Scarecrows haven’t been seen in St Ives for a long time (except perhaps during New Year’s Eve revelry!) – but that is about to change.
With the decline of small farms in the area as tourism became the major industry, seeing crops growing for local use has become a rarity and, with that, so have scarecrows.
But now, with increasing economic pressure and the awareness of climatic change, our relationship to food sources is altering.
The Gleaning movement has brought back the ancient tradition of harvesting leftover crops, distributed by St Ives Community Foodshare.
The Community Orchard itself has extended its vegetable growing area, and has taken over other small plots of land around the town for the same purpose.
St Ives Junior School – which works collaboratively with the Community Orchard, has a polytunnel for developing seedlings and its own veg patch.
Many people have allotments at Trowan allotments growing their own veg.
The Steeple Woodland is holding its first ‘Children’s Potato Growing Competition’ which will be judged on their open Day (June 29)
What better time to bring back scarecrows to protect our precious vegetable crops?
This year our scarecrow festival will be a modest, local display at the Community Orchard at the May Beltane event (3rd May, 3 – 6pm).
Anyone can bring a scarecrow, or make one at the scarecrow workshop at the Orchard. (21st April).
Next year we hope to extend our festival to celebrate food growing – and scarecrows!!
Scarecrow Workshop
Monday 21st April, 10 – 4pm. Free to attend. Family friendly.
Let’s bring back scarecrows to protect our precious vegetable crops and celebrate local food growing. Join our scarecrow workshop to make a scarecrow to exhibit at our Beltane Mayday event or use in your own veggie garden. Straw & bamboo provided, bring your own clothing and accessories. Suggested items to bring – old clothing, a hat, gloves, shoes, a clothes hanger.
Scarecrows
Written by Mattie Pochee, 29th March 2025