Spotting pumpkins the trick – for a treat

A MUM has come up with a safe alternative to door-to-door trick or treating.

Anya Pendlebury, from Burbage, pictured, was looking for a way to celebrate Hallowe’en during Covid restrictions and came across the idea of a Spot a Pumpkin event, where people display pumpkins in their windows for youngsters to go round and find.

Parents can give their children sweets for each pumpkin they spot, with no need to knock on any doors or for bags of sweets to be shared.

She pitched the idea on the Burbage Village Community (Leicestershire) Facebook page and had a very positive response, with many parents saying they would like to get involved.

Anya said: “To so many of us this year has been full of the unknown and we all had to adjust and adapt to new ways of doing some of our usual tasks.

“We had to postpone various celebrations, parties and events and understandably so, but here in Burbage we wanted to try something this Hallowe’en.

“We wanted to bring the Burbage community a little joy, adventure and escapism.”

Anya said her nine-year-old daughter will be taking part in the pumpkin search.

“Every year we had crowds of children dressing up and pouring out on to the village streets to trick or treat on Hallowe’en. This year Hallowe’en is a little different,” she said.

“We have come out with an idea to keep us all safe but allows families to have some fun and raise the spirits this half-term.”

Some of the streets taking part include Sketchley Road, Boyslade parade, which may include some of the shops, Sapcote Road, Goosehills Road, Coventry Road and Azalea Drive. The event is running until October 31.