Crackdown on Mischief Night troubles
FARMAGGEDON has been named as one of the top 10 Hallowe’en events in the UK, and is now in the frame to be voted as the nation’s favourite.
The attraction in Downholland was chosen for the poll by Holiday Lettings and Trip Advisor thanks to its online popularity.
Mark Edwards, owner of Farmer Ted’s, where Farmaggedon is held, said: “Farmaggedon has been going 12 years and winning WEST Lancashire Community Safety Partnership is aiming to tackle anti-social behaviour in the run up to Mischief Night and Bonfire Night.
Through the annual Bright Sparx Campaign, the partnership will aim to reduce anti-social behaviour, such as the misuse of fireworks, criminal damage and the number of fires started deliberately.
Heidi McDougall, Community Safety Partnership chairperson, said: “Our comprehensive Bright Sparx action plan draws on experience of previous years to tackle potential dangers to would be a huge ‘thank you’ to the team that help create the sets, the fantastic make up crew, the behind-thescene techs and of course our fabulous actors who help bring alive the event and submerse the customers into a world of eternal Hell.
“This year we have revamped our original scare house and rethemed it.
“It is twice the size with complete with church, chapel of rest, voodoo parlour, grand stair case and a demonic kitchen called the Boiling Pot. keep residents safe.”
In the run up to bonfire night neighbourhood policing teams will be conducting visible patrols and will deal robustly with incidents of anti-social behaviour.
West Lancashire Borough Council, police and the fire service will:
Visit young people who have been involved in anti-social behaviour during previous Mischief Night and Bonfire Night periods.
Take fireworks from children who are under age.
Remove bonfires from unauthorised sites.
Promote the Go4it events at Skelmersdale
“We have over the years won various accolades from Best Customer Visitor Experience through Visit Lancashire to being voted as one of top 25 The Must See Haunted Attractions in the World – this was in an American magazine in 2011.”
He urged the public to get behind Farmaggedon, as the spooky spectacular is showing no signs of stopping any time soon.
Mark said: “Without your enthusiasm and support for the scare attraction this type of event would never have happened. Fire Station on Saturday, November 3 and Sunday, November 4.
Carry out joint visits to schools from Lancashire Fire and Rescue and the police to warn children of the dangers of fireworks and the consequences of anti-social behaviour.
Community action and Engagement events in Tanhouse, Birch Green, Digmoor, Little Digmoor, Moorside, and Old Skelmersdale will aim to help reduce crime by removing rubbish and materials that could be used for criminal damage or starting fires.
Skips will be available at the
“The huge and demanding customer support has taken what was once a cottage industry and turned it into a UK-wide national institution during October.
“Let’s keep it going as the industry and Farmaggedon is only limited by our imaginations and we have some great ideas in the pipeline!”
Vote for Farmaggedon by visiting blog.holidaylettings.co.uk/spookiest-halloween-events-uk/ before voting closes on Monday, October 30.
Farmaggedon is open during October. Visit: www.farmaggedon.co.uk following locations from about 9.30am for local people to get rid of rubbish:
Monday, October 22 Tanhouse, Ennerdale, Community Centre Car Park.
Tuesday, October 23 Birch Green, Flordon, near Silver Birch pub.
Wednesday, October 24 Skelmersdale, near high street shops.
Monday, October 29, Little Digmoor, Abbeywood, behind shop.
Tuesday, October 30, Digmoor, Beechtrees, first left car park.
Wednesday, October 31 Moorside, Cherrycroft, on the field.
Lancashire Children and Family Wellbeing Service are also organising a Hallowe’en Spooktacular Neighbourhood Community Day at Eavesdale Neighbourhood Centre between 1pm and 3pm on Friday, October 26.
This will be a fun event for all ages where families can come together, play and have fun but learn about staying safe over the Halloween and Bonfire period.
Little Monsters Youth Group will also host a Halloween party 6pm-8pm on October 31 at the Eavesdale Neighbourhood Centre for children aged eight to 13.