This Lancashire village's #HalloweenHunt is answer to trick or treat ban

Trick or treating may be off the agenda this Halloween due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Viki Mason promoting the  #ribhauntedhuntViki Mason promoting the  #ribhauntedhunt
Viki Mason promoting the #ribhauntedhunt

But enterprising residents of one Lancashire village are determined that local youngsters will not miss out on some spooky fun.

They have devised a new way for families to get in the spirit of the event by encouraging the creation of a "haunted hunt".

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Householders in the Ribble Valley village of Ribchester are being invited to decorate their windows and doorways in inventive Halloween finery – even if they are not putting out sweets for visitors.

Poster with specially created poem for the Ribchester Haunted HuntPoster with specially created poem for the Ribchester Haunted Hunt
Poster with specially created poem for the Ribchester Haunted Hunt

Spokeswoman Viki Mason, chairman of RATS (Ribcehsetr Amateur Theatrical Society) said: “It's not tricking or treating in the traditional sense. It's a haunted hunt around the village. The places which would normally really go to town round Ribchester are just decorating their windows and doors."

She and Rachel Billington, chair of the Ribchester St Wilfrid CE school's Parent Teacher Association and Lorraine Orr of Ribchester Careline compared ideas after seeing another local village had organised a pumpkin trail.

Viki said: “With the help of Ribchester school and support from the parish council and support through other village groups and organisations we've just been showing you can have a people friendly half term week (event). ”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Children can go round the village with their families spotting decorated homes at any time in the week from October 25 - November 1.

Catch the dates - Ribchester 's haunted hunt has been devised by local residentsCatch the dates - Ribchester 's haunted hunt has been devised by local residents
Catch the dates - Ribchester 's haunted hunt has been devised by local residents

Viki added: “You can go round, find all the houses and give your own children a sweet. They can still dress up, still have a great time, all they are not doing is knocking on doors and exchanging sweets."

Special posters publicising the haunted hunt with a special rhyme have been created by Lorraine's daughter.

Colouring sheets on a Halloween theme which children can decorate and place in their windows are available free of charge from a special box alongside the village recreation ground railings, beneath the Ribchester Careline butterfly display.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It's hoped participants will share photos of their displays via social media using #ribhauntedhunt

* The Lancashire Post is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. For unlimited access to Lancashire news and information online, you can subscribe here: https://www.lep.co.uk/subscriptions