Scarecrow contest to fill the streets of Thornhill

Aug 22 2008

VISITORS to Thornhill this week will be forgiven for taking a second look when the village plays host to its annual scarecrow competition.

The competition is now in its fifth year and has seen the population of the quiet village swell considerably each August.

This year’s new residents have been making themselves at home at the bus stop, in the church, at the shop, in the park and in gardens, doorways and rooftops across the village.

The competition started as part of Thornhill’s gala activities but organiser Sarah-Jane Tempest said: “Over the years we have really seen this event capture the imagination of local residents. It is something the whole community can get involved in and it injects a great deal of fun into village life.

“We have had Nessie, animals of all shapes and sizes and a range of celebrity faces including Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Shrek. We even had a visit from Posh and Becks last year on their way to LA. Not only does the competition foster a real sense of community, it also helps promote a green message as we use a range of recycled materials to create our scarecrows.”

This year’s competition runs from tomorrow (Saturday), with prizes awarded at the gala day on Saturday, August 30. Prizes have been donated from a range of sponsors.

Glengoyne Distillery is running a special label 10-year-old whisky to commemorate the fifth anniversary and has sponsored the overall winner “outstanding in its field”.

Stuart Hendry from Glengoyne said: “It is wonderful to see such a unique, good fun event being held locally.”

Mathew Bailey of Dobbies Garden World in Stirling said: “It is lovely to see an event that uses recycled materials in such an imaginative way and that sets such a lovely example to the next generation”.