Halloween is coming soon Published Oct. 26, 2007 By the RAF Mildenhall Community Relations Adviser's Office 100th Air Refueling Wing RAF MILDENHALL, England -- The traditions associated with Halloween go back a long way. However, the tradition of young children going out trick-or-treating is something not very common over here, and has largely arisen in this area because of the substantial American presence. You will find a number of tourist information centers offering organized ghost tours of their area. They get booked pretty quickly, but some centers may be able to offer an additional tour if you have a group ready to go - this you will need to negotiate on an individual basis. History Of all the days in the year, our ancestors considered Halloween the night of the supernatural. It was the last fling of those who possessed magical powers before the Nov. 1 Holy or All Hallows Day (now called All Saints Day). It was thought that witches abounded, casting their spells on everyone, but it was also believed that humans could perform magic. Today, fewer people believe in witches and other magical beings, but the tradition of telling ghost stories on this night carries on. Halloween was originally the second of two Celtic festivals. Beltane was held in the spring and celebrated the renewal of growth and continuance of life. Halloween (or Samhuinn to give it its Celtic name, meaning 'summer's end') celebrated the gathering of crops and was an expression of thanks from the people to the pagan gods for a good harvest to see them through the winter. Halloween was the eve of the Celtic New Year, and was celebrated in the same way we celebrate New Year's Eve today (or Hogmanay as it is known in Scotland.) In the 18th century, it was common to see children dressed as "mummers" (people dressed in disguise and wearing masks) who went from house to house giving entertainment on this night. Beliefs In ancient times all over Europe, people believed the souls of the dead revisted their relatives on Halloween. This belief may have originated from the fact that people thought that ghosts, fearful of the rigors of winter, came to see their families to warm themselves by the fire and partake of some refreshment to help them face the cold and loneliness of the next few months. Many people in Britain left the table laid with food and the house door unlocked before going to bed on Oct. 31. When the Romans invaded England, the surviving Celts retired to the hills and swamps where the invaders did not dare to set foot. Hence, the Celts became known as the "little people" - they were certainly small in stature. They also possessed a wide knowledge of herbs and poisons which were unknown to the Romans. When hunting they used poisoned arrows, called fairy arrows. Many examples of these can be seen in museums today. Their use of these arrows and the fact they knew every inch of the hills and woods - and seemed to be able to vanish without trace - led to stories within the more "civilized" communities that the little people possessed magical powers. It is probable that this was the time the image of the goblin, fairy, elf, kelpie and other magical beings began. The Saxons, as well as the Romans, left the little people alone. Not all spirits were thought to be evil by the superstitious communities of long ago, but all were held in dread, and it was unthinkable to venture out after dark alone on Halloween. In Scotland, there was a belief that those who had been snatched to fairyland could be brought back to earth on Halloween by the recitation of a spell in a certain "fairy place." Fascinating Facts about Halloween -- One of the oldest celebrations in the world dating back over 2000 years. -- Halloween in Welsh is 'Nos Calan Gaeaf' -- It is thought that the colors orange and black became Halloween colors because orange is associated with harvests (Halloween marks the end of harvest) and black is associated with death. -- In Mexico, they celebrate El Dia de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead starting the evening of Oct. 31. -- Pumpkin is really squash and comes from the same family as the cumcumber. -- The first jack o' lantern was made out of hollowed out turnips (this is still the custom in Scotland). -- the biggest pumpkin in the world weighed in at 1,446 pounds in 2004 in Ontario, Canada. -- To meet a witch, put your clothes on inside out and walk backwards on Halloween night ... but remember you must wear your reflective belt!! -- And finally ... If your pumpkin lantern shrivels up, you can restore it by soaking it overnight in water to re hydrate it. Local "Haunts" East Anglia is said to be the most haunted area in the country, so it might be considered a ghost hunter's paradise. A few ghosts include: the woman in a green dress and the "Cavalier" who have been seen in two of the bedrooms of the Golden Lion Hotel in St. Ives; a nun and witch called Margaret Read who was burned in the Tuesday Market Place in King's Lynn and is sometimes seen in the nearby Tudor Rose Hotel, the site of a 15th century nunnery; 'Old Hunch' alias Judge Reeve who is sometimes seen driving his coach and four horses through the village streets of Long Stratton in Norfolk; the young sailor from World War II whose presence is felt at the Anchor Hotel in Lowestoft, and the regular sightings of two women in the precincts of the abbey ruins in Bury St. Edmunds. Local events and Contacts: Kentwell Hall Ghost Walks on Oct 29 and 30 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. - You will be taken on a tour in and outside the house where apparently strange things have occurred (the earliest as far back as 16th Century) Walks are not suitable for young children. Must be booked in advance by calling 01787 310 207 or on line at www.kentwell.co.uk Scareville 16th Century Village - now through Oct 31, 6 p.m. to late. In Scaresville village some of the superstition and horrors of the age are re-created. In Tudor and Stuart times, East Anglia was the scene of several alleged bewitchings. Trials of witches was common practice of which many of those convicted were hanged or burnt. It was in East Anglia, particularly Suffolk, where Mathew Hopkins, the dreaded Witchfinder General operated. Indeed part of the film of that name was made at Kentwell. Not for the faint-hearted or young children. Tickets can be bought on the gate but to avoid queing tickets can also be purchased on line at www.kentwell.co.uk Halloween Terror Trail at High Lodge - Oct 26 and 27 - During the walk you will come across a few surprises. You can enjoy either before or after your spooky walk the puppet theatre, conjurer and a storyteller. Food and additional activities are available on a pay-as-you-go basis. For additional information and entrance fees call 0845 3673787 Base Events Operation Pumpkin This year, RAF Mildenhall will celebrate Halloween trick or treating Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. The following rules apply in RAF Mildenhall Housing: -- Officer Housing Area - residents and guests only -- Security Forces will be at the gate with residents treating community visitors -- Enlisted Housing Area - ID holders and their guests -- The passenger terminal will be scanning candy from 6 to 9 p.m. -- Security Forces personnel will be walking patrols to ensure a safe event -- For more information, contact Security Forces at DSN 238-5042 The 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron will be sponsoring a haunted house event in Building 402, from Oct. 27-31 from 6 to 8 p.m. RAF Mildenhall Child Development Center Fall Festival The RAF Mildenhall CDC Parent Advisory Committee will be hosting a fall festival for all center children and their families Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. Barbecue, bouncy castles and face painting will be available. RAFM Services Halloween Activities Halloween Bash Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Youth Center Join us for a night of special spooktacular fun ... come visit the haunted house, venture down trick-or-treat lane, strut your stuff in our costume contest and enjoy a variety of games and special activities. Just in case the candy is not enough, bring a few extra dollars to settle those rumbling monsters in your tummy with hot dogs, burritos, pizza or other treats from our snack bar. Time: 4:30 to 7 p.m. (ages 5-) 8 to 11 p.m. (ages 9-13) Cost: $15.00 (Members) $20.00 (Non-Members) Halloween Bash & Costume Party Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Galaxy Club Party in costume with all your fiends at the Galaxy Club. Prizes for the best outfits. Free for members, non-members $5. Open to enlisted & civilians 18 years and older. Halloween Family Night Monday, Oct. 29 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Galaxy Club Exciting entertainment for all. Includes D.J and Magic Show. Fantastic food for kids and adults. Adults: $7.95, Kids 12 and under: $1. Members First discount: $1. Open to all ranks. Remember to change your clocks Sunday Why do we change our clocks? William Willett house-