Baldock Festival News

One thing to start thinking about is your entry to the Baldock Scarecrow compeon. The inaugural scarecrow event last year produced some great entries and plenty of entertainment. But did you know that the tradion of scarecrows in Baldock goes back a lot longer. There has been a long history of crowning Scarecrow 'May Queens' up and down the country, which is why you oen see scarecrow compeons.

Baldock however, used to celebrate the May Lord and Lady. Two Scarecrows or effigies would be created out of rags, canvas, straw and other similar materials (like the old penny for the Guy Fawkes figures), and these would be dressed in donated clothes from friends and neighbours. There is an account in William Hone's Yearbook of 1832 that states the Lady would wear her best gown and an 'apron, kerchief and mob cap', while the Lord would wear a 'nutmeg coat, posied waistcoat, leather breeches, speckled stockings and half boots', as well as a 'second-hand flaxencoloured wig.' (not sure how many of you have any of that lying around the house!)

William goes on to explain that several pairs of the May Lords and Ladies would be made and on the morning of May Day each couple would be seated on chairs outside the coages around the town decorated with may flowers. A table would be placed in front of them and on this would be a 'mug of ale, a drinking horn, a pipe, a pair of spectacles and perhaps a newspaper'. A hat would be le out to collect contribuons from suitably impressed passers-by. So we want you to think about your Scarecrow entries this year – maybe the coronaon Of King Charles III on the 6th May will inspire you, maybe you would like to celebrate Star Wars Day on the 4th May , Internaonal Nurses day on the 12th May or just have your own lord and lady –whatever you fancy we would really encourage as many people as possible to get involved let's have some fun and maybe you can win a prize !