SCARECROWS could soon be popping up in gardens throughout Dunbar.

The town had been due to toast two milestones in its history this summer before coronavirus forced the cancellation of activities across the country.

Dunbar Community Council was planning a week-long celebration to mark the 650th anniversary of the granting of a Burgh Charter to the town by King David II.

At the same time, the town was due to hold its 50th anniversary of Civic Week.

George Robertson, who heads the organising committee of Civic Week, told the Courier the anniversaries were “too important to be missed” and instead a trio of competitions had been drawn up.

He said: “It is Eileen Moore [a member of the organising committee] who is really organising the competition.

“She came up with the idea and I think it is a great one.

“Hopefully, it will lift the spirits of the people in the town when they are in lockdown and getting a bit bored and also mark the occasion.

“We were planning a big event this year that had to go by the board but at least this will give something.”

Each year, children in Dunbar have the chance to make up the Royal Court, including the Civic Week Queen.

This year’s event was due to take place between June 13 and 21 and was to feature a variety of events, including the crowning of the Civic Week Queen.

However, the entire programme had to be shelved due to the global pandemic.

Eileen added: “Families are looking for positive and creative activities at this time, something that can be done at home, and something that can keep Civic Week alive for another year.

“It will not be the same as our fun day, but it will be a wonderful chance to show what our wonderful people in Dunbar are capable of.”

The competition is split into three: best dressed house, best dressed window and best dressed scarecrow.

Pictures of homes and windows should be sent to dunbarcivicweek@outlook.com, with the pictures then shared on social media.

The scarecrow should ideally represent any well-known person connected to Dunbar over the past 650 years, such as Oliver Cromwell, John Muir, Black Agnes, Robert Wilson, General Sir Reginald Wingate or Mary Queen of Scots.

All entries should be sent in by 11pm on June 11 to email address dunbarcivicweek@outlook.com

For more details, go to www.dunbarcivicweek.org.uk