Beloved Shropshire scarecrow festival to return this weekend

Scarecrows are filling the streets of a Shropshire village for the return of a popular festival this weekend.

The Lilleshall Scarecrow Festival has been a fixture since 2019, with residents creating dozens of straw-filled characters in support of a great local cause.

The much-loved event is the main fundraiser for the non-profit Lilleshall Pre-School, with all proceeds going directly towards supporting the school and its young pupils.

This year the event will return to the little village between Newport and Telford on Saturday (September 19).

Alongside the scarecrow trail, the pre-school will also host a fun-filled fete, featuring stalls, carnival games, face painting and a bouncy castle.

Last year’s event, which coincided with the pre-school’s 50th birthday, raised a staggering £5,000 and allowed the school to completely replace its outdated heating system.

Previous years’ events have raised funds to purchase outdoor equipment and new tables and chairs, replacing a set that dates back more than 20 years.

One of the organisers, Hattie Smith, said funds raised this year would help replace doors at the pre-school.

She said: “We’d love to raise a similar amount, if not more. That would be absolutely brilliant, but it’s all about the fun on the day.”

Last year the village was taken over by around 70 scarecrows - and the organisers are hopeful to match those numbers again.

Six of this year’s straw-fellows have been made by other local nurseries and schools, along with dozens from local groups and villagers.

This year's event will run from 10.30am to 4pm this Saturday, September 19.