GALLERY: Burghclere gets in Jubilee spirit with spectacular scarecrow trail

Prince Philip in a tractor, a Grenadier Guard and the Queen riding a horse through a hedge are just some of the spectacular scarecrows on show in Burghclere as the village gets in the Jubilee spirit.

The scarecrows are part of a special trail to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, organised by local residents Magdalena North, her partner Lian Price and Pam Garland.

Despite expecting around 10 entries, there are more than 50 royal or red, white and blue-themed characters dotted around the village.

Ms North, who has lived in the village for around 17 years, said: “Burghclere has really pulled together on it.

“It’s a good mixture of royal and traditional scarecrows.

“It’s been really, really fun and people are so creative.”

For the trail, there was a leaflet drop around the village, with a QR code and a URL on the back for how to take part.

There are also laminated maps around the village.

A number of prizes for different categories have also been donated by local organisations, including The Swan Inn, The Carpenters Arms, Penwood Nursery, Carnarvon Arms and Hobby Craft.

The scarecrows will be judged by four anonymous judges who will be out on the prowl examining the different offerings.

The scarecrows will be out for around a week after the bank holiday weekend.

Ms North and Ms Price’s entry to the competition involves a papier-mâché Queen Elizabeth in a cast iron bath tub in their garden, with a corgi playing with the Sovereign’s Orb.

She added: “It’s put a lot of smiles on people’s faces – people have really got behind it.

“We can’t believe it – there you are thinking there’s only going to be 10 people joining in and then you end up with 50 odd and it’s in the papers.”

The scarecrow trail is just one of many events taking place in Burghclere over the long weekend.

Tomorrow (Thursday) there is a scarecrow walk from 7pm at the Portal Hall, and at 8.30pm there is the beacon lighting walk up Ladle Hill to watch the lighting of the Beacon Hill beacon.

On Friday from 5pm to 8pm, there is a picnic in the park with live music, local entertainment, a bar and BBQ at the recreation ground.

On Sunday, there is a street party in Church Lane from 2pm to 5pm and a Jubilee community Songs of Praise from 6pm to 7pm with Burghclere handbells.