Scarecrows on parade

Anyone taking a passing glimpse at a Norfolk village may have thought residents had some rather unusual guests at the weekend.For dotted along the streets of Wood Norton, near Guist, were strange looking figures getting up to all sorts of activities.

Anyone taking a passing glimpse at a Norfolk village may have thought residents had some rather unusual guests at the weekend.

For dotted along the streets of Wood Norton, near Guist, were strange looking figures getting up to all sorts of activities.

But it was in fact the village's scarecrow festival, which saw almost all houses get into the spirit and make one.

There were dancers by the village hall, witches, children, preachers, one sunbathing on a roof in her bikini, and in a nod to Springwatch filmed at nearby Pensthorpe, was a Bill Oddie scarecrow with a pair of binoculars.

Dorcas Henderson, who helped organise the event said: “We wanted to do something to expand outside the fete and some nearby villages have similar events.

“It turns out scarecrows are incredibly popular. There has been a lot of people turn out despite the patchy weather which is great.

“This has been a great community bonding thing. A lot of people who don't normally get involved in the community activities have got involved. We're working together to benefit the village.”

The second bi-annual event also included a flyover by the East Anglian Air Ambulance, a miniature railway, craft fare, raffles and tractor rides, as well as concerts on Friday and Saturday night.

Proceeds were divided between Wood Norton village hall and church, and East Anglian Air Ambulance.