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Stratford-upon-Avon leads the way in promoting safe trick or treating
Added: (Wed Oct 21 2009)
The Pumpkin Father will be wandering the streets of Stratford-upon-Avon, leading the way in the promotion of safe trick or treating in the run up to Halloween. Residing at the Creaky Cauldron museum in Henley Street, the Pumpkin Father will be carrying a basket of sweets and asking children to tell him a joke or do a trick in return for a treat. In addition he will be handing out discount vouchers for daily ghost walks around Stratford and entry into the award winning museum.
Pictured alongside PC Rob Davies, the Pumpkin Father is a strong advocate of safe trick or treating. Halloween is traditionally a time of harmless fun, however each year the Police deal with a number of Halloween-related incidents involving criminal damage and anti-social behaviour. Warwickshire Police have produced a flyer that local residents can display in their windows asking trick-or-treaters to stay away. Officers hope that trick or treaters will honour the ‘do not disturb’ notice and move on when they see one displayed.
When venturing out in fancy dress this Halloween the Pumpkin Father asks you to kindly consider the following:
1. Always travel in groups, never travel alone. Stick to reasonable sized groups and stay with the crowd.
2. Take a responsible adult with you but if not, then always tell a parent or guardian where you are and when you will be back.
3. Stick to a familiar route around well-lit areas.
4. Take a mobile phone and change for a pay phone in case of an emergency.
5. Carry a torch with you and stick to busy areas or main roads.
6. Never enter a stranger's house, always stay on the doorstep.
7. Take care when crossing roads. Beware of costumes that are all black and if in doubt wear reflective patches or carry lit pumpkins or torches.
8. Make sure your costumes are not too long and there is nothing you will trip over.
9. Masks may obscure your visibility, be careful when crossing roads
10. Be careful what you get yourself into if 'tricking'. Tricks can go wrong, people can be aggressive and destructive tricks can land you in trouble. Most of all be sensible!
Born with a pumpkin-shaped head, the legend of the Pumpkin Father goes back to 1432. As the personal assistant to Father Christmas, the Pumpkin Father has the responsibility of making sure no child is left off his list. Prior to Christmas he checks to see how children are behaving and takes away toys of naughty children, replacing them with lumps of coal, mouldy cheese and thistles.
The museum is currently hosting their 4th annual Halloween Festival which takes place every day up until Sunday 1 November. The Festival is packed with daily events featuring trick or treating, candlelit ghost stories, ghost walks, Victorian Séances and overnight ghost hunts in the haunted museum. The museum is open every day throughout the Festival from 10:30am – 5:30pm. Candlelit ghost stories take place each day at 6.30pm and 7.30pm and cost £7.50 for adults. The Stratford Ripper Ghost Walk takes place daily at 9pm and costs £7.50 for adults. Victorian Séances take place every Friday night and cost £25 for adults. The Seven Degrees of Evil Ghost Hunt takes place each Saturday from 9:30pm – 4:30am and cost £45 for adults. All events must be pre-booked and are subject to availability.
The museum is also running a magical drawing competition free for children aged 6 -11 to enter. Eight annual family passes for the museum are up for grabs. Each child that enters will receive a letter from the Headmaster at Magic School upon receipt of their picture. Entry forms are available from the museum.
Dave Matthews, CEO of Black Letter Days, organisers of the Festival said “Treat or treating is a time-honoured tradition going back almost 1,200 years. Children all over the world enjoy the excitement of dressing up in fancy dress and knocking on doors asking for a trick or treat. We want children to enjoy one of the most magical nights of the year but at the same time to urge them to act sensibly, be careful and follow our guidelines for a safe and trouble-free night”.
Tickets for the Halloween Festival can be purchased from Black Letter Days by telephoning 01789 290969 or for more information visit www.stratfordhalloweenfestival.com Please visit the Warwickshire Police Halloween Advice website at www.warwickshire.police.uk/crimeprevention/Personalsafety/HallAdvice