Motoring & Transport | Posted on September 22nd, 2025 | return to news

Prizes awarded to best West Moors’ scarecrows

A scarecrow competition with the theme ‘20 is Plenty’ resulted in 27 new residents appearing in West Moors in August and September.

Prizes have been awarded to residents who took part in a competition to create a scarecrow with the theme ‘20 is Plenty’, which resulted in 27 new residents popping up in West Moors in August and September.

The human-sized scarecrows included the message 20 is Plenty to raise awareness about road safety in the community and promoting safe speeds to protect children and families on the roads. The town council is also currently considering whether to apply to Dorset Council to reduce speed limits to 20 miles per hour (mph) in parts of West Moors.

As the number of scarecrows grew, so did the community spirit.

The competition was organised by Cllr Andy Skeats. He said: “It was a fine example of what happens when a community gets together and has some fun. The number of people taking part has been quite considerable.

“The vicar of St Mary’s Church, Revd Lizzie Duckhouse, was very active making scarecrows with young people, and there have been numerous competition prizes donated by local businesses.”

First prize went to the Long family in Station Road for their pair of schoolchildren scarecrows.

Second prize was awarded to The Coffee Lounge in Station Road whose creation raised additional funds: ribbons were added when donations were made.

In third place was Gary the Scarecrow in Kingfisher Close.

A special prize went to Leah in The Avenue who made a colourful ‘diver’ in an hour. Envisage Dental also received an accolade for using up their out-of-date Covid gear to construct their scarecrow.

The competition entry fees raised £270 for St Mary’s School Safety Fund. Judges were Revd Lizzie Duckhouse, vicar of St Mary’s Church; Ian Linehan, chairman of West Moors Memorial Hall, and local resident Janine Pulford, one of the directors of Pulford Publicity (the publisher of this website).