Villagers rejoice as a familiar face returns marking the start of Scarecrow Festival

A familiar face returned to Bothwell at the weekend bringing much joy to both locals and visitors.

Archie the village mascot returned to his prime position in the Main Street gardens marking the start of the Bothwell Scarecrow Festival 2021.

With last year's event being cancelled due to the pandemic, organisers are remaining cautious this year and have decided to host a scaled down festival - which will take place over one day, rather than the usual week long event in a bid to keep people safe.

Scarecrows can however, be displayed now for villagers and visitors to enjoy over the next month.

Then, on Sunday, September 26, the community will enjoy a family fun day within St Bride's Parish Hall, Fallside Road, with activities, stalls and an outdoor music stage featuring artists from Uddingston Music Club and Jumbo Gibson.

Archie the village mascot is back! (Hamilton Advertiser)

Event organiser Joe Mulholland told Lanarkshire Live : "It is a scaled down one-day event this year to support Wooddean phase 2 cycle fundraiser - although scarecrows will be on display throughout September.

"The fun day is on September 26 at St Brides Hall and promises to be a fab afternoon. with great live music from Uddingston Music Club which was formed during the lockdown by Guthrie Handley and Gary McNulty and became very popular with acts performing weekly for free online.

Jaws made an appearance at the Bothwell Scarecrow Festival a few years ago (Hamilton Advertiser)

"We hope people can make it along and join in the fun, whilst supporting the Wooddean phase 2 fundraiser."

Wooddean Phase 2 follows on after completion of Phase 1 - the new state-of-the-art playpark in Bothwell's Clyde Terrace earlier this year - and it is hoped that with further fundraising a new cycle path can be built as well as drainage to the north western part of the site.

The existing sports field will also be upgraded to be used as a multi-purpose surface to support both sports and non-sport events such as the Bothwell Scarecrow Festival in the future, and it hoped the path network will be completed and a natural Wetland Area established to the west of the park.

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