One of our favourite events of the year – the Halesworth Scarecrow Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever! The Halesworth Morsbags Group and Hetty’s Little Copy Shop have been busy sewing and printing bunting to decorate the town and the shops. Our fantastic business owners and groups have nearly finished their fantastic Disney & Pixar themed scarecrows to go on show from Saturday 19th October.
There will also be a display of Scarecrows in St Mary’s Church this year for businesses and groups who don’t have a shop frontage in town. The usual Scarecrow Trail will be in full swing soon with forms available from the Library & Hetty’s Little Copy Shop in the Thoroughfare and the Halesworth Bookshop in the Market Place – £1 each with proceeds going towards the Christmas Lights Switch on. There are cash prizes to be won! New to the Scarecrow Festival? It’s easy, collect your trail form from one of the shops above (don’t forget to bring a pen!) then make your way around the shops of Halesworth, keeping an eye our for the letters displayed in the windows and fill them in on your sheet. Once you have all the letters and you have completed the clues, hand your trail sheets back to one of the shops above. Don’t forget to write down your favourite scarecrow!
There are three car parks in central Halesworth, plus a train station 5 minutes walk from the town centre and several bus stops. Please click the button below for further transport information. The newly installed Wayfinding Signage will help you find your way around town, as well as providing interesting stories about the town! There are public toilets located in the Town Park and the Marketplace, these can be found on the map below.
We have been working with some of our local groups and organisations to provide some other fantastic events to run alongside the Scarecrow Festival and keep the little people entertained during Half Term – we are thrilled to say that most of these events are FREE. See what we have planned below. And don’t forget if you are in need of childcare, Mr Saunders fantastic Sports Camp is available on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday of Half Term and open to all local primary school children, regardless of what school they attend.
Saturday 19th October
Scarecrow Trail Live!
All through Halesworth Thoroughfare and Market Place. Runs until Saturday 2nd November. See above for where to collect your forms
Free Scarecrow Trail Crafts
At Halesworth Library, 10.30-11.30am
Thursday 24th October
Halloween Disco
At Apollo Youth Club, Halesworth. 7.15pm-9pm. For children in school years 7, 8, 9 & 10. Fancy Dress Competition.
Saturday 26th October – Sunday 3rd November
Free Halloween Trail
Around Halesworth Library, running every day the library is open
Sunday 27th October
Free Children’s Light Party (Under 12’s)
At St Mary’s Church 4pm-5.30pm, an alternate celebration to Halloween focusing on light.
Monday 28th October
Catch the Scarecrow Train!
Departing Lowestoft at 11.06am, calling at Oulton Broad South and Beccles, arriving in Halesworth at 11.39am. Book tickets through Greater Anglia here.
Free Scarecrow Crafts
At St Mary’s Church from 12.30pm, including free drinks and snacks.
Tuesday 29th October
Free Family Pond Dipping
At the Arthurs Wood entrance to Millennium Green (near the railway bridge on Quay Street), 10-11.30am, please wear suitable clothing.
Make a clay pumpkin plaque
At Purple Pumpkin Creative Studio in the Thoroughfare, Halesworth – Book early through www.purplepumpkinstudio.co.uk
Thursday 31st October
Free Family Picnic & Toy Exchange
At St Marys Church, 11.30-1.30pm
Friday 1st November
Free Children’s Story telling events at Halesworth Library
Fairytales (under 5’s) 11am, 12.30pm & 2pm.
Magical Tales (7+) 12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm.
If this isn’t enough to keep you busy, then the Halesworth and District Museum is also open over Half Term, based at the train station and full of interesting things. Or, view the latest exhibition at the Cut Arts Centre, or explore the Malt Trail Experience upstairs to learn about Halesworth’s beer brewing history.
The town park and Millennium Green are a great place to take a stroll or a cycle. The Thoroughfare and Market Place are full of interesting shops and beautiful cosy cafes and pubs with open fires – all child friendly of course! And don’t forget Wednesday is Market Day.