Cottam scarecrows raise community spirits during lockdown

Scarecrow cricketer — All sorts of characters featured in the event, including this cricketer Pic: Tony Worrall

A scarecrow event has raised the Cottam community’s spirits during lockdown.

The week-long event, which was organised by Wendy Hebblethwaite and Helen Greenhalgh, saw over 100 homemade scarecrows displayed outside residents’ homes.

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Wendy said: “It really has been an amazing week of scarecrows and sunshine. I never dreamed that a little idea I had a few weeks ago to ease the boredom of lockdown would become as big as it has.

“Whether people made a scarecrow or just enjoyed finding them, the success of the event was entirely down to the lovely people of Cottam, and the many smiling faces seen over the last seven days has been fantastic.”

Pic: Philip Davidson
Pic: Tony Worrall
Pic: Philip Davidson
Pic: Tony Worrall
Pic: Philip Davidson
Pic: Tony Worrall
Pic: Philip Davidson
Pic: Tony Worrall
Pic: Philip Davidson

The event deliberately avoided any element of competition, instead focusing on fun and community spirit.

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Helen said: “I was overwhelmed with the response. It’s really surprising what people can do with some old clothes, a bit of straw and heaps of imagination!

“Seeing that creativity and the happiness that the event brought has been wonderful during these uncertain times.”

The organising team also used the event to help raise funds for Jacob’s Join, a charity fund set up in memory of Cottam youngster Jacob Willett, who sadly lost his life to cancer in November 2019.

Wendy said: “We were so pleased that Jacob’s parents accepted our request to fundraise for them, through inviting voluntary donations. An incredible £2,500 was raised, which was five times our original target. I still can’t quite believe it.”

Jacob’s parents, Ness and Mark Willett, also made a scarecrow.

“Jacob remains our inspiration – and we chose a Spiderman scarecrow as it was his favourite superhero. He would have loved this past week, as all the children have.

Jacob Willett dressed as Spiderman, and the Willett's Spiderman scarecrow — The event raised funds in memory of local boy Jacob Willett

“We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone that helped raise such an incredible amount for research into childhood cancer. It’s something to be extremely proud of.”

The event has been such a success that there is talk of it returning annually.

To find out more about Jacob’s Join, visit the Facebook page.

Did you take part in the event or see the scarecrows? Let us know in the comments.