecrow representing the comedian Peter Kay, star of the comedy TV series 'Pheonix Nights'. I hope the liquid in the vase was supposed to be beer and not something a little more basic to human physiology.


Moving on a little further I came across a scarecrow called 'Blob the Builder', a play on words that brought to mind a well known children's TV and book character.


A little further still brought me to this delightful little character. Not only did she have her own sun to keep her company as well as a sign giving directions to 'the beach' (that's a good few miles from Blackrod, I can tell you ), but she also had a nice selection of ice cream cornets.


Just across the road (which was surprisingly busy considering the main A6 trunk road has long since by-passed the village) I came across Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men from the children's TV programme 'Watch with Mother'.


At the other end of the village from where I started is the lovely little St Katharine's Church. It was apparently built in 1338 of Norman design and enlarged in 1776. Over the years the spelling of the church name has changed from the original Katherine to Catherine, and now the current Katharine. The six bells in the west tower were first cast in 1776 then renewed in 1922, and the clock was illuminated in 1947.


Outside the main door of the church was this rather odd representation of the former fashion model Twiggy, so called because of her very slim build. From what little I remember of Twiggy, she was rather slimmer than her modern counterpart.


Inside the church, besides a bookstall and refreshments, there was a very fine Millenium Tapestry depicting one hundred years of the village's history.


I crossed back over the road and began to make my way back through the village, and soon came across fine looking character on the side of the Conservative Club building who went by the name of Pedro.


A little further along was another scarecrow up the wall that I nicknamed 'The Flying Scarecrow' for want of a better name.


Then a little further along still was a lovely little collection of scarecrows. If there was a title for these I'm afraid it escaped me. Perhaps you might know.


Moving on to the Blackrod Methodist Church I saw a terrific rendition of the Queen and Knave of Hearts.


By now I had arrived back at my car and it was time to leave Blackrod and get off back home. Thinking I had seen the last of the excellent scarecrows of Blackrod for this year I was surprised to come across this fine specimen on the main A6 road that runs below the village. It made me smile and left a humorous memory of a great day out.

Organiser Jean Hibbert, of St Katherine's Church Events Group, said: "It's been absolutely fantastic. People are smiling and families are together. It has been a joy and I would like to thank all those people who helped." Well as one of the many people who thoroughly enjoyed strolling around looking at the fine exhibits, I would like to add my grateful thanks.

PS: You can see even more scarecrow images from the Blackrod Festival at Eric H's excellent gallery. Many thanks to Eric for the link. There is also a fine collection of pictures on the St Katharine's Church web site.