2008 Main Sponsor
History of Scarecrows
The
Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Japanese it is said, all used
Scarecrows in ancient times. They carried on being used through into
the Middle Ages when their use spread throughout Europe. When
Europeans began to travel across to and settle in North America,
they took the tradition of the Scarecrow with them. Farmers still
use Scarecrows today all over the world.
There
are many different names for the Scarecrow including:
“Jack
A Lent” (from ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’, 1597)
“Hodmedod (Isle of Wight)
Tattie-Bogie
(specifically one that guards potato fields)
The
Scarecrow has a rich history woven into our myth, folklore and folk
art, and we hope you will enjoy the Hayling Scarecrow Festival.
Why
have a Scarecrow Festival on Hayling?
The
recent Hayling Market Town Initiative (known as Hayling’s BEST)
assessment of business, environmental, social and transportation
aspects of life on Hayling revealed a number of gaps. One of these
was the need for more activities which could involve all sections of
the community. Scarecrow Festivals are held in a number of small
towns and villages across the UK and are a fun way to involve the
community and also to provide some stimulus to local tourism
What is a Scarecrow Festival?
Anyone
who wants to – individuals, schools, businesses, shops, rest homes,
restaurants, fire stations, police stations etc make a Scarecrow,
dress it in old clothing and hang, tie, mount or otherwise display
it on or around their house or premises for people. It needs to be
visible from the road for people to view and admire it! Here are
some links to websites from other Festivals