Around 40 scarecrows themed around musicals have taken over the Welsh village of Pontrhydyfen as part of its annual Scarecrow Festival. The event, organised by the local Burton Bont Festival Group, ran from June 26 to 28, with residents displaying creations inspired by shows including Evita, Cats, Willy Wonka, and The Little Mermaid.
Community Effort and Fundraising
Andrea Edwards, chairwoman of the group, said: "It's a bit mad, but it's a bit of daft fun, really. In the beginning, I think people thought 'what is this all about', but it's growing." The festival this year aimed to raise funds to refurbish the children's park. The community council provided a small grant, enabling the group to purchase 6km of bunting for decorations.
Notable Designs
Among the 40 scarecrows were an Oompa Loompa from Willy Wonka, a Mary Poppins figure, an 'Invisible Scarecrow', a Nye Bevan scarecrow, a Little Mermaid creation, and a Super Mario design. One resident created a Sally Bowles scarecrow from Cabaret, while another made an Eva Perón figure from Evita. The theme also paid tribute to Ivor Emmanuel, a local singer recently immortalised in a mural on a pub wall in the area.
Growing Popularity
The festival, held annually in late June, has seen increasing participation since its inception. Edwards noted the event's growth from initial confusion to widespread community involvement. The scarecrows were displayed in gardens across the village, drawing visitors to the birthplace of actor Richard Burton.
