Dove Holes scarecrow festival: High Peak village's hay-mazing celebration of community spirit

Dove Holes scarecrow festival.
Keeping an eye out at Stella Motors. — Dove Holes scarecrow festival. Keeping an eye out at Stella Motors.

Around 25 of the colourful creations, all the handiwork of residents, have sprung up at various locations around the village for the annual scarecrow festival.

The event, which launched on Saturday with a coffee morning at Dove Holes Village Hall, is being hosted by the Dove Skate Park group - which is aiming to raise around £80,000 for new recreational facilities.

Dove Holes scarecrow festival.
Dove Holes resident, Sue Ball with 'Frank' who has took up residence at her Hallsteads home. — Dove Holes scarecrow festival. Dove Holes resident, Sue Ball with 'Frank' who has took up residence at her Hallsteads home.

But Emma Whittle, one of the organisers, stressed: “The scarecrow festival is not about making money, it’s more about celebrating our community spirit.

“The displays look really nice and they help to brighten up our village. We will definitely be running it again next year.”

This year’s winner of the £25 first prize was Karen Bradbury for her Wizard of Oz-themed scarecrow. Hayley McCrea’s ‘Spi-dove-man’ and Ella Bray with ‘Bone Idol Billy’ were second and third respectively and were awarded prizes of £15 and £10.

There are already plans to expand the popular festival in 2019 with the addition of a family fun day.

Meanwhile, if you haven’t yet paid a visit you’ll need to make hay - this year’s festival is due to wrap up this weekend.