About Ripley Scarecrows
Hunt for Boarglar Bill and his friends from Wednesday 21st - Monday 26th August 2019.
Organised by Karen Evans for the last sixteen years, the scarecrow trail was originally started to encourage visitors back to the countryside after the foot and mouth crisis and has a fun take on the traditional scarecrow hunt.
The Scarecrows are inspired by the story of Thomas de Ingilby, an ancestor of Sir Thomas Inglby of Ripley Castle, who saved King Edward III from a wild boar attack in 1355 and who’s crest (the boars head) is the emblem of Ripley village.
All the scarecrows have pigs heads and pig names such as Boarglar Bill, Pigmaylion, Porkupine, Thumboarlina, Statue of Liboarty etc (and any resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental! ).
Competition sheets cost £4 and list the names of the scarecrows. Each scarecrow has a number and the idea is to match the name to the number. Those who get them all correct are entered into a hat, with the winners drawn at random.
It is a great day out for people of all ages, young and old and a great way of seeing all that Ripley has to offer.
Ripley Scarecrows Description
Hunt for Boarglar Bill and his friends from Wednesday 21st - Monday 26th August 2019.
Organised by Karen Evans for the last sixteen years, the scarecrow trail was originally started to encourage visitors back to the countryside after the foot and mouth crisis and has a fun take on the traditional scarecrow hunt.
The Scarecrows are inspired by the story of Thomas de Ingilby, an ancestor of Sir Thomas Inglby of Ripley Castle, who saved King Edward III from a wild boar attack in 1355 and who’s crest (the boars head) is the emblem of Ripley village.
All the scarecrows have pigs heads and pig names such as Boarglar Bill, Pigmaylion, Porkupine, Thumboarlina, Statue of Liboarty etc (and any resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental! ).
Competition sheets cost £4 and list the names of the scarecrows. Each scarecrow has a number and the idea is to match the name to the number. Those who get them all correct are entered into a hat, with the winners drawn at random.
It is a great day out for people of all ages, young and old and a great way of seeing all that Ripley has to offer.
Reviews
Drum roll please.... This years winners are....
Most popular Scarecrow for 2018 - Hamton of the Opera & The Chauvinist Pig Vicar's Choice - Hogzilla
... Ripley Castle Family ticket - J Higgins, Rochdale Icecream Voucher - L Holt, Harrogate Boars Head Voucher - N Wright, Boroughbridge Live for Today Voucher - D Burrett, Harrogate
Congratulations to you all (Winners have been sent an an email, vouchers are in the post).
Once again, thank you so much to everyone who hunted scarecrows, made scarecrows, baked cakes, helped in the cafe, climbed towers, strung up zip lines, sold sweeties and much more. The weather may not have helped but it was still a huge success. Fingers crossed for more sunshine next year.
Don't forget if you enjoyed our event please leave us a review and tell your friends. Get it in the diary too - Wednesday 21st August - Monday 26th August 2019.
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🐷 It’s our last day! Don’t let this mornings showers out you off coming to hunt for Scarecrows today - it is due to be dry from about 10am. Due to the consistent heavy rain yesterday some of our Scarecrows are looking a tad soggy and sorry for themselves so please excuse their appearance 😔. Don’t forget we will also be doing Teddies off the tower 11-12 and 2-3.
All the shops, Castle, pub and church are open today. So plenty to see and do. We look forward to seeing you.
🌧 So the weather forecast isn’t that great... but it’s not raining yet! So come on down to Ripley and find our Scarecrows before the rain comes. Alternatively just get a brolly and put some wellies on and come and jump in puddles this afternoon. It’s only water! 🐷
The sun is truly shinning today ☀️☀️☀️ - the perfect weather for hunting Scarecrows and zip lining your teddy from the church tower. And once you’ve found Boarglar Bill and all his friends why not buy yourself an awesome Boarglar Bill badge.
Don’t let the rain put you off. Put your wellies on and come and jump in some puddles whilst you hunt for Scarecrows. There’s plenty of interesting places to stop and take shelter... church, the tea rooms, castle gift shop, blue belle botanical, just Makers...
Teddies off the Tower. Teddlington made it (with a bit of a bump!) Can yours?
This afternoon 2-3, Saturday 11-12 and 2-3, Sunday 2-3 and Monday 11-12 and 2-3. £2 a go.
