Issue 24 - September 2012 (PDF) - Chipping Norton Times

There are many wonderful things to see at Moreton Show
and always a lot to raise a smile. None better than the
scarecrow competition and exhibition outside one of the
main tents. Why are they there? How did scarecrows arrive
at a county show?
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Scarecrows are not new of course – their name gives away their
purpose and they have probably been around in different guises
for hundreds of years – ever since man became a farmer!
Historians can date them back more than 3000 years. Scarecrows
were used by Ancient Greeks for protecting their crops from birds
and the Egyptians of the Old Testament made scarecrows,
although they were often made of different materials, according
to what was available. It was many centuries later that the
English started making figures of straw with turnip heads.
Over many generations and right across Europe and the Americas,
scarecrows have become an art form with each country developing new
ideas. The basic crow-scaring function hasn’t been lost, but the ways in which
scarecrows are being presented are becoming more ingenious and inventive,
using a wider range of materials. And the modern scarecrow may need to
perform more than one function – the multi-tasking scarecrow will need to
combine field duties with competition, enjoyment and fund raising. And
he/she may even walk!
In different areas and different countries scarecrows can be
known by different names:-
In Scotland - Tattibogle (meaning to frighten birds
away from potato fields)
Somerset - Mommet
Berkshire - Hodmedod
Elsewhere - Jack of Straw, Scarebirds.
Germany - Bootzamon(male), Bootzafrau
(female)
Japan - Kyebiko/Kakashi
Scarecrow Festivals are held throughout the world and
attract huge crowds and are certainly a tourist attraction.
Usually a theme is chosen, and they can be combined with
other events such as Antique Fairs , Arts and Craft sales –
and of course, big events such as Moreton Show.
There have been many successful scarecrow events held in
the Shires - North Nibley Gloucestershire, Thornbury
Gloucestershire, Urchfont Wiltshire, Powick & Callow
Worcestershire, Belbroughton Worcestershire, Feckenham
Worcestershire and Bromyard in Hereford.
Dame Edna Everage
Tips for making scarecrows –
Scarecrow making can involve the whole family. You don't
need to be a good artist or a good carpenter to make a
wonderful scarecrow. You just need some imagination and be
willing to have a go!
There are lots of website guides – and a scarecrow
competition could be fun at Half Term.