At New Copford Place, the Colchester-based residential care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly, the residents and care team have put on their red and green Mario Brothers’ caps and created three amazing entries into this year’s Copford and Easthorpe Scarecrow Festival.

“We entered the Copford and Easthorpe Scarecrow Festival when it was last held and were so pleased that the Judges awarded us two wins for our beautiful ‘Marilyn’, First Place in the Peoples’ Choice Scarecrow Award, and Joint Second Place in the Business Scarecrow Award category,” said Chelsey Leather, the Activities Coordinator at New Copford Place.

“This year we wanted to do something that mirrored our residents, so the famous Nintendo™ duo – The Mario Brothers – who are cheerful and brave and Princess Peach who is kind, compassionate and classy – fit the brief perfectly.”

Chelsey, the care team and residents wasted no time in getting to grips with creating the magical trio. “During our arts and crafts sessions, the residents got creative and designed the three scarecrows,” continued Chelsey. “We looked at images of the characters to make sure we had the bodies and facial characteristics right and got busy. I made the patterns for the bodies and sewed them together, and the residents helped to stuff the scarecrows, painted a princess perfect face on to Peach and added the brother’s iconic moustaches.

“Once this was done, we dressed the delightful characters in their renowned and legendary outfits – the brother’s famous blue dungarees, red and green tops and initialled caps and Princess Peach’s signature and classic pink gown and crown. Even if we do say so ourselves, they do look extremely realistic.”

“Everyone at the care home thought Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach looked out of this world,” added Daniel Sabau, the Registered Manager at New Copford Place. “We positioned them on a bench outside the care home, and they look ready to embark on one of their many adventures – and say ‘Hi’ to all the local community members – and Judges – who come to see them on the Scarecrow Trail.”

“As we were making the daring trio, the residents reminisced about scarecrows they had made in the past and shared their amazing Gallybagger – or scarecrow – trivia knowledge with each other,” continued Chelsey.

“I learnt quite a bit about the historical straw-filled models. Firstly, scarecrows primarily symbolise the harvest, agriculture, and rural autumn life as they stand silently and still in empty fields as winter approaches and they carry deeper cultural meanings tied to protection. In addition, scarecrows have been around for thousands of years helping to save crops from birds and other animals. It was the Egyptians who first used scarecrows to protect their wheat fields along the River Nile from Quail flocks. Farmers installed wooden frames in their fields and covered them with nets. The farmers then hid in the fields, scared the Quail into the nets and took the bird’s home to eat. So, the arts and crafts sessions actually turned into great history classes too.”

Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach can be visited outside New Copford Place on Willow Park, just off the London Road.

“On Sunday 6th September we’ll be at The Copford Village Fete where the Judges will announce the winners of the Scarecrow Festival. We hope they like our courageous threesome and think they are as inspiring as we all do,” concluded Daniel.