Day 3. The sun is finally shinning bright ☀️ but there’s a bit of a breeze so you might want to bring a jumper!
Another lost and found: a digital camera has been found in the playground today. If it is yours please message us and describe it and I can tell you where to collect it from.
Lost and found: a pair of child’s glasses. Left behind after Teddies off the Tower this afternoon. If they are yours please let us know. They are currently safe in the church kitchen.
Day 2 and the sun will hopefully shine all day. 🌤 Reports coming in that this is the best year yet so come on down and hunt for Boarglar Bill and and his friends. Don’t forget Teddies off the Tower too.
We also have a great little tent in the church yard with a teddy tombola, tombola, sweetie jars (everyone’s a winner!) and a little stand selling beautiful handmade hair grips.
Church is open too from 10-4 serving lovely tea/coffee/hot chocolate and more yummy homemade cakes....
If you’ve already been and really enjoyed it please tell all your friends and leave us a review. 🐷
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Today’s the day! We’re almost set (a couple are late to the party) and the sun is trying to shine so come to Ripley and see if you can find Boarglar bill and his 27 Friends.
Don’t forget we have Teddies off the Tower 11-12 and 2-3 (weather dependent). £2 a go.
EDIT: Only 4 days to go! So much to do so little time left to do it in!! Busy making badges for “Teddies off the Tower”.
Zip line your little one’s teddy/doll/action figure/blanky off the top of All Saints Church Tower. We will be running two sessions every day 11-12 and 2-3. (Weather dependent). £2 per go and each child/teddy gets a badge and a bravery certificate.
Edit: THERE WILL BE NO SESSION ON SUNDAY MORNING DUE TO CHURCH SERVICE.
Another relatively new small business in Ripley is Blue Belle Botanical. A gorgeous flower shop by the village hall (where the post office used to be). They sell beautiful flowers and pot plants and can do little posies, large bouquets and even weddings. Please pop in if you’re in the area.
One of the main reasons for scarecrow festival starting nearly 17 years ago was to support the businesses in Ripley by bringing people back into the village after Foot and Mouth. We are very lucky to still have our village shop, post office and pub but we also have some relatively new business such as Just Makers. A fabulous shop full of beautiful hand crafted items and art work. Please pop in if you are in the area.
Goodness where does the time go? Some schools have already broken up, some break up in a couple of weeks, either way it is only 6 weeks until Ripley Scarecrows start again. Woohoo!!!
Wednesday 22nd - Monday 27th August 2018. Get it in the diary, tell all your friends and get ready to start hunting. It's going to be awesome.
"Teddies off the Tower" will also be returning - zip line your teddy or doll of All Saints Church Tower, get them a bravery certificate and badge and... race your friends (dates and times tbc).
More info to follow soon....
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Drum roll please.... This years winners are....
Most popular Scarecrow for 2017 - Hogwash
Ripley Castle Family ticket - M Morgan & Family, Bramham... Icecream Voucher - Olivia Swallow & Family, Dunnington Boars Head Voucher - Annabelle & Madeline Bolton, Huby Live for Today Voucher - Jon Bassham, Harrogate
Congratulations to you all (Winners should have received an email last night, vouchers are in the post).
Once again, thank you so much to everyone who hunted scarecrows, made scarecrows, baked cakes, helped in the cafe, climbed towers, strung up zip lines, sold sweeties and much more. This year has been huge but lets make next year even bigger!
If you know of anyone who might like to sponsor us (e.g help with printing of competition sheets) please let us know. x
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What a lovely surprise when we arrived at Ripley today. I'm almost certain the 39 and 69 year olds had more fun than the kids. What time, care, attention and fun has gone into the piggy festival. We will definitely have it in the calendar for next year.
We try to go every year, the kids love it. Good to see the scarecrows were put in different places to last year, so it might it a bit more of a challenge. Brilliant day out.
We spent a fantastic relaxing afternoon hunting scarecrows today and would definitely recommend it to all.
A perfect afternoon out for us - us grandparents, our daughter & son-in-law and grandchildren (2 1/2 & 4 months old).
We do the Ripley Scarecrow trail every year and love it! This year was great and the kids really enjoyed the teddy zip wire too!
