What is the Flamstead Scarecrow Festival?

The Flamstead Scarecrow Festival has been running in the village of Flamstead since 2002. Originally the Flamstead Scarecrow Festival’s founder Peter Milson, from Lincolnshire, introduced the idea to the village in 2002 as a fundraiser for two charities. It has had the backing of the village and its residents ever since, with amazing Scarecrows being created each year for the public to view.

Each year, residents from the village of Flamstead create fabulous scarecrows and display them in their front gardens or around the village. There is a competition to see who can make the best scarecrow. Those attending the festival purchase voting forms and vote for their favourite scarecrows.

The festival is run for charity, as a fundraiser by volunteers and relies on the goodwill of those attending to help make the festival a success.

For many years, the festival was expertly run by Paul Mcmahon, Sally Wagon and their team on the Scarecrow Committee. The two charities which benefitted from the Scarecrow Festival were the Friends of St Leonard’s and the Herts Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre.

In 2018, Paul and Sally stepped down after many years of hard work and Clare Rudd took over the reins. In 2018, in addition to providing a fantastic day out for those attending the festival, the festival was run for the sole benefit of St Leonard’s Church. The £23,000 raised from the festival was donated towards saving the historic church at the centre of village life. This church was in threat of closure if the roof had not been repaired.

In 2019 the festival was cancelled due to tragic events which took place in the village shortly before the event was due to take place. In 2020 and 2021, the event was cancelled due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

In 2022 the festival was held for the first time since 2018. The festival raised £18,000, with £13k raised going to Friends of St Leonard’s and over £5k benefitting other local charities and causes.

In 2023 the festival raised £11,000 and in 2024, now under the leadership of Janet Bowie, over £11,000 was raised. This was split between FoSL and other local charities and good causes.

The Flamstead Scarecrow Festival is back for 2026 and will be held on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of August. We look forward to welcoming you back!