by John Prince
It is not often you hear it called by its full title, but Halloween takes its name from the eve of All Saints’ Day in western Christianity, and the will-o’-the-wisp could hardly have asked for better conditions on Saturday as thick, ghostly fog descended across Holderness.
In British folklore, the ‘wisp’ was a mysterious, flickering light said to dance above marshes and bogs, luring unsuspecting travellers off their paths and into danger.
Some believed the lights were mischievous spirits, although natural gases from decaying vegetation have also been suggested as an explanation.
Or just fog.
Whatever was lurking out there, it certainly added to the atmosphere as we visited Hornsea, Aldbrough, Withernsea, Preston and Hedon to join in the Halloween fun.
Strange figures emerged from the gloom, although most were probably more interested in hunting Haribo or a Heineken than haunting the living.
Groups of families and friends roamed the streets in wonderfully imaginative costumes, from werewolves, vampires, zombies and film baddies to blood-covered brides. One young man was even walking around with a full-sized cardboard chainsaw on his head.
In Hornsea, Angelina Stevens once again pulled out all the stops at her Trinity Road house, where a giant skeleton appeared to be crawling out of the ground (below).
She transforms her family home every year with dozens of spectacularly spooky decorations, inside and out – an annual labour of love that shows no signs of giving up the ghost.
At Withernsea’s “Frighthouse”, staff, volunteers and Friends of Withernsea Lighthouse had invested many hours of their time to make it “welcoming” to visitors and, judging by the screams coming from within, it worked.
It was difficult for visitors to work out which of the figures were real or just dummies but they soon found out as a ghostly hand reached out for them, accompanied by an evil laugh.
This theme continued all the way through the lighthouse and visitors were glad to reach the base. There was only one snag – they had to go back through the whole house of horrors again. But it was all part of Halloween fun enjoyed by all.
Over at Withernsea fire station, firefighters and cadets had also invested a lot of time and effort in making sure that visitors had the fright of their lives as they slowly navigated the obstacle course of smoke and ghostly apparitions that lay in wait around every corner. But it was worth it, as refreshments were awaiting at the end of their ordeal.
It was certainly worthwhile for the firefighters, who raised £517 for their charity.
Elsewhere in Withernsea and the villages, parties were being held while some trick-or-treaters preferred to wander the streets, calling at permitted houses for their treats.
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Halloween itself – or All Hallows’ Eve – marks the beginning of Allhallowtide, a three-day Christian season remembering saints, martyrs and those who have passed before us.
Its traditions also have links to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the arrival of winter, when bonfires and supernatural beliefs were associated with the changing seasons.
Even trick-or-treating has centuries-old English roots in “souling” and “guising”, when poorer people went from door to door offering prayers for the souls of the dead, or performances while dressed up in exchange for food.
So what might be seen as an American tradition has its origins right here. And back in those days the children had to work for their treats – not just ask or take them!
“Soul cakes”, which were the foodstuff given out in the past, have now given way to mountains of chocolate and sweeties.
With the fog swirling through Holderness, it was a night when the old folklore didn’t seem quite so far away.