We came for the first time last year and thought it was fantastic. The thought, time and effort put into the scarecrows is incredible. We've been back today and had another brilliant time! Can't wait for next year now!
My girls and I go every year and it never let's us down, such great fun for us all, well recommended, boars are so well decorated, well worth a visit,
It took us about three hours to get round them all.but worth ital the work people have put into making them . Me and my daughter had a it of fun doing the competition.
I am from Boston and I have enjoyed watching your hunt for several years now. I hope you will add pictures of previous years here, big pictures so those of us who cannot come visit can see the details.
Thank you
Ham-azing effort this year. My girls look forward to this every year, and it never disappoints. A massive thank you to the organisers who make it happen.
Had a great afternoon looking for the scarecrows. My nephews came over from Leeds. A fab family activity. �
Great day out for everyone, well organised, lots of fun x
Good family fun, think we enjoyed it as much as the boys
Finally made it after years saying we should go. Such a fun & entertaining experience plus delicious cake & a coffee in the church afterwards. Highly recommended!
Fabulous fun for all. Tall and short people like.
Reminds of one of the reasons I love Harrogate and Ripley, for their inclusive and family outlook.
Great fun! Not a moment to be boar'd ;-)
Excellent fun for all of our group - aged 20 months up to 39 years! Many made us laugh with their names whilst the children truly enjoyed running around from one pig to another! The effort put in to the event and the pigs is really admirable! See you again next year! �
Brilliant! We've been a few times now, and this year (2017) was the best. Well done Ripley and thank you to all the volunteers! Will be back next year to try the teddy zip line as missed this event. PS church is worth a stop for lovely cakes a tea to refresh mid hunt!
Brilliant scarecrows this year, and the teddy zip wire was amazing!! 😀 Thank you so much to everyone involved for all your hard work. 🐖🐷
Brilliant day out! Really gets you thinking on someone the little piggies � Next year maybe open the fields next to car park (that are used when the car boot is on) so there are plenty of spaces. Other than that fantastic, we'll be back next year! X
What a lovely surprise when we arrived at Ripley today. I'm almost certain the 39 and 69 year olds had more fun than the kids. What time, care, attention and fun has gone into the piggy festival. We will definitely have it in the calendar for next year.
We try to go every year, the kids love it. Good to see the scarecrows were put in different places to last year, so it might it a bit more of a challenge. Brilliant day out.
We spent a fantastic relaxing afternoon hunting scarecrows today and would definitely recommend it to all.
A perfect afternoon out for us - us grandparents, our daughter & son-in-law and grandchildren (2 1/2 & 4 months old).
We do the Ripley Scarecrow trail every year and love it! This year was great and the kids really enjoyed the teddy zip wire too!
We came for the first time last year and thought it was fantastic. The thought, time and effort put into the scarecrows is incredible. We've been back today and had another brilliant time! Can't wait for next year now!
My girls and I go every year and it never let's us down, such great fun for us all, well recommended, boars are so well decorated, well worth a visit,
It took us about three hours to get round them all.but worth ital the work people have put into making them . Me and my daughter had a it of fun doing the competition.
I am from Boston and I have enjoyed watching your hunt for several years now. I hope you will add pictures of previous years here, big pictures so those of us who cannot come visit can see the details.
Thank you
Ham-azing effort this year. My girls look forward to this every year, and it never disappoints. A massive thank you to the organisers who make it happen.
Had a great afternoon looking for the scarecrows. My nephews came over from Leeds. A fab family activity. �
Great day out for everyone, well organised, lots of fun x
Good family fun, think we enjoyed it as much as the boys
Finally made it after years saying we should go. Such a fun & entertaining experience plus delicious cake & a coffee in the church afterwards. Highly recommended!
Fabulous fun for all. Tall and short people like.
Reminds of one of the reasons I love Harrogate and Ripley, for their inclusive and family outlook.
Great fun! Not a moment to be boar'd ;-)
Excellent fun for all of our group - aged 20 months up to 39 years! Many made us laugh with their names whilst the children truly enjoyed running around from one pig to another! The effort put in to the event and the pigs is really admirable! See you again next year! �
Brilliant! We've been a few times now, and this year (2017) was the best. Well done Ripley and thank you to all the volunteers! Will be back next year to try the teddy zip line as missed this event. PS church is worth a stop for lovely cakes a tea to refresh mid hunt!
