In the past i have not been much of a fan of Halloween. Having marauding hoards of children running around the streets knocking on doors asking for sweets has always, to me in the past, been a nightmare. But last night, it was very different.

When a community comes together and does something as one, the effects are impressive. Last night in Goldsworth Park many of the residents got together and celebrated Halloween but with some ground rules which meant that everyone who wanted to was able to enjoy it whilst others who did not want to participate were left alone.
The rules are that if there is a pumpkin or other halloween decoration outside the house, then you an knock and ‘trick or treat’. If there is nothing then you don’t. The kids all know this and it ads to the fun as groups of kids with their parents go in search of pumpkins that ultimately lead to candy. No pumpkin, no knocking. Everyone is happy.

I spent a fun hour or so walking the streets dressed as the Grim Reaper. A clock bought for a masquerade ball some years ago and a scythe made out of a cardboard box and a broom handle had the desired effect. The adults seemed to be more scared than the kids and I confess I did laugh a lot when the poor grown ups caught sight of me and made various shocked noises.

The moral of the story is that if you want to enjoy Halloween then you can. Get together with your neighbours and do something that all the kids will enjoy. If you dont want to then thats fine too but don’t get all grumpy when others enjoy it and create an event that means people get to talk to their neighbours for one of those rare times.