What do Harry Potter, Wallace and Gromit, and Joseph and his Technicolour Dream Coat have in common?
They were all recreated in scarecrow form last weekend at Romanby WI Scarecrow Festival, near Northallerton.
The award-winning community event is in its fifth year and saw 43 scarecrows standing tall across the village.
The displays were visited over the course of the weekend by members of the public who could then vote for their favourite.
Nearly 900 people visited the hub of the event, Romanby WI Hall, to buy a trail map and to enjoy tea, cake, and craft stalls where around £2,500 was raised for charity. Since its creation the scarecrow festival has raised over £10,000.
President of Romanby WI, Samantha Jennings said “We are always so impressed by the creativity and generosity of the community when it comes to the Scarecrow Festival.
“People spend weeks on paper mâché heads, wire bodies, and painted scenery. They are more like works of art than scarecrows! We imagined the main incentive to take part was the prize money.
“£100 in cash for first place, and don’t get me wrong I think that does help. But honestly, I think most people really love the event and the sense of community spirit and pride that comes with it.
“During the festival hundreds of residents and visitors to the area are out walking, talking and exploring. I can’t thank everyone enough for taking part. I especially loved a scarecrow called Feeding the Birds, showing a scene from Mary Poppins.
“There was a table on the drive with materials and instructions to make a colourful bird to hang in the tree. By Sunday evening this tree was full of beautiful birds, such a joyous sight. With so much strife in the world, this felt like a sign that we can do good and be better.”
First place in this year’s competition went to Neil Coulson, who created a movie prop worthy version of a Dementor from Harry Potter.
Mr Coulson is a volunteer with local charity Northdale, helping with their Scare Zone Halloween event where his creation is now on display. Neil plans to donate his prize money to Northdale.
In second place, a larger-than-life recreation of Wallace and Gromit on Castleton Avenue attracted over £80 worth of donations to the donation tin while on display.
Its makers, Diane and Brian Jennings, will also donate their £75 prize money to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, a cause close to their hearts.
In third place, a prize of £50 was won by Rachael Mary Beard for her stunning scene of Joseph and his technicolour dream coat.
Her brightly coloured and detailed display brought great joy to all who visited it. As well as raising over £100 though a collection for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
The event saw traditional scarecrows, super heroes and cartoon characters recreated. Because of the work involved the event runs every other year, make a note in your 2025 diary for the first weekend in October half term and get to Romanby to join in.
This year’s event was supported by a £300 community grant from Broadacres.
Money raised at the event is in aid of the on-going maintenance of Romanby WI Hall, an 80-year-old timber building that serves the community much like a village hall.
Romanby WI has 80 members aged from their 30s to 90s and a waiting list. The Women’s Institute has been running for 95 years, sitting at the heart of the community. It’s also helping to support a newly formed WI in nearby Northallerton.
If you’d like to see all the entries to the Scarecrow Festival over the years visit Romanby WI on Facebook.
If you’d like to find out more about the WI in the region, visit www.nyorkseastwi.org.uk
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