Brilliant scarecrows this year, and the teddy zip wire was amazing!! 😀 Thank you so much to everyone involved for all your hard work. 🐖🐷
Brilliant day out! Really gets you thinking on someone the little piggies � Next year maybe open the fields next to car park (that are used when the car boot is on) so there are plenty of spaces. Other than that fantastic, we'll be back next year! X
What a lovely surprise when we arrived at Ripley today. I'm almost certain the 39 and 69 year olds had more fun than the kids. What time, care, attention and fun has gone into the piggy festival. We will definitely have it in the calendar for next year.
We try to go every year, the kids love it. Good to see the scarecrows were put in different places to last year, so it might it a bit more of a challenge. Brilliant day out.
We spent a fantastic relaxing afternoon hunting scarecrows today and would definitely recommend it to all.
A perfect afternoon out for us - us grandparents, our daughter & son-in-law and grandchildren (2 1/2 & 4 months old).
We do the Ripley Scarecrow trail every year and love it! This year was great and the kids really enjoyed the teddy zip wire too!
We came for the first time last year and thought it was fantastic. The thought, time and effort put into the scarecrows is incredible. We've been back today and had another brilliant time! Can't wait for next year now!
My girls and I go every year and it never let's us down, such great fun for us all, well recommended, boars are so well decorated, well worth a visit,
It took us about three hours to get round them all.but worth ital the work people have put into making them . Me and my daughter had a it of fun doing the competition.
I am from Boston and I have enjoyed watching your hunt for several years now. I hope you will add pictures of previous years here, big pictures so those of us who cannot come visit can see the details.
Thank you
Ham-azing effort this year. My girls look forward to this every year, and it never disappoints. A massive thank you to the organisers who make it happen.
Had a great afternoon looking for the scarecrows. My nephews came over from Leeds. A fab family activity. �
Great day out for everyone, well organised, lots of fun x
Good family fun, think we enjoyed it as much as the boys
Finally made it after years saying we should go. Such a fun & entertaining experience plus delicious cake & a coffee in the church afterwards. Highly recommended!
Fabulous fun for all. Tall and short people like.
Reminds of one of the reasons I love Harrogate and Ripley, for their inclusive and family outlook.
Great fun! Not a moment to be boar'd ;-)
Excellent fun for all of our group - aged 20 months up to 39 years! Many made us laugh with their names whilst the children truly enjoyed running around from one pig to another! The effort put in to the event and the pigs is really admirable! See you again next year! �
Brilliant! We've been a few times now, and this year (2017) was the best. Well done Ripley and thank you to all the volunteers! Will be back next year to try the teddy zip line as missed this event. PS church is worth a stop for lovely cakes a tea to refresh mid hunt!
Brilliant scarecrows this year, and the teddy zip wire was amazing!! 😀 Thank you so much to everyone involved for all your hard work. 🐖🐷
Brilliant day out! Really gets you thinking on someone the little piggies � Next year maybe open the fields next to car park (that are used when the car boot is on) so there are plenty of spaces. Other than that fantastic, we'll be back next year! X
What a lovely surprise when we arrived at Ripley today. I'm almost certain the 39 and 69 year olds had more fun than the kids. What time, care, attention and fun has gone into the piggy festival. We will definitely have it in the calendar for next year.
We try to go every year, the kids love it. Good to see the scarecrows were put in different places to last year, so it might it a bit more of a challenge. Brilliant day out.
We spent a fantastic relaxing afternoon hunting scarecrows today and would definitely recommend it to all.
A perfect afternoon out for us - us grandparents, our daughter & son-in-law and grandchildren (2 1/2 & 4 months old).
We do the Ripley Scarecrow trail every year and love it! This year was great and the kids really enjoyed the teddy zip wire too!
We came for the first time last year and thought it was fantastic. The thought, time and effort put into the scarecrows is incredible. We've been back today and had another brilliant time! Can't wait for next year now!
My girls and I go every year and it never let's us down, such great fun for us all, well recommended, boars are so well decorated, well worth a visit,
It took us about three hours to get round them all.but worth ital the work people have put into making them . Me and my daughter had a it of fun doing the competition.
