Nailsea People ulitmate guide to Hallowe'en

Be very, very scared because it is Hallowe’en on Sunday, October 31.

A Nailsea pub has ghoulish gunge on tap, a nearby hotel is hosting a Mocky Horror night and the Christians are throwing a glow in the dark alternative.

So things are sure to go bump (or bang) in the night in Nailsea and its surrounding North Somerset villages.

Hallowe’en is traditionally the time for trick-or-treating, going to costume parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, apple bobbing, committing pranks, telling ghost stories and watching horror films.

All three Nailsea supermarkets and many of the smaller stores and newsagents have stocked a range of Hallowe’en treats.

Waitrose is offering ghostly goodies plus an online step-by-step video on how to carve the perfect pumpkin and make pumpkin soup, click HERE.

The High Street store is selling brilliant bat bunting, cute pumpkin lights and creepy spider tea light holders.

Little monsters can get baking with Waitrose special Hallowe’en cookie cutters and cake cakes.

Tesco has black spider costumes and horror masks along with ghoulish bags of sweets.

Iceland has creepy crafts to pint and colour to make your very own creepy Hallowe’en decorations – just click HERE.

Costumes are traditionally those of monsters such as vampires, ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils, or in more recent years such science fiction-inspired characters as aliens and superheroes.

You can hire costumes from The Playhouse, Backwell, by calling Celia Upwood on 01275 462569 otherwise it is a trip to another town to get dressed up.

Cadbury House down the road at Congresbury is hosting a Rocky Horror Show tribute act for Hallowe’en on Saturday, October 30.

It promises fun, frolics and laughter with The Mocky Horror Tribute features songs from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, performed in full character and costume by the five-piece group Transylvania.

The evening includes a four-course dinner, entertainment and a disco until 1am.

Tickets are £32 per person and can be booked online or by calling 01934 834343.

The organisers said: “Fancy dress is optional. Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to do the Timewarp!”

The Friendship Inn should definitely be on your trick ‘n’ treat route.

The High Street pub has booked the band Angel Upfront to play at its fancy dress Hallowe’en party on Saturday night.

And on Sunday from 5-9pm they are turning the pool room into a Hallowe’en haven for children.

Landlord Russ Wragg said: “We're going to do a kids Hallowe’en room with some gunge, games and ghouls – really good family fun and it is all free.”

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Hallowe’en has its roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints' Day, but is today largely a secular celebration.

While some Christians believe it is a pagan ritual with references to the occult others have chosen to emphasize the Christian traditions of All Saints’ Day or a day to remember the Protestant Reformation.

Many Nailsea churches are providing alternative children’s events at Hallowe’en.

Southfield church, at Southfield Road, is having a ‘Hallelujah’ party from 4-6pm; the Methodist church, at Silver Street, is having a ‘glow in the dark’ party from 5-6.30pm; All Saints church, at Wraxall, is hosting a Hallowe’en party at 4pm and  the Baptist church is holding a party and craft event from 6.15-7.30pm. 

Vicar Steve Tilley of Holy Trinity church, Nailsea, is ambivalent about the good and bad meaning of Hallowe’en but asks ‘pumpkin soup anyone?’.

He said: “So, is Halloween harmless fun? Are Christians killjoys?

“A resounding ‘yes and no’ to both questions.

“Isn’t it hard to stand on a soapbox and yell, ‘I am a moderate’?

“Walk close to the edge and you probably won’t fall. But you might.

“Play in the dark and you won’t forget the light. Will you? Will it be a light party or door-to-door trickery?

“Whatever you choose to do I hope you enjoy it.

“Try to respect those who have different views.

“And if you’ve got a bit wrapped up in the things of the night and you want escape, try your local church.

“We reckon we’ve met someone who was life, and that life was light.

“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

Um, I think he is trying to say to each his own but the police usually have something to say about anyone trashing cars or front doors with bags of flour or frightening those who live alone.

Enjoy.

For details of late additions see below.

North Somerset community play rangers have organised a Scarefest Spectacular from a play pod at Pound Lane playing fields on Friday, October 29, from 1-5pm. There will be lots of fun activities like a fire, treasure hunt, pumpkin carving, touchy feely boxes, mask making, firework collages and much much more. It is free and children aged eight or over can come alone with their parents but u8s must be accompanied.Call 01934 634758 or 0776 602 7170 for more details.

Tyntesfield, at Wraxall

Hallowe'en Sunday, October 31, 11am- 4pm

Join the National Trust people for the last open day of the season and enjoy a day at the Wraxall stately home just down the road from Nailsea unlike any other! Try not to get spooked with the strange goings on, take part in a Hallowe'en fancy dress competition and get creative with festive crafts in the Sawmill. Normal admission charges but no additional event charges. For more information call 0844 800 4966.

Saw some ghoulish things on sale at Wraxall Service Station. Its supermarket has pumpkins at £2.99 and numerous other nasty things!