Scarecrows
A walk for Halloween
by Keef Charles
Trick or treat?
It’s early October and I’m working at a friend’s place, down the lane from where I used to live, out in the sticks, two thirds the way toward top of hill, villages of Llanfynydd and Ffrith nestled in valley below.
Driving past my old family home, I noticed an effigy of Boris Johnson and laughed out loud, at the wood placed strategically at his feet, bonfire fashion. No, I’m not a sadist but I detest our Prime Minister and what he stands for. Anyway, moving on, I surmised it was something to do with Bonfire Night, where many in Britain tear up the black evening sky with a torrent of fireworks and rend the air asunder with deafening explosions. Didn’t think much more about it until driving home on the western route, I spied a couple more effigies, looking more like strange scarecrows, with their bright orange pumpkin heads. I was intrigued. However, with work building up and a trip to prepare for, I decided I wouldn’t have time to investigate.
A couple of days ago, though, I came back to the village to do a quote for a friend’s son, this time heading into the village from the east. Lo and behold, more scarecrows. OK, I thought, I must have a proper drive around and find out what’s it’s all about. Well, it was chucking it down, that is to say, raining heavily and besides, I didn’t have my GRll with me on this occasion. But, I knew I had to take a look.
Today, despite a need to complete my packing I ventured back. Why not? I could afford a little time. After all, I had some nervous energy to dissipate and some last minute shopping to do anyway, so I pocketed my Ricoh, just in case. Having driven the few extra miles, I discovered that a competition was taking place during the month of October, to build the best ‘scarecrow’. Profits in aid of charity, a fundraiser for the local horse riding school for the disabled.
Short of time, my trip was a leisurely drive, rather than a ramble, stopping whenever I spied something worth shooting. The quality of the creations varied but it was evident that people had fun in the process and I’m happy to say, shared their ribald humour. I don’t pretend for one minute that this is my most serious photographic work but, hey, it was fun.
I’d forgotten how beautiful the two villages, the hills and the valley were. When I lived here with my family, up until three years ago, despite the pleasure of many a walk up and over lanes and pasture, on through the forests, I kind of took this lovely landscape for granted. Until today, any return trips were tinged with sadness which marred the experience. Today was different, today was not the same. The camera lens showed me not only the mirth and merriment of others but the wonderful undulating countryside that was my home for many a happy year.
It was a treat.
