A chance to pick your own pumpkin in time to celebrate Halloween

PLENTY OF FARMS OFFER YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO PICK YOUR OWN

FAMILIES will soon be carving spooky faces into pumpkins to form jack-o’-lanterns as they get ready to mark Halloween.

Originally in Britain, it is believed that the tradition of carving out a jack o’ lantern started with turnips being used as opposed to pumpkins, which are an American import.

It is believed the name comes from the traditional ‘will o’ the wisp’, a ghostly light seen over bogs and marshes which are commonplace in English folklore.

The name can also be attributed to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a man who bargained with Satan and was doomed to roam the Earth for all eternity with only a hollowed turnip to light his way.

In any case, carving a jack-o’lantern is a yearly tradition in time for October 31, with many farms in Staffordshire growing their own pumpkins ready for Halloween.

Here are some of the places in Staffordshire that will be offering a chance for families to pick their own pumpkin.

■ ■National Forest Adventure Farm (Address: Postern Road, Tatenhill, Burton, DE13 9SJ)

As part of their Halloween Spooktacular event during the daytime, the farm in Tatenhill, near Burton, will be offering families a chance to roam around the fields and picking out a pumpkin after taking a tractor ride through the farm.

Tickets need to be booked online with prices costing £14.99.

■ Lower Drayton Farm (Address: Lower Drayton Lane, Penkridge, Stafford, ST19 5RE)

Lower Drayton Farm is one of Midland’s biggest pumpkin patches with more than 80,000 pumpkin seeds of various varieties planted over 12 acres.

Throughout October, guests can walk on down to the pumpkin patch with a wheelbarrow, before choosing one and heading to the carving tent to carve a pumpkin creation.

The patch is open every day from October 18 until October 31. Pre-booking online is essential.

■ Canalside Farm (Address: Mill Lane, Great Haywood, Staffordshire, ST18 0RQ)

The farm near Great Haywood will be opening its gates to its pumpkin patch featuring a wide range of pumpkins for families to pick.

There will be family games alongside the pumpkin patch and plenty of photo opportunities around the farm.

Pre-booking is essential.

■ Pick Your Own Pumpkins Bednall (Address: Moors Covert Farm, Cock Lane, ST17 0SA)

Entry to the park is free with pumpkins of all sizes and colours to choose from. Families are limited to one wheelbarrow per group with the farm also offering hot food and animals to see.

Information about how to book is available on the farm’s Facebook page.

■ Shirley Pumpkins (Address: Shirley, Ashbourne, DE6 3AT)

Returning for its third year,

Shirley Pumpkins features ten different varieties of pumpkins.

No booking required and the farm is free to enter. Pumpkins are available priced according to size and variety, with both cash and card accepted on site.

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