I am from Boston and I have enjoyed watching your hunt for several years now. I hope you will add pictures of previous years here, big pictures so those of us who cannot come visit can see the details.
Thank you
Ham-azing effort this year. My girls look forward to this every year, and it never disappoints. A massive thank you to the organisers who make it happen.
Had a great afternoon looking for the scarecrows. My nephews came over from Leeds. A fab family activity. �
Great day out for everyone, well organised, lots of fun x
Good family fun, think we enjoyed it as much as the boys
Finally made it after years saying we should go. Such a fun & entertaining experience plus delicious cake & a coffee in the church afterwards. Highly recommended!
Fabulous fun for all. Tall and short people like.
Reminds of one of the reasons I love Harrogate and Ripley, for their inclusive and family outlook.
Great fun! Not a moment to be boar'd ;-)
Excellent fun for all of our group - aged 20 months up to 39 years! Many made us laugh with their names whilst the children truly enjoyed running around from one pig to another! The effort put in to the event and the pigs is really admirable! See you again next year! �
Brilliant! We've been a few times now, and this year (2017) was the best. Well done Ripley and thank you to all the volunteers! Will be back next year to try the teddy zip line as missed this event. PS church is worth a stop for lovely cakes a tea to refresh mid hunt!
Brilliant scarecrows this year, and the teddy zip wire was amazing!! 😀 Thank you so much to everyone involved for all your hard work. 🐖🐷
Brilliant day out! Really gets you thinking on someone the little piggies � Next year maybe open the fields next to car park (that are used when the car boot is on) so there are plenty of spaces. Other than that fantastic, we'll be back next year! X
What a lovely surprise when we arrived at Ripley today. I'm almost certain the 39 and 69 year olds had more fun than the kids. What time, care, attention and fun has gone into the piggy festival. We will definitely have it in the calendar for next year.
We try to go every year, the kids love it. Good to see the scarecrows were put in different places to last year, so it might it a bit more of a challenge. Brilliant day out.
We spent a fantastic relaxing afternoon hunting scarecrows today and would definitely recommend it to all.
A perfect afternoon out for us - us grandparents, our daughter & son-in-law and grandchildren (2 1/2 & 4 months old).
We do the Ripley Scarecrow trail every year and love it! This year was great and the kids really enjoyed the teddy zip wire too!
We came for the first time last year and thought it was fantastic. The thought, time and effort put into the scarecrows is incredible. We've been back today and had another brilliant time! Can't wait for next year now!
My girls and I go every year and it never let's us down, such great fun for us all, well recommended, boars are so well decorated, well worth a visit,
It took us about three hours to get round them all.but worth ital the work people have put into making them . Me and my daughter had a it of fun doing the competition.
I am from Boston and I have enjoyed watching your hunt for several years now. I hope you will add pictures of previous years here, big pictures so those of us who cannot come visit can see the details.
Thank you
Ham-azing effort this year. My girls look forward to this every year, and it never disappoints. A massive thank you to the organisers who make it happen.
Had a great afternoon looking for the scarecrows. My nephews came over from Leeds. A fab family activity. �
Great day out for everyone, well organised, lots of fun x
Good family fun, think we enjoyed it as much as the boys
Finally made it after years saying we should go. Such a fun & entertaining experience plus delicious cake & a coffee in the church afterwards. Highly recommended!
Fabulous fun for all. Tall and short people like.
Reminds of one of the reasons I love Harrogate and Ripley, for their inclusive and family outlook.
Great fun! Not a moment to be boar'd ;-)
Excellent fun for all of our group - aged 20 months up to 39 years! Many made us laugh with their names whilst the children truly enjoyed running around from one pig to another! The effort put in to the event and the pigs is really admirable! See you again next year! �
Brilliant! We've been a few times now, and this year (2017) was the best. Well done Ripley and thank you to all the volunteers! Will be back next year to try the teddy zip line as missed this event. PS church is worth a stop for lovely cakes a tea to refresh mid hunt!
Brilliant scarecrows this year, and the teddy zip wire was amazing!! 😀 Thank you so much to everyone involved for all your hard work. 🐖🐷
Brilliant day out! Really gets you thinking on someone the little piggies � Next year maybe open the fields next to car park (that are used when the car boot is on) so there are plenty of spaces. Other than that fantastic, we'll be back next year! X