A steady stream of visitors made their way to Midsomer Norton’s own Festival of the Scarecrow last weekend at the Combe Lea Community Resource Centre. Starting on Friday, guests visited across the weekend to see the different scarecrows that had been made especially for this brand new event.

Midsomer Norton schools, Sirona staff, local companies and organisations throughout the community took part with over fifty scarecrows being made to help raise money for the Residents’ Amenity Fund at Combe Lea, a residential care home for thirty older vulnerable adults.

The winners of the competition, with judging from Midsomer Norton Mayor, Michael Evans and Midsomer Norton Town Councillors, Lynda and Richard Robertson, were Kacey in the children’s category, for her scarecrow, and ‘Whizzy’, from the B&NES Library and Information Service, which won for the Adults. Congratulations to Sirona winners, Mandy, June and Harley, for their entry, ‘Jack Sparrow’, and finally, taking home the Visitors’ Vote, was ‘Boris’, made by the Clifford family.

The B&NES Library and Information Service winners decided to donate their winnings back to Combe Lea, by purchasing an activity resource from their prize.

Sue Bendall, Administrator and Festival Organiser at Combe Lea, who worked hard to encourage the scarecrow making across the community, ensuring the event was a success, said: “We have had a fantastic weekend and the community turned out in force to come and see what had been made.

“Thanks to everyone that supported us by making scarecrows and visiting the event. It was amazing! The scarecrows were so creative.

“I would like to thank the B&NES staff for their kindness in donating their prize, we really appreciate it. Additional thanks to the members from the local Girlguiding Association, Cam Valley, who supported us during the event.

“Our raffle, sales from the various stalls and the refreshments, resulted in £510 being raised. This was not really designed to be a fundraising event, but more of an opportunity to bring the community into Combe Lea, which we certainly did.

“We are so grateful to everyone for their generosity – watch this space for next year’s community event!”