Trick or treat? How to get into the spirit of Hallowe’en
with Deputy Editor Chris Lever
AAH - the bewitching hour, the hordes of kids in all manner of ghostly garbe waving sinister carved pumpkins, knocking on your door begging for sweets. Don’t you just love the Hallowe’en fright night in Calderdale?
I remember as a child around Highroad Well burning my fingers as I tried to keep a lit candle in place in a hollowed out swede or turnip thinking I looked the scariest of all my mates with the ripped bed sheet that I had painted to look like a ghost over the top of my coat.
Our neighbours laughed (or took pity) and handed over boiled sweets or a few pence. Happy days indeed.
Times may have changed, the younger children now come round with parents or guardians keeping a watchful eye - and often the whole family are wearing spooktacular outfits with their collection buckets at the ready for the confectionary or cash that gets handed over. Like carol singers at Christmas, it can be quite a community effort on some estates and a chance to catch up with neighbours that you may not see for weeks.
My own kids now are grown up now so I will not need that frightful old sheet to trail around the streets of Shelf - but a tub of chocolates will be on hand so I don’t miss a trick...or treat.
There’s loads going on in our district to enjoy the Hallowe’en spirit. Pumpkin carving, ghost trails and food festivals a plenty to keep you out of mischief before bonfire night.
Check out our Go Guide for more.