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SCARECROWS BRING THE VILLAGE TOGETHER THROUGH VOLUNTEERING
A North-East mum took on a personal challenge to develop a Scarecrow Trail in
Middleton St George in 2018 to help raise money for local children and this year she celebrated it’s 4th year!
The scarecrow trail was held on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October 2022 by local mum Shirley Gray with the support from local residents and in particular the Cricket Club in Middleton St George where the trail maps will be distributed from. “It’s only possible to make the trail a success with residents making their scarecrows, local businesses supporting the raffle and more importantly people visiting the trail, buying raffle tickets and raising money for children who live within our village.” Shirley reflected. “This year we’re supporting three local children Alife, Joseph, and James. We raise an amazing £1,467 through selling maps and raffle of local prizes.”
“It was an amazing day and display of creativity no matter what the weather is” said Shirley. “The village came alive with the community spirit and happy people walking around with the biggest smiles. We had an amazing time 332 groups of families and friends (roughly 1,000 people) took part in the trail and 28% of the groups completed the full widespread trail. There were visitors from Northallerton, Sunderland, Durham, Middlesbrough, Yarm, Stockton and as far as Hexham”.
The trail offered a great opportunity to use all the local facilities including the Londis and Country Harvest shops during the day. There were refreshments at the Cricket Club, as well as fresh food at Café Italissimo, The Devonport Hotel, Oak Tree pub and the new MJ’s Café. This year the trail ran alongside the MSG Food Market at the Community Centre where residents and visitors could purchase wonderful local produce for a picnic and gifts, therefore bring together a range of different business, groups and events as a whole community.
Local residents start planning what they will make months in advance. “It means a lot that people can spend family time together making scarecrows, walking/driving around Middleton St George to find the scarecrows around the village, meeting lovely people along the way, and appreciating where we live!” said Shirley.
Further information:
Shirley Gray, Scarecrows in Middleton St George
scarecrowmsg@gmail.com
https://scarecrowmsg.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/scarecrowmsg