Llysfaen Scarecrow Festival

Llysfaen can seem to be simply an elevated continuation of Old Colwyn, sprawling east from Colwyn Bay and climbing up Mynydd Marian to overlook the bay and the quarries where inhabitants of old once worked. But it is most definitely a village in its own right, and, as we discover today, a village with a strong sense of community. 

It seems the Scarecrow Festival is an annual event, and there are similar events at Christmas and at Halloween, but to my shame, this is our first visit. We join families walking the streets, looking for the various impressive specimens; I can’t believe just how creative people have been. There are film characters- Shrek, Elsa, The Mask, Wallace, Miss Piggy; TV ‘stars’ - Bill and Ben, Last of the Summer Wine’s Compo, Clegg and Foggy; errant horsemen and gardeners, builders, clowns, disco queens and sunbathers. There’s even a scarecrow wedding. There are teenagers, musicians, rugby players, drinks and aliens. The list is almost endless. Even Trump manages to make an appearance. 

With so many wonderful creations, it’s almost impossible to choose a main. As it is, I’ve gone for a collage, with 3 others as extras - so you’ll get a real flavour of this community event!