Scarecrow cash handed over to village organisations

The scarecrow festival in Pattingham last year raised £19,311 and about 100 people attended a presentation evening in the Village Hall on 16th January 2026 when the cash was handed over.

Philip Sims, chairman of the Scarecrow Festival Committee, spoke about the festival and thanked those who had been involved over the years. The first festival was held in 2011 ad last year’s was the seventh. Cheques were presented to representatives of the five village organisations which benefitted from the festival.

St Chad’s School received £3,500. Sarah Yeomans, headteacher, said that it would be spent on a set of iPads which are good at getting children learning and engaged.

Pattingham Village Hall received £4,500. Vice-chairman Rob Lines said that it is 60 years since the Village Hall in its present form was opened and the money will be used for new flooring in the small hall and other decoration.

There was £3,500 for St Chad’s Allotments. Katie Green and Samantha Horrobin said it will go to replace raised beds, currently falling apart, used by the less able.

The Parish Council Christmas Lights received £2,500. Amy Watson and Jen Ward they wanted to improve the lights fair and some the money will be used to improve the lights, including replacing the trees on the shops with snowflakes. The rest will go toward future outgoings

The remaining £5,311 goes to the church and the vicar, the Rev Merry Smith, said that it would be used to support outreach events such as the Hymns and Pimm’s and Santa at St Chad’s events and to build on that by welcoming people where they can be involved in celebrations. She added that there were other plans which were currently being developed.

(taken from the article which appeared in the February 2026 Parish News magazine.)
Photography by Mike Coope