PHOTO GALLERY: Villagers flock to scarecrow festivals

WHERE can you see a soaring Spitfire, Peter Pan and a clutch of Wee Willie Winkies all in the same room?

At Swinton Scarecrow Festival, that’s where.

St Margaret’s Church was decorated with 20 fairytale and storybook favourites all fashioned from straw.

Also vying for attention and visitors votes over the weekend were The Hulk, Aladdin and the Owl and the Pussycat.

The church field was packed with family attractions including go-karts, sand art, a bouncy castle, toy and sweet stalls and even a New York-style police car.

There was also a display of dancing by students from the McMahon School of Dance.

The winner in the children’s section were the Vicky Beckett Childminding Group for their Gingerbread Man & his Baker, while the adult category winner was The Owl and the Pussycat by Chloe Eagle, Julie Parker and Sydney.

Event co-organiser Staceyleigh Hopkins said: “It was really busy in the church all day and I finally got to sit down at 9pm om the Sunday!”

Firbeck also went crackers for crow-scaring creations, with more than 40 on display at the village’s annual scarecrow trail.

Among the highlights in this year’s event, which has a Musicals theme, were entries inspired by Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Phantom of the Opera, Oliver Twist and Mary Poppins.

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