A FUNDRAISER will be held in Wem next month, in the form of a town-wide scarecrow competition.

Late last year a discussion was held on how to bring Wem back to the 'glory days', with a number of fundraising ideas planned.

One of these was a wheelbarrow race, held in December, which raised money for the mayor's fund, but since then most of the other planned events have been cancelled because of the Covid-19 crisis.

After being contacted by a Wem resident, the suggestion was put forward for a scarecrow competition to take place throughout the town.

This competition will now take place from Monday, August 3 to Saturday, August 8, with entry forms available shops around town.

A spokesman for the mayor's fund explained how the idea came about.

"Last December the committee met at the mayor's cheese and wine fundraiser and talked about the 'old days' in Wem and what activities we organised to get the community together," they said.

"By the end of the evening we had decided to do a Christmas themed pub wheelbarrow run. This was held in December and was great fun while raising money for the mayor's fund.

"Since then most fundraising and charity events have had to be cancelled because of Covid-19 and the problem of social distancing.

"However I received a private message on Facebook recently from a local girl, suggesting we do a scarecrow competition in Wem.

"These have been held around the country and prove to be fun for all ages and within the social distancing rules. So our committee has organised one for Wem town and once again try and raise a little money for the Mayor's Fund for local youth organisations."

Entry forms can be collected from Dedman's shop and The Fruitful Deli in Wem at a cost of £5 per family.

Scarecrows must be displayed Monday, August 3 to Saturday, August 8. All entries to be in by Friday, July 31 at the Deli.

On Saturday August 1 the entries will be listed and displayed on the Wem Community Facebook page and also in the window of the Fruitful Deli.

This will enable people to see the entries and plan their route around Wem to view them.

Judging will be done by the committee but there is an opportunity for families to judge also by picking up a judging sheet on Monday, August 3 which must be handed into The Deli by 4pm Saturday, August 8.

Results of the competition will be published on Tuesday, August 11.

Six Prizes of family hampers will be awarded with two of the prizes for The Most Original and The Most comical.

There will also be a prize donated by The Fruitful Deli for the winner chosen by the Family Judges.