Lymm's Scarecrow Trail 2021 celebrates lockdown heroes

Well, Lymm’s Scarecrow Trail 2021 has you covered as ‘the perfect community event’.

Lymm Festival had to cancel all live events due to the Delta variant of coronavirus, however, the trail still stands as an event that does not require a congregation of people.

44 different ‘lockdown heroes’ can be found celebrated across the village.

The likes of Captain Sir Tom Moore, doctors, Greta Thunberg, police, Marcus Rashford, the elderly, scientists and key workers have all been highlighted for their work on different scales.

“The Scarecrow Trail is the perfect community event right now, allowing people to get out and about and share something together without the need for large gatherings,” said Harriet Waters, of Lymm Festival.

“We knew it was important to bring the trail back this year or risking losing it forever, and we've been overwhelmed by the fantastic response.

Sir Captain Tom Moore was one of the lockdown heroes in Lymm's eyes

“This year's trail has over 40 scarecrows celebrating the 'Lockdown Heroes' of Lymm, making it the fullest and most creative in years. We hope people enjoy exploring the village, seeing their neighbours' creativity, and showing their gratitude to the people who got us through lockdown.”

Mark Bolton, who moved to Lymm in 2001, is one of the residents who has submitted a scarecrow for the competition.

“My wife, Joanne, she now runs the Sandy Lane book swap, and we thought it would be a good idea to get involved in this year's Lymm Scarecrow Trail and put a scarecrow beside the book swap. It's the first time we have made a scarecrow for the trail, but we have followed the trail each year for many years,” Mark, 59, said.

As part of Mark’s training for the Manchester marathon, he completes one long run per week. Last week’s run of choice was a visit to each of the scarecrows around Lymm where he took a picture at each stop.

He continued: “I will be 60 in July - and that's the reason I signed up to run the Manchester Marathon. I thought if I don't run it now, I never will. I will be raising money for the Alzheimer's Society, in remembrance of my father-in-law, who suffered from it in his final years. They do such a fantastic job searching for a cure for this disease.

“It is such a shame that so many community events have had to be cancelled over the past year because of the Covid pandemic. The organisers of the Scarecrow Trail, and all the participants are to be commended for getting the event up and running this year. It has such a positive effect on everyone, from young to old. It brings a much-needed boost of fun into the village.”

The event runs from June 24 to Sunday, July 4. First place, decided by judges, wins £25, with £15 for the runner-up.