CHILDREN in Bromyard have been kept busy during the coronavirus lockdown, not only with their school work, but also with a scarecrow challenge.

Four schools in the area took part in the 'Stay Home, Stay Safe Scarecrow Challenge', devised by reception and Year 1 teacher at Pencombe CE Primary School Ellie Brown.

She said: "At Pencombe school, we were really sad that we couldn't take part in the traditional Bromyard Scarecrow festival this year.

"So we decided it might cheer everyone up if families made their own creations instead. We hoped that as well as enjoying working together on them, they might put them along the roadside for the rest of the community to enjoy.

"The results have been amazing! Lots of effort and imagination has gone into making them and it has been lovely to see a return to the more "traditional scarecrow" style.

"We hope to back in the parade around town next year, in the mean time: stay safe, stay home scarecrows."

Even though the town's annual scarecrow festival, held in early June, was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, that didn't stop the schools creating their stuffed straw bird-scarers as usual.

As well as Pencombe, St Peter’s Primary, Bredenbury Primary and Queen Elizabeth High School also asked students to make their own scarecrows, including topical ones.

Martin Farmer, Headteacher of Queen Elizabeth and Executive Headteacher of St. Peter’s and Bredenbury Primary Schools, said: “This kind of immersive creativity has allowed children to express themselves at a time of real uncertainty for them. 

"For just a few hours, they were able to lose themselves in devising and building some stunning scarecrows that bring a smile to all of our faces”.