Gildersome Scarecrow competition

Litterpicking in Gildersome last Saturday

This Sunday is the date for Gildersomes now famous scarecrow competition. The competition - which has now been going for years - means the village of Gildersome is flooded with local and not so local visitors who flock to see the hundreds of scarecrows made by Gildersome residents in a funday trail of spotting them all!

This is a fabulous event and all credit should go to the organising committee and Gildersome Parish Council for putting on an event that brings so much joy - especially to families and children.

Many people believe I spend my time campaigning against other political parties and I am often accused of forgetting the more local issues. Which is why is was a pleasure to join local residents in Gildersome last weekend to help with a litterpick of the area prior to the Festival. Litterpicking is a therapeutic pastime and gives you a positive buzz as it is something tangible you are undertaking which makes the communities you represent better places to live. You can sometimes forget that important aspect when on focusing on the bigger and longer term issues.

I hope the weather holds out for Sunday. Even if it doesn't the Festival grows year by year and is a favourite day out for local people. I can only wish it the best for the future.