Scarecrows on parade in Williton (From Somerset County Gazette)
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Scarecrows on parade in Williton
10:00am Sunday 7th October 2012 in West Somerset
By Hannah Green
Marie Ellis and Sharon Hudson, with Peter Ellis, two, and Amy Burnett, three. PHOTO: Steve Guscott
SCARECROWS who were very much alive filled the streets of Williton on Friday.
Pupils from Danesfield School joined staff and residents of Croft House care home in dressing up to launch a scheme which aims to create one of the first dementia friendly communities in the country.
The parade started at the care home and ended at the school and was part of the ‘Archie’s Story’ project Somerset Care, Reminiscence Learning in Taunton and Exeter
University are running.
The name comes from a book written and illustrated by Fiona Mahoney, from Reminiscence Learning, about a scarecrow living with dementia, designed to raise awareness of the illness to all age groups.
Croft House manager Diane Allen said: “I would like to extend my thanks to the staff and pupils of Danesfield School for the wonderful reception we received at the end of the scarecrow parade.
“On entering the school grounds we were greeted with a huge cheer as more than 500 people – the majority dressed as scarecrows – waved banners and then joined our walk around the school field.
“The event was a wonderful example of community spirit and this level of support for ‘Archie’s Story’ makes me confident that Williton will be a dementia-friendly community.”
