THERE weren’t many crows hanging around Borth when a scarecrow festival was held.

Scarecrows were on buildings, walls, in gardens, standing in the streets and relaxing on chairs.

There was even a wandering scarecrow and friend performing comic sketches for passers-by.

The people of Borth fully embraced the idea of the scarecrow festival and from Friday, 20 April, to Monday, 23 April, their handiwork was on display and scarecrow trail maps were handed out.

This was the first community event run by Borth Arts.

The festival provided an excellent opportunity for people to work together. Most of Borth’s groups, organisations and businesses had an entry and it was also very well supported by individual residents. In total there were 43 entries.

The overriding feedback was that everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves constructing the scarecrows; the word “fun” was heard many times.

Borth Senior Citizens said they “laughed so much that their stomachs hurt”.

It also was also used as a stimulus for a series of lessons for the Vocational Access Course at Coleg Ceredigion.

Prizes were awarded in two categories, Businesses and Organisations and Individuals/Small Groups.

Ben Lake MP, had the unenviable job of selecting the six winners. There was also a People’s Prize. The theme of ‘community’ was interpreted imaginatively, in many different ways using a wide variety of materials.

Mr Lake said: “It was absolutely amazing to see the amount of effort and care that people had taken in the making of the scarecrows.

“I think the festival itself and the scarecrows really represent the best of what a community can do and the creativity of a community.”

Read the full story and see more pictures from the festival in this week’s south papers, available in shops and as a digital edition tomorrow