Ghoulies, ghosties, guising & souling
Hallowe’en (All Hallows Eve) is a well celebrated tradition across the UK. Trick or treating, parties, apple bobbing & veritable home grown drinking games. Where does the term ‘Hallowmas’ come from?
The tradition of going from door to door receiving food already existed in Great Britain and Ireland in the form of “souling” before ‘trick or treating’, where children and poor people would go door to door on Hallowmas (1st November) sing and say prayers for the dead on All Souls Day in return for cakes. Also there’s guising where children disguised in costumes going from door to door for food and coins also predates trick or treat where masqueraders in disguise carrying lanterns made out of scooped out turnips, visit homes to be rewarded with cakes, fruit and money.
Not only does Shakespeare mention the practice in his comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1593), it has been known that a few recent writers have applied this term to the three days from 31 October to 2 November inclusive as a synonym of Hallowtide
All children love to go ‘trick or treating’ but it is becoming more and more difficult for parents to do this with their children. Not everyone likes people knocking on their doors and for some where they live it’s nigh on impossible. Let’s make it fun for EVERYONE.
Introducing #PillagetheVillage, on Saturday 1st November 11.00am-4.00pm. Shops & businesses in the town centre will open their doors to little pillagers of Reigate. Participating shops will have black & orange balloons outside and treats inside for the pillagers. Grown ups can collect a trick or treat bag from either Cullenders in Bell St or Cook in the High St and can also leave a donation of a non-perishable food item for local food bank Loveworks.
On the same day it’s Reigate Street Eats in Tunnel Road, with fantastic street food from Flippin Cow, The Tinderbox, Dog Town, Abycina, Crocus Paella and more, with music, mulled cider & few other naughty treats. Plus you or the kiddies can ‘bob’ for apples and even get your face painted.
And for grown up stuff Market Stores have joined in the #ReigateHallowmas fun. They have live music by The Gremlins on All Hallows Eve (Friday) and a Ghostbusters Night, “I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghost”, upstairs on Saturday. Showing the films plus hot dogs, popcorn & nachos. What’s not to like?
Let’s make #ReigateHallowmas the place to be each year. Next year pumpkin carving competitions, best dressed ghouls, more parties and general good fun for everyone of all ages.
Enjoy #ReigateHallowmas #pillagethevillage #reigatestreeteats – post pictures and share the fun.
