A CHURCH is set host a Scarecrow Festival for the very first time.
Peasley Cross United Reformed Church has announced it will have the competition at its premises, with free entry and an invitation for families, groups, organisations, and individuals to bring their own scarecrow along.
Rev Allison Claxton said: "We decided to host a Scarecrow Festival to tie in with our Harvest Celebration which is on Sunday 9th at 11am and also as a way of reaching out to our community in a way that makes people smile.
"Our Harvest Celebration is on the theme of recycling and looking after the earth, so Scarecrows - re-using old clothes and their role of protecting the crops - seemed fitting.
"We are fortunate that we are home to various community groups such as Knit and Natter, Keep Fit, Flower Arranging and Messy Church to name a few, so we have some Scarecrows from those groups already - but there's always room for more."
The church has also approached businesses and organisations within the community to encourage them to take part in the competition.
Crafts, games, activities, and refreshments will also be available on the day.
Rev Claxton added: "We are fortunate to have a great bunch of people at Peasley Cross URC, and although we may be an older congregation, we are always looking for ways to include our local community through events such as this Festival, our monthly Community Brew which is also free, our Messy Church which is a free session with food, story and crafts for families and individuals, our various groups which meet in the building, and our various charity fundraising activities.
"We are hoping that our Festival will raise a smile and that people from all over will come along and enjoy the Scarecrows, crafts, activities and have a cuppa and cake."
The borough saw a brilliant effort from the community last year, with Halloween-themed scarecrows popping up around the area.
READ > Ghoulish creations popping up in preparation of St Helens Scarecrow Festival
The festival takes place on Saturday October 8 from 1-3pm.
To enter a Scarecrow or for more information on the festival, contact Rev Allison Claxton at revclaxton@live.co.uk or call 01744 731081.
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