By Heather Ryce

BOTHWELL’S biggest event of the year began on Saturday 8^th September with The Scarecrow Festival. The nine day event is jam packed with activities for all the family having kicked off with the Scarecrow Champions League and 5K & 10K Fun Runs.

Even if you have missed out on those popular events there is still plenty to see and do over the next couple of days and this weekend the festival has organised live music, face-painting and the ‘Grand Scarecrow Parade’ which takes place Sunday 16^th September at 1pm. Other highlights include Comedy Nights, Farmer Markets and Art Exhibitions. For more information on what to expect and time of events click here

The Scarecrow Festival was an initiative of Brighter Bothwell, a local organisation, who wanted to ‘develop the feeling of community in Bothwell’. The festival has taken place annually since 2011 with thousands of locals, charities and businesses getting involved either by taking place in the parade, organised activities or creating their very own Scarecrow!

Credit: @MacMillanLan                       Credit: @DT_Glasgow

In 2017, there were over 450 Scarecrows on display around the village and over 30,000 followers – raising profiles for local businesses and awareness for local activities.

Credit: @WhatsonLShire

Surplus funds from the festival are donated to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, but other local charities can be seen getting involved in the festivities, setting up stalls to raise awareness and engaging with the community.

Lanarkshire Fundraisers who raise funds for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be attending on both Saturday and Sunday to talk to people about what work the SSPCA do in the local community and to raise money for the charity.

Shirley Watson, a volunteer fundraiser for SSPCA and vital member of Lanarkshire Fundraisers hopes to raise funds for Lanarkshire Rehoming Centre and spread the word of the important work the charity do for local wildlife and domestic pets.

Listen to Shirley speak about what Lanarkshire Fundraisers will be doing at the Scarecrow Festival 

Local businesses are also involved in the festival with Tunnock’s ‘delighted to support and take part’ and whose Vintage Van will lead the parade on Sunday. Sales Manager for Tunnock’s, Fergus Loudon, says it ‘brings the local community together’.

Labour Councillor Maureen Devlin for Bothwell and Uddingston says the Scarecrow Festival is a ‘brilliant idea’ which ‘increases Bothwell’s visibility’ and is a community event which the ‘majority of people engage with’. Councillor Devlin says the organising committee, The Bothwell Community Scarecrow Festival, who are behind the festival are made of up of a ‘cracking crew’.

With lots to see and do here’s hoping the Scarecrows scare the rain clouds away this weekend so the people and visitors of Bothwell can have fun in the sunshine!