Places features

25.05.08 - 26.05.08 | Sonning | 11am - 4.30pm

An ex'straw'dinary display of scarecrows will greet visitors to Sonning this bank holiday weekend.

Local hairdressers' Edward Scissorhands scarecrow

Not your average effigies, these fine creations will represent characters from Captain Birdseye and St Trinians to Edward Scissorhands and Elvis.

Co-organiser Pam Glasspool said that we can expect more than 75 scarecrows to line the Sonning streets.

"It does amaze me people can come up with such fantastic ideas of scarecrows," she says. "It'll be exciting to see them all. We're just putting the finishing touches on the scarecrows now. The dragon's lair is being finished in my garden as we speak!"

No prizes for guessing that the Glasspool household are planning a spectacular St George scene.

The brains behind the scarecrow trail is chair of the Sonning Village Scarecrow & Gardens Open Committee, Malcolm Stansfield.

"Being a Yorkshire man and the idea of a scarecrow trail comes from the north, he brought it to Sonning in 2002," says Mrs Glasspool.

Work in progress: Jack And The Beanstalk

She adds: "Community spirit is proving to be fantastic and the scarecrows, open gardens, floral storybook fun, local plant sale and yummy homemade refreshments look like being as popular as ever."

Funds raised will go towards village amenities. 

"In the past we raised funds for the Church roof and Village playground," says Mrs Glasspool.

"This time we will help provide specialist equipment for the primary school as well as funds for the internal décor of the church and safety fencing for the playground."

Head to Sonning on Sunday 25 May and Monday 26 May between 11am and 4.30pm to see the trail for yourself.