Community gets creative with town's homemade Guy display

Residents have been busy making their own ‘homemade Guys’ as part of Halstead’s Guy Fawkes Trail in the public gardens.

After a five-year break, Friends of the Public Gardens brought back Halstead’s homemade guy display as part of the town’s Guy Fawkes Trail.

The display saw about 20 ‘homemade Guys’ created from old clothes, newspapers, straw and other household items.

Many play schools, care homes and residents to the town brought their creations down to the park for 9am on Sunday morning.

Each Guy had a sheet of information, telling visitors who they were made by and who they were inspired by, as well as a stamp.

Volunteers Amy, Linda, Bella and Joshua monitored the event (Image: Halle Groves) Volunteers monitored the event, handing out sheets for children to collect stamp prints from each Guy.

Once they had completed the sheet and trail, each child was given a treat.

Some Guys were created as a tribute to lost loved ones, like eight-year-old Elsie who made her Guy in the image of her grandfather, Trevor, who died in 2016.

8-year-old Elsie created her Guy as a tribute to her grandfather Trevor, who sadly passed away . (Image: Halle Groves) Trevor’s information sheet read: "Grandad loved coming to the park to listen to the music when it was on. He also brought us grandchildren and we’d have great fun."

The town's 1st Halstead Brownies brought along a Guy display, creating club members sat around a campfire – featuring a table with club fliers and posters.

1st Halstead Brownies created a campfire scene (Image: Halle Groves) The community event also proved to be a fun and creative activity for residents of Blackthorns Care Home, who worked together to create a Guy inspired by Welsh singer, Sir Tom Jones.

Blackthorns Tom Jones inspired Guy 'hopes to meet Delilah' (Image: Halle Groves) About 100 children visited the park on Sunday to complete the trail along with their parents and family members.

Lead event organiser Linda Hilton said: “After a five-year break, we’re pleased to be back in the park.

“We had lots of people bringing their Guys, with around 20 entries from local care homes, playschools, clubs and residents.

“It was lovely to see such a great turn out and we’re glad the weather held off.

“We hope to bring the trail back next year."