Scarecrows and much more at East Budleigh




















Potato head: one of last year's scarecrows greeting visitors to the village of East Budleigh

I see that one of Devon's best known historians is giving a talk next week at East Budleigh's All Saints Church.

Dr Todd Gray's subject will be the county's old customs and traditions.

I always feel that his researches into Devon history might be of interest to my American readers because he was brought up in Massachusetts, as I've mentioned at http://budleighbrewsterunited.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-englanders-view-of-old-england.html

It's so appropriate that his talk should be in the church where the young Walter Raleigh worshipped with his family almost 500 years ago.

This is the opening event in East Budleigh's Scarecrow Festival next weekend and I wonder whether Dr Gray will be telling us about the age-old origins of scarecrows, a countryside tradition which of course goes back way beyond Raleigh's time.

Lots more activities will be taking place over the weekend including duck races on the brook, Devon cream teas, and tours of All Saints Church. All monies raised will go towards the upkeep of the Church and the surrounding Churchyard.

The full programme is below:

East Budleigh Scarecrow Festival Friday 17- Sunday 19 June 2011

Programme of Events:

Friday 17 June:- A Talk by Dr Todd Gray (Exeter University) on ‘The Calendar Year in Devon: Customs and Traditions over the Past 500 Years’ in All Saints Church commencing at 7.30 pm. Tickets £5.00 from East Budleigh Garage, the East Budleigh Shop or at the door.

Saturday 18 June:- 12.00 Midday at the Village Hall... Opening of the Scarecrow Festival by Revd. Anne Charlton.

Saturday 18 June and Sunday 19 June:-
Village Hall: 12.00 midday – 4.30 pm on both days
Cake Stall, Book Stall, Plant Stall, Sale of Memorabilia including mini-scarecrows
The famous East Budleigh Cream Teas will be available as well as a Bar for the sale of Pimm’s
Duck Race in the brook by the Village Hall (start-time 3.00 pm on both days)

All Saints Church:
Exhibition of Colourful Knitting Produced in the Village for the Children of Moldova as well as some interesting and rare Books: 12.00 midday - 4.30 pm on both days
Tours of the 12th Century Church: starting at 2.15 pm from the Church Porch on both days
Tours to the top of the Church Bell Tower: 1.30 - 6.00 pm on Saturday and 2.00 - 4.00 pm on Sunday

Drake's School
School Open Day on the Saturday [10.00 am to 3.00 pm] including tours of pupils’ work and an exhibition of old photographs entitled ‘Dipping into the Past’
Children’s Treasure Hunt through the Village

Other Activities in East Budleigh Village:
Plenty of Scarecrows to see! Vote for your favourite scarecrow.
Information Panels on history of scarecrows etc.
Re-instatement of the Toll Bridge: 12.00 midday to 4.30 pm on both days.
Tours of the Village: starting at 2.00 pm from outside the Village Hall on both days.

Sunday 19 June:- Songs of Praise in All Saints Church commencing at 6.30 pm.

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