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This morning we set off on the Bisterne Scarecrow Festival Trail. At each end of the road through the village and its environs a town crier announced the event.
Various outlets sold leaflets listing the entries with a map showing their locations. The price was £1 in aid of the Village Hall. Most scarecrows sported a receptacle for donations to the same cause. We bought ours from Tyrell’s Ford Country Inn. As this was the last stop on the route, we carried on our search in reverse order, although my photographs are here presented starting at number 1.
This was The Scarecrow with no Name!! outside Old School House. It didn’t look much like Clint Eastwood.
24, Dragon Cottages was responsible for both no. 2, We’re all going on a Summer Holiday;
and no. 3, We have gone to Pot.
Gangsta Grannie resided at 23, Dragon Cottages. It was a neat touch to provide her with a walking frame.
A punster was responsible for Country Life is in the Jean’s (sic).
Charlie the Train was a recycling of Thomas the Tank Engine featured four years ago. An engineer stands in the cab;
the prospective passenger behind him can be seen through a window;
and a signalman waits outside. This exhibit was produced by the residents of 71, Lower Kingston.
A subtle wit was employed for I’m just Cheese (Cheese straws – Get it?), at Clover Cottage, 16 Lower Kingston.
It was particularly breezy at White House, Kingston, where Crow Farm was situated. The farmer had lost his hat and his wife swizzled on her stick.
I picked up and replaced the hat (seen beside the wall in the first picture) and the wind righted the good lady. They seemed rather pleased.
There was a Hive of Activity outside Iona, 18 Christchurch Road. Witticisms were written on tags attached to some of the bees,
and other clever details, such a bridal couple.
A leggy spider is Surfing the Web outside 221, Christchurch Road,
while on the green across the road cheeky Peekaboo Pikachus enlivens the shrubbery.
Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson peers from the garden of 6 New Road.
By the cattlegrid in the forest on Charles Lane we have Not Forest Rangers it’s the Power Rangers.
3 Little Pigs inhabit the brick sitting room outside Rose Cottage, 51 Bagnum. Mum’s photograph stands on the mantelpiece, and a notice asks visitors if they can find
the Big Bad Wolf.
At 37, Sandford, Country Fun portrays the television programme Country File. Each of the figures,
for example John Craven, carries a photographic image of a presenter.
On the big oak trees in Dragon Lane hang an explanatory notice about Whispering Wood
and half a dozen pairs of eyes fashioned from car parts.
A Tin Can Alley had been set up outside 39, Sandford, in Roll Up Roll Up.
Another work that invites us to a further search is Noah’s Ark in the grounds of St Paul’s Church.
We failed this one, because we only found five of the six pairs of animals.
The Blue Planet appears somewhat out of its element outside the driveway to the Stable Family Trust.
Wonder Woman had lost one of her amulets in the grass of Garden Cottage,
while another unlikely American symbol, Humpty Trumpty, sat on a wall
in the grounds of Tyrell’s Ford, above a snoozing Mexican.
A fifteenth wedding anniversary was being celebrated outside Lower Bisterne Farm.
Having completed our tour we just had time for lunch in The Three Tuns at Bransgore.
Jackie enjoyed a burger, chips, and salad; while I chose superb Mudeford haddock and sea bass in an excellent sauce served with a crisp range of vegetables. My lady drank Peroni while I drank Ringwood’s best bitter. As usual, this rendered an evening meal unnecessary.
Such a fun post, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Cynthia
You’re welcome.
A fun and wonderful post! Love these pictures, thanks for sharing with us!
Thanks very much, Lynn
Fabulous! Living in New Mexico, I laughed out loud at Humpty Trumpty…a perfect replica. Very fun. Thanks for sharing, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Doodle
Boy, so did I. Brilliant visual and verbal puns.
Wasn’t it just?
Humpty Trumpty! Excellent!
Thanks a lot, John
Those are such fun!
Many thanks, Victo
How wonderful! 😀
Thanks a lot, Widders
Love the vivid imagination and humour displayed. Crow Farm and Humpty Trumpty particularly amused.
Many thanks, Leslie
Wow, the work really express the enthusiam of participants. Such wonderful job. Thank you Derrick for sharing this.
