Halloween in England

Halloween is thought to have evolved from Samhain (pronounced "SAH-win" or "SOW-in"), a pagan festival held from 31 October to 2 November. Samhain is an ancient festival in Celtic lands of Ireland, Scotland and Wales which literally means "Summer's End" in Irish Celtic, aka "Nos Galan / Winter's Eve" in Welsh. At the turn of the year, where summer and winter meet, the veil between the living and the dead is believed to thin, allowing for the transition of apparitions and ghosts, particularly those of the recently departed.

Scotland's traditions for Halloween crossed the border in to Northern England, chidren would go from house to house carrying scary carved turnip lanterns, games, tricks and a night of "misrule" were the norm.

The original All Hallow's Eve/All Hallowtide in the Catholic Church in England was a day of joyful bell ringing, (similar to Christmas Eve and Easter Eve), in advance of the sombre tolling of All Saints' Day on 1st November when prayers were made to the Saints, and All Souls' Day, on 2nd November, when prayers were made for the souls in purgatory, the place between death and Heaven/Hell.

The bell ringing was prohibited by Protestant Queen Elizabeth I, and the religious association waned in England with celebrations shifting towards 5th November and Guy Fawkes' / Bonfire Night. Maybe that would have been the end of it, were it not for the Celts who, as migrants, had taken their traditions over to the USA, where they evolved and returned to British shores with a loud "Trick or Treat!", the bright orange pumpkin replaced the humble turnip, and the Americanised Halloween became part of British culture.

Kinross, Scotland 2016