‘MAGICAL Stories’ And ‘Movies’ have been unveiled as the themes for this summer’s Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival.

This summer, Kettlewell’s hugely popular scarecrow festival, which will take place from Saturday, August 11, to Sunday, August 19, will feature both Magical Stories and Movies as the themes for the two village trails.

Last year the St Mary’s Church was judged ‘best in show’ by BBC Look North’s Cathy Killick for its brilliant scarecrow scenes depicting ‘hatching, matching and dispatching’ ie. a wedding, a baptism and even a funeral in the churchyard.

From Narnia to Neverland and The Magic Faraway Tree to Harry Potter, there will be characters from the best loved children’s classics to find in every corner of the village as well as familiar stars and scenes of the silver screen.

Scarecrows first came to Kettlewell in 1994 when a fundraising event was organised for Kettlewell Primary School.

At the time, the enthusiastic response of parents and residents led to over 100 scarecrows appearing in gardens, open spaces, hidden corners and even on rooftops.

The event was successfully repeated, growing year by year, and now for more than two decades, Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival has attracted and delighted many thousands of visitors from near and far, raising money for Kettlewell Primary School, Kettlewell Village Hall, St Mary’s Church and other needs in the community.

Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival organisers say it is one of the best value family days out in the Yorkshire Dales, with clue sheets to follow the trails for just £1 and car parking only £3.

Almost as popular as the scarecrow trails are the homemade cakes and refreshments available at the village hall, with all the profits making up a major part of the fundraising effort.

Full details about the 2018 Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival can be found at kettlewellscarecrowfestival.co.uk and on Facebook.