Thanks very much, Rupali
I was going with ‘We have gone to pot’ until I got to Humpty-Trumpty which was a laugh out loud moment! (Lets hope he falls soon as he’s clearly already cracked)
Thanks very much, Pauline
When I next travel to ol’ Blighty, I will remember these dates so I can see this display in the flesh. Absolutely guaranteed to make a body smile.
Many thanks, Susanne
There are quite a few around the country, so hopefully you would see one somewhere!
A fascinating look into you country life, Derrick. Great photographs.
Thanks very much, Roland
I love this idea and the photos! How wonderful!
Thanks very much, Luanne
What fun!
Thanks a lot, Leslie
If I were a bird I wouldn’t go near Whispering Wood.
Thanks a lot, Bruce
Oooh! Go, go Power Rangers! Max’s favourite characters at the moment. As always, fab photos, Derrick.
Thanks a lot, Persia
Loved the magic I felt in these pictures and I would have ended with the fish for sure. This was a whimsical trip.
Many thanks, Pamela
Loved the pair of moles in hard hats. What a fun place.
x
Thanks very much Melanie. I bet Frank would have enjoyed it
Do you know, I think Frank would have loved the idea of the weird and wonderful scarecrows, and delighted in searching for them all ~ the scarier the better!
x
I’m lost for words, absolutely fascinating, I’ve definitely never been to a Scarecrow Fair, what a unique event.
Thanks very much, Ivor. There are several local ones. I may get to more before the season is out
What fun! I’m finding it difficult to find a favourite. Humpty Trumpty or the crow patch…hmmmm.
Two good choices, Donna. Thanks very much
That was fulsome entertainment, Derrick. I enjoyed most of them, especially the elaborate ones like ‘Country File’. But Mr Humpty Trumpty sitting on the wall above a snoozing Mexican takes the cake. Thanks for the fun!
Thanks a lot, Uma. My favourite, too.
How fun! Loved the anniversary “couple. ” I would have selected the fish also!
Many thanks, Mommer
Fantastic pictures. I wish I could be there. Next year, perhaps!
Yep. Thanks, Mike
Great fun, Derrick! Quite a lot of work into some of these too! Brilliant photos – thanks for the amble through the village where birds tremble and fear to visit!! 🙂
Many thanks, Rob
Such imagination and creativity. It looks like a splendid outing. Thanks for sharing, Derrick.
Many thanks, Merril
What a tour! So much fun and creativity. And, I expect you know that many of us across the pond are hoping will happen to Humpty Trumpty. Metaphorically speaking of course.
I’m sure, Laurie. Many thanks
And why only metaphorically??? 🙂
I do espouse nonviolence. No tumbling from walls. 😉
Thanks a lot, Suman
Like the sound of your fish dish, and choice of beer.
I reckon with the amount of weight I’ve lost I’d be a shoo-in to win first prize as a scarecrow! A living walking talking bag-a-bones
Thanks, Brian. I hope you will stay well
So imaginative and beautiful 🙂 Thanks
Many thanks, Lakshmi
Derrick, I have never heard of such a festival!! Is this a British tradition? That was so much fun and so creative I had to share it with others!
It is, Cynthia. We have at least three within a few miles. I’m pleased that you shared it. Thank you.
What a great festival! I am not surprised to see The Orange One mounted on top of a wall. At least you can laugh with us over here. The alternative is to cry. 🙂 Great photos, Derrick. 🙂
Indeed, Lavinia. Many thanks
Love these festivals. What a fun post, Derrick 🙂
Thank you, Inese. You and your camera would have done it proud
You and your camera did a great job.
🙂
Fantastic! Is this an annual event? A fund raiser? Or just a ‘fun’ raiser? So many to like, but I did enjoy the 4 bending over and aiming their buns at the viewer. I got a laugh from the Trump (Humpty Dumpty), as well. All in good fun.
Many thanks, Steve. This was the fifteenth year. Funds to the village hall
What a great selection of scarecrows – lots of hard work in there!
Certainly. Thanks very much, Quercus
You must have worked hard to get them all done. I’d have gone to the pub after the first three or four.
I’m still a marathon runner at heart 🙂
I’m not. 🙂
🙂
Oh my. Humpty Trumpty just killed me 😀 …
Wasn’t it brilliant? Thanks very much, Geetha
It definitely was. Had me in stitches and you’re welcome 🙂