What is the Flamstead Scarecrow Festival?
The Flamstead Scarecrow Festival has been running in the village of Flamstead since 2002. Originally the Flamstead Scarecrow Festival’s founder Peter Milson, from Lincolnshire, introduced the idea to the village in 2002 as a fundraiser for two charities. It has had the backing of the village and its residents ever since, with amazing Scarecrows being created each year for the public to view.
Each year, residents from the village of Flamstead create fabulous scarecrows and display them in their front gardens or around the village. There is a competition to see who can make the best scarecrow. Those attending the festival purchase voting forms and vote for their favourite scarecrows.
The festival is run for Charity, as a fundraiser by volunteers and relies on the goodwill of those attending to help make the festival a success.
For the past fifteen years, the festival was expertly run by Paul Mcmahon, Sally Wagon and their team on the Scarecrow Committee. The two charities which benefitted from the Scarecrow Festival were Friends of St Leonard’s Church and Herts Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre.
In 2018, Paul and Sally stepped down after many years of hard work and Clare took over the reins with a reinvigorated committee who were eager to take the festival forward. In 2018, in addition to providing a fantastic day out for those attending the festival, the festival was run for the sole benefit of St Leonard’s Church. The £23,000 raised from the festival was donated towards saving the historic church at the centre of village life. This church is in threat of closure if the roof is not repaired.
In 2019 the Festival was cancelled due to tragic events which took place in the village shortly before the event was due to take place. In 2020 and 2021, the event was cancelled due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
In 2022 the festival was held for the first time since 2018. The Festival raised £18,000. With 13k raised going to Friends of St Leonard’s and over 5k benefitting other local charities and causes.
In 2023 the festival raised £11k for FoSL and other local charities and organisations.
The Flamstead Scarecrow Festival is back for 2024 and will be held on the 16th, 17th and 18th of August. We look forward to welcoming you back!