HUNDREDS of people flocked to the grounds of All Saints Church in Hebburn Drive for a harvest family fun day to mark the end of the Brandlesholme Scarecrow Festival.

The third annual scarecrow festival began on Friday September 9, and for over a week people were able to follow the scarecrow trail around the village.

The trail included scarecrows designed and created by families, schools and community groups and the winners for the best displays were announced at the fun day.

There were also picnics, samba and ukulele performances and workshops and a cake-off competition, as well as a heavy helping of community spirit.

The Reverend Simon Cook from All Saints Church, and who is chair of the Brandlesholme Festival Committee, said Simon Cook: “It was a fantastic day, we had hundreds of people turn up and there was a really good atmosphere.

“The weather was kind to us as well which was great, it was just a really enjoyable community event.”

He added fun days such as this are really important because they offer a pause in people’s busy modern lives.

“It’s good to have the chance to get out of the house and meet people from their community, rather than just spending the day in front of a screen,” said the Rev Cook.

Official scarecrow judges for the day were John Ainscoe, from Summerseat Garden Centre; Councillor Sarah Kerrison (L, Elton); and councillor Susan Nuttall (C, Church). Bury North MP David Nuttall judged the ‘Great Brandlesholme Cake Off’.

Deirdre Watson, from the Brandlesholme Festival Committee which organised the event, said: “The day went very well and I was delighted with all the entries which showed fantastic imagination.

“One of the real highlights was the support everyone gave each other and the way the community pulled together.”

She said a couple of entries were sabotaged by vandals early in the festival, but the community rallied round to help restore the entries.

“The unity and community spirit that has been shown has been wonderful,” she said.

“It has been a real team effort from everybody, and I was also delighted that local councillors and our MP David Nuttall took the time to come and see us.”