Scarecrows of the Queen popping up in Herefordshire village as locals compete for best Jubilee display

A Herefordshire village has been taken over by 104 life-sized Queens, Prince Philips, and even royal guards. The village's annual fun week will this year celebrate the Platinum Jubilee with quizzes, picnics, fireworks and bingo - but the scarecrows will undoubtedly be the star of the show.

Wednesday 1 June 2022 12:04, UK

Undated handout photo issued by the Wellington Village Fun Week of a scarecrow figure of the Queen. A village in Herefordshire is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a royal-themed scarecrow competition, crafting 104 figures so far to stand watch ahead of the weekend. Wellington Village Fun Week is a local event organised every two years, and has this year been taken over by jubilee celebrations. Issue date: Wednesday June 1, 2022.
Image: A depiction of the Queen with one of her beloved Corgi dogs
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One village has come up with a novel way of celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee - creating 104 royal-themed scarecrows.

The Herefordshire village of Wellington has been taken over by life-sized Queens, Prince Philips, and even royal guards for their gardens.

The village's annual fun week will this year celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with quizzes, picnics, fireworks and bingo - but the scarecrows will undoubtedly be the star of the show.

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Undated handout photo issued by the Wellington Village Fun Week of a scarecrow figure of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. A village in Herefordshire is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a royal-themed scarecrow competition, crafting 104 figures so far to stand watch ahead of the weekend. Wellington Village Fun Week is a local event organised every two years, and has this year been taken over by jubilee celebrations. Issue date: Wednesday June 1, 2022.
Image: A scarecrow figure of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury

"The theme this year is kings, queens, princes, princesses or anything with a royal connection," co-organiser Phil Smith, 68, said.

"For instance, the chapel in the village have done a display of William, the Queen, Philip and all the royal children as one display.

"We've probably got a dozen or so Queens dotted around... and a few Purple Rain Princes."

Undated handout photo issued by the Wellington Village Fun Week of scarecrow figures of members of the royal family. A village in Herefordshire is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a royal-themed scarecrow competition, crafting 104 figures so far to stand watch ahead of the weekend. Wellington Village Fun Week is a local event organised every two years, and has this year been taken over by jubilee celebrations. Issue date: Wednesday June 1, 2022.
Image: Scarecrows based on various members of the Royal Family

An independent judge from outside of the village will assess the figures on Saturday night and announce the winner at a local picnic.

Other creations include Princess Fiona from the movie Shrek, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, and Princess Leia from Star Wars.

Undated handout photo issued by the Wellington Village Fun Week of a scarecrow figure of Princess Leia from Star Wars. A village in Herefordshire is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a royal-themed scarecrow competition, crafting 104 figures so far to stand watch ahead of the weekend. Wellington Village Fun Week is a local event organised every two years, and has this year been taken over by jubilee celebrations. Issue date: Wednesday June 1, 2022.
Image: Princess Leia from Star Wars also features among the entrants

Wellington Village Fun Week has been running since 1972, and first featured a scarecrow competition in 2006.

Undated handout photo issued by the Wellington Village Fun Week of a scarecrow figure of the Queen. A village in Herefordshire is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a royal-themed scarecrow competition, crafting 104 figures so far to stand watch ahead of the weekend. Wellington Village Fun Week is a local event organised every two years, and has this year been taken over by jubilee celebrations. Issue date: Wednesday June 1, 2022.
Image: Another representation of the monarch

"Some of them are really impressive," Mr Smith said.

"My personal one is the Queen with a parachute and she's parachuting into my garden, she is stuffed with straw.

"Some people are so artistic and have such imaginative minds. Everyone seems to have grasped it really well."

Undated handout photo issued by the Wellington Village Fun Week of a scarecrow figure of the musician Prince. A village in Herefordshire is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a royal-themed scarecrow competition, crafting 104 figures so far to stand watch ahead of the weekend. Wellington Village Fun Week is a local event organised every two years, and has this year been taken over by jubilee celebrations. Issue date: Wednesday June 1, 2022.
Image: One competitor chose to create a scarecrow supposedly resembling late musician Prince

Mr Smith said it took him around four days to put together his scarecrow creation of the Queen, but stressed the competition was about the "taking part" for the villagers.

Undated handout photo issued by the Wellington Village Fun Week of a scarecrow figure of the Queen. A village in Herefordshire is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a royal-themed scarecrow competition, crafting 104 figures so far to stand watch ahead of the weekend. Wellington Village Fun Week is a local event organised every two years, and has this year been taken over by jubilee celebrations. Issue date: Wednesday June 1, 2022.
Image: A scarecrow figure of the Queen, standing amid some foliage

"(The prize) might be a couple of bottles of wine and a box of chocolates - the prizes aren't important, although it is competitive," he said.

"It's the prestige, but it's done in a light-hearted way - it's banter more than anything.

"Everybody deserves to let their hair down a little bit. Two years of lockdown hasn't been good for anybody but we're just taking the opportunity to give something back and everybody has responded brilliantly."

Undated handout photo issued by the Wellington Village Fun Week of a scarecrow figure of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. A village in Herefordshire is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a royal-themed scarecrow competition, crafting 104 figures so far to stand watch ahead of the weekend. Wellington Village Fun Week is a local event organised every two years, and has this year been taken over by jubilee celebrations. Issue date: Wednesday June 1, 2022.
Image: The figure based on Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, complete with a vacuum cleaner and legs that appear to bend forwards at the knee

Mr Smith added that the Queen's 70 years on the throne was something he "admired" about her.

"The admiration I think everyone's got of the Queen, the fact she dedicated her life to the country and the fact that she's actually stuck to her word for 70 years, I think everybody admires that and I think that's what's in my mind."

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