There was much anticipation among the residents of Sonning when George and Amal Clooney finally moved into their 17th century mansion earlier this year after an intensive, 18-month long refurbishment.
The wives of this enchanting village were especially hopeful for an invitation from the new chateleine to a housewarming at Aberlash House — or even just a cup of tea.
But it soon became clear that only a select number of villagers from Sonning — which lies on the Thames just two miles outside Reading, Berkshire but feels like a fairyland at the end of the world — were to be welcomed into the Clooneys' orbit.
The Clooneys, one of the most high-profile couples on the world stage, have been virtually invisible in their home village, screened by a veil of lush foliage that reveals only a hint of rooftop and a glimmer of a boathouse next to the water's edge.
So the disappointed villagers decided that, if they were not to be permitted a glimpse of the Hollywood star and his barrister wife, they would have to create a George and Amal Clooney of their own.
They decided to create effigies of the pair which were displayed in the village during the recent Sonning Festival in May. The effigies reveal a splendid likeness, although they are, perhaps, more flattering to 55-year-old George than to his 38-year-old wife.
George is cool in one of those pale blue suits he favours and flip-flops on his feet. His wife, known for her extravagant dress sense, is in a red ruffled number adorned with gold stars, pointy black shoes and big black sunglasses. Cardboard boxes, symbolising the recent move, are scattered about them.
The Clooneys did not attend the Sonning Festival, just as they haven't yet attended any other village event. It is not clear whether they are aware of the models of them created by their neighbours.
But if they wish, they can check out the pictures of the effigies on the Sonning Scarecrow Trail Facebook page, captioned: 'At home with the Clooneys.'
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