A spooky fright night in store for families
A crafty nursery teacher has ensured there will still be at least some village frights this Halloween.
Ashley Thomson was devastated to concede that the children of Patna wouldn’t get to enjoy the usual festive shenanigans this year, thanks to Covid.
But the 28- year- old decided to improvise – and she got the whole village involved.
The Auchinleck early years practitioner knew the usual trick or treating was out the window, so she decided to organise a ‘ pumpkin patch’ for the children to enjoy instead.
Ashley told the Post: “I knew the children wouldn’t have the same opportunity as normal so I thought about something I could do to bring something memorable for the kids to get involved in with their families for free.
“The children and their families can come along the cul- de- sac and place their pumpkin on the grass. I have purchased battery operated tea lights that they can purchased from an honesty box to light up their pumpkins.
“And on Thursday and Friday I will be at the pumpkin patch with bags of sweets and treats that the children can take home to enjoy.”
Big hearted Ashley raffled off two brand new Nintendo Switches to fund the whole project.
Villagers were keen to get involved and the first raffle raised £ 111 towards treats and decorations. Over 80 folk got involved and that raffle was so popular she decided to do another.
The event started at Dalharco Avenue on Tuesday running till Friday and Ashley said: “The feedback I got was amazing and everyone seemed to want it to happen so I decided to go ahead with the idea.
“I thought with it being so close to Christmas one lucky family could win a Nintendo Switch for £ 5. I’ve also had donations of sweets and Julie Steven Smith from Smith Coaches donated a generous amount of money towards decorations and treats for the kids.
“This has also inspired me to get the children who attend the nursery to create a pumpkin patch area for our outdoor garden.
“Before we had some stay and play family sessions where the parents would come into the centre with their children and do some fun activities – but due to Covid these fun events can’t happen.
“We just thought this would be the perfect opportunity for the children and families to carve a pumpkin together and display it.”