It would be fair to say, despite living in God’s Little Acre, we are all fed-up with Covid 19. In a way lockdown took us back to the 1950’s Hepworth when nobody travelled far, but at least we had three shops and three pubs then, yes three pubs! The situation highlighted their loss and the social interaction which went with them, leaving us the poorer for it. Our expectations of a lifestyle which was once the possession of only the very rich has temporarily come to a halt.

Something had to be done, and our Parish Council knew exactly what to do. Their inspired vision of another visit from the Scarecrow fraternity was just the light-hearted tonic we needed to forget ourselves. Now Scarecrows are an enigmatic lot, you can talk to them till you are blue in the face and you won’t get an answer. Given that they are somewhat rooted in their work there is always the agonising doubt about whether they will turn up on the day.

We needn’t have worried, 29 of them turned up, headed by Boris Johnson with his usual sartorial malfunction. Of course party-loving Dame Vera Lynn, assisted by Captain Sir Tom Moore were never going to let the troops down were they? All through the village the variations on the theme delighted us, often highlighting current issues. A love-lorne Tin Lady seeking a soulmate here. A down on her luck sorceress looking for work (was she on furlough?) there. A staycationer trying to improve his tan, and a medic on hand ‘just in case’.

Naturally, winners had to be found and Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow steered a course into first place and won the prestigious Worzel Gummidge Cup. Close behind followed The Ploughman, then Petal the Summer Fairy. So much thought and hard work went into all the entries that it is hard to do justice to them all here, but another positive to emerge was the contributions made by some of the younger generation, so a special Well Done to them. Also, similar plaudits to all who helped with the judging and organisation. Heartfelt thanks to them all.

Now follows the bit where we have to resort to virtual reality, cue Hepworth Angels singing Land of Hope and Glory and God Save the Queen.

Stay safe and keep well. RK