BRITAIN’S unforgettable summer of sport and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated at Belbroughton Scarecrow Festival on September 29 and 30.

Now in its 15th year, the event’s theme for 2012 is, well, 2012 and visitors can look forward to seeing quirky tributes to Her Majesty and Team GB’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes as they wander around the picturesque village streets.

More than 20,000 scarecrow fans from across the Midlands and further afield attended over two days in 2011 and the festival’s dedicated organisers are confident that figure will rise this year.

Last year there were nearly 100 straw characters festooned from buildings, street lamps and pubs and located in the church, on street benches, in private gardens and on the village green.

The 2012 event has something for everyone including a steam train, farmers’ market, craft fair, birds of prey, classic cars, farm animals and a re-enactment village with the Marquis of Newcastle’s regiment on foot.

At the Parish School there will be children’s inflatables, face painting, Air Ambulance pod, falconry displays, Lion’s BBQ and candy floss, drinks tent and craft stalls.

Other attractions include a man versus horse tug of war plus animals and reptiles from Dudley Zoo.

If you’re feeling peckish, there’s a wide range of food and drink items available with stalls selling hot pork baps, cakes and sandwiches, ice creams and even a champagne and cider tent.

In Holy Trinity Church, bell ringers will demonstrate how to chime a church bell and, if you’re feeling energetic, you can tackle a tower tour and climb the 69 steps to the top to enjoy views over the whole village and the beautiful Worcestershire countryside.

The church will also host an exhibition by Hagley Art Club and floral displays, music workshops, a performance by Holy Trinity Junior Musicians, organ recitals, a special scarecrow praise service. Tea and coffee will be served in the medieval church hall. All proceeds from the event go to local charities.

Admission fees have been held again this year and are £3 for adults, £2 for senior citizens and £1 for children aged between five and 14. A family ticket for two adults and up to three children under five costs £6.

Car parking is free and there is plenty of space on three designated car parks around the village.

Event spokesperson and programme editor Annette Adey said: “There really is something for everyone to enjoy and we are looking forward to welcoming all our visitors.

“The festival has been made possible because of help from the many volunteers – without them we could not stage the event. We’d like to thank all of them for their hard work.”

Volunteers are still needed and if anyone would like to help, they can contact Annette on 07523 274096 or email info@belbroughtonscarecrow.co.uk For more information about the event, visit www.belbroughtonscarecrow.co.uk