60ft corn dolly creation to celebrate harvest at Dorset County Show
This year, the Dorset County Show is to celebrate the seasonal harvest with the creation of a celebratory Corn Dolly measuring 60 feet in length.
Audrey Rolfe with record breaking Corn Dolly
This year, the Dorset County Show is to celebrate the seasonal harvest with the creation of a celebratory Corn Dolly measuring 60 feet in length.
The Corn Dolly is to be made in a traditional Long Welsh Fan design and is being crafted by local Dorset resident and Guild of Straw Craftsmen member, Audrey Rolfe.
Audrey has been a corn dolly maker for some 37 years, and is well known as one of the finest exponents of the craft in the south west of England. The Dolly will be made from approximately 3,000 pieces of Maris Widgeon wheat straw, selected by Audrey for its durability and pliability – vital criteria for the intricate and painstaking plaiting of each stalk to achieve the design.
The Dorset County show falls on the first weekend of September, around the time of the Harvest Moon. Due to its timing on the agricultural show calendar, the Dorset County has always traditionally celebrated the harvest and the extensive grain tent which is always inundated with entries is a key attraction for visitors.
Show Secretary Sam Mackenzie-Green comments on the reason for creating the Corn Dolly this year. ‘We all know that 2014 has been a challenging year for farmers in the south west though thankfully the recent run of good weather has ensured a quick and easy harvest with minimal drying costs. The creation of this huge work of art will hopefully bestow huge amounts of good fortune on farmers for 2015.’
The Dolly, already 22ft in length is being stored on a cable reel at her home in Bridport, the ingenious idea of Audrey’s husband for keeping the dolly safe during the make.
The show, organisers have submitted the project to Guinness World Records and are waiting to hear if it will be confirmed as a record attempt.
The completed Corn Dolly will be displayed around the interior of the homecraft tent at the Dorset County Show which takes place on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September 2014. To see a video of the Corn Dolly in progress, click on the following link: http://youtu.be/7Uc_Q0q6NqE
Tickets are available via the website or local tourist information centres priced at £12 per adult. All under 16s go free.
Further information about the show can be found at www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk
