Roll on 2011 as the Westbury Park Festival is declared a success

The recent Westbury Park Festival - and in particular the scarecrow competition - has been hailed a success, and big thanks have been paid to everyone who took part.

More than 60 scarecrows were created for the competition and most survived the at times bad weather conditions.

The festival has raised at least £1,500 for three charities including the local residential special school St Christopher's.

Secretary Aidan Bowes said: "Since I joined the festival committee – some two and half years ago – we have wanted to run a scarecrow competition.

"Most of us have seen them around the country and we thought it would be a fantastic way to announce our presence to the world.

"From North View to Harcourt Road to Russell Grove, the scarecrows came out in force – even stretching off into Bishopston.

"Scarecrows were running, sitting, flying and fishing. There were giants, faeries, witches and wizards, robots, thieves, scientists and vampires. The sheer variety has been outstanding and all the scarecrow builders and admirers we have spoken to have enjoyed themselves immensely – whatever their age.

"Fortunately, most of the scarecrows survived the rain and wind."

The winner was a fantastic all-recycled robot on Devonshire Road and the runners-up were Bart Simpson (on Linden Road) and the mermaid on Berkeley Road. 

Aidan said there was a positive vibe throughout the festival, from the concert from the Bristol-based jazz band Hélélé on the first weekend, through to the street party in Bayswater Road, the open gardens event and the festival service on the last weekend, with plenty of other "awesome" events in between.

"Thank you to all the committee, the various helpers and family members, the stall holders and everyone who turned up to one or more events. Come January we will be planning Westbury Park Festival 2011," he said.

The three charities to benefit from the festival are St Christopher's School, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Live Life Then Give Life, a national charity promoting organ donation, and Tree Aid, which helps communities in Africa's drylands to fight poverty and become self-reliant, while improving the environment.