Visitors to this year’s Longhope Scarecrow Festival were greeted by a very special figure – a life-sized scarecrow of Bishop Rachel, welcoming guests through the church gates.
The festival, organised by the Friends of Longhope Church, is a biennial event and has become a much-loved village tradition. People create imaginative scarecrows that are displayed around the village along a special trail.
Carryl Phelps, Churchwarden at All Saints Church and long-standing member of Friends of Longhope Committee, said: “For the scarecrow festival two years ago, I made a scarecrow of our priest, Lara Bloom. She stood at the entrance, welcoming everyone in. I used a mop head for her hair and bright pink nail varnish. Lara thought it was hilarious and was really touched.
“When planning this year’s event, we asked Bishop Rachel if she was able to lead Midnight Mass, and she kindly agreed.”
Her visit left a deep impression on the parish: “She arrived in her beautiful gold robes, just shining,” Carryl said. “We’d made a huge metal angel outside the church last year, and when she saw it, she was absolutely over the moon. She had her chaplain, the Revd Jason Taylor, taking photos of the angel, and she loved it so much that she’s actually using that angel on the front of her Christmas cards this year.”
Inspired by that night, the Friends decided to create a golden-robed Bishop Rachel scarecrow. Chairman of the Friends of Longhope Church, Tina Coull, searched the charity shops for just the right fabric and materials, and local artist and flower arranger, Beryl Griffiths, created the scarecrow.
“We debated between gold and purple,” Carryl said, “but it had to be the gold – that’s how she came to us at Midnight Mass.”
The finished scarecrow was placed at the church gate, greeting visitors to a festival that featured 47 scarecrows across the village. Around 700 families took part in the trail, enjoying coffee, cake, and the joyful ring of the newly restored church bells.
“It was just electric,” Carryl said. “Visitors travelled from near and far, filling the streets with laughter and conversation. The local shop, bakery, pubs, and restaurants all benefitted, and it gave such a lift to our community. It reminded us how strong faith and friendship can be when people come together.
“Seeing Bishop Rachel welcoming everyone to our village was truly wonderful — we wanted to express our thanks to her for all she’s done for us.”
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