Have fun in Swindon this Halloween but also think of others (From Swindon Advertiser)

Hats off to Halloween as Swindon gears up for some trick or treating

8:20am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By David Wiles

DISGUSTING diseases and monster masks have featured among children’s activities at Lydiard Park this week.

A host of practical craft activities have taken place at the park with more to continue today. On Monday, children were invited to decorate a witch or wizard hat in time to wear for trick or treating or Halloween parties.

And every day a fun quiz trail is available in Lydiard House that will fascinate children with tales of the strange remedies that were used to treat common ailments and diseases more than 500 years ago.

Families can learn more about Lady Johanna St John’s book of medicines.

Coun Garry Perkins said: “These activities are part of a programme of events at Lydiard Park to entertain and inspire children and the adults accompanying them.

“Half term holidays are an important time for families to do things together and with a fantastic play area, beautiful grounds as well as these crafts and quizzes, Lydiard Park always offers a great day out for the family.”

For information visit www.lydiardpark.org.uk or call Lydiard House on 01793 770401.

 

Be safe and think of others at Halloween

AS HUNDREDS of trick or treaters hit the streets tonight, revellers are being warned to be safe and to respect others to ensure Halloween can be enjoyed by everyone.

Halloween is traditionally a time when young people like to dress up and have fun, but it is also a busier time for Wiltshire Police, who will increase neighbourhood patrols across the county to deal with an expected rise in anti-social behaviour.

Chief inspector Keith Ewart, the chief inspector for neighbourhood police teams and partnerships in North Wiltshire, said incidents were normally trick or treaters ringing doorbells, pelting homes with eggs and flour, and putting fireworks through letterboxes.

He said: “We would encourage everyone to behave correctly, to behave reasonably and to respect the right of people who don’t want to become involved in Halloween.

“They might well be displaying the posters saying ‘No thank you, not here’, ‘Don’t trick or treat here’. I would encourage them to appreciate that some older people or some older members of our community find it upseting.

“So go out and have a good time but behave with some respect and courtesy for everyone else.”

Wiltshire Police have produced a special poster for householders, warning trick or treaters to stay away, but Storehouse Christian Fellowship, a church and charity in Gorse Hill, has also printed their own posters for residents, which can be picked up free-of-charge at the church at 150 Cricklade Road, its shop at 162 Cricklade Road, or its prayer centre at 62 Cricklade Road.

Pastor Dick Denyer said: “We printed about 100 initially and we have actually printed off another 100 now, so over a smallish area there was obviously a need.”

Storehouse is today offering an alternative to Halloween by holding several sessions where people can pray for their friends, family or members of UK armed forces at 150 Cricklade Road and 62 Cricklade Road, from 10.30am to 12.30am, from 2pm 4pm, and from 7pm to 9pm.

Pastor Denyer said: “We don’t believe in Halloween at all because Halloween, in a sense, worships the dead and focuses on that, which is dead spirits, dead people, scary stuff.

“And I think we’ve already got enough in this world today to be worried and scared about. “So we thought it would be a different emphasis to pray for something positive, rather than go around frightening old people.”

You can download the Wiltshire Police poster at www.wiltshire.police.uk/index.php/campaigns and-events/ 3343-halloween.