Basingstoke care home’s a-maize-ing scarecrow festival returns

A local care home is preparing to have a ‘bale of a time’ hosting its very own scarecrow festival for the second year in a row.  

Care UK’s Dashwood Manor, on Bradley Way, is inviting members of the community and local groups to get crafty and create scarecrows from scratch. 

Scarecrows must showcase creativity, and could be influenced by favourite TV shows, pop stars, politicians – or anything local people find inspiring. 

Entries for the competition need to be dropped off at the home between Monday 18^th September and Friday 22^nd September where they will be displayed in Dashwood Manor’s outdoor areas as part of their very own scarecrow festival. 

The community is invited to visit the home at 3pm on Saturday 23^rd September where the scarecrows will be judged by the Lord Mayor of Basingstoke, Councillor David Leeks. He will award trophies to the best scarecrows.

Dil Perera, Home Manager at Dashwood Manor, said: “Last year we all enjoyed getting crafty and creating scarecrows for Dashwood Manor’s Scarecrow Festival. From sourcing outfits, deciding on celebrities to imitate, and staging them in the garden, everyone is excited to get stuck in again this year. 

“Both team members and residents are looking forward to seeing the entries from the community again this year and judging which ones they think should be crowned the winner.

“Even if you don’t consider yourself crafty, this is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in a community event – and who knows, you may even be voted outstanding in their field!”

Dashwood Manor – which opened in September 2021 – is designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives while also promoting independence. The new care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities with luxury facilities, including a café, hair and beauty salon, cinema, bar and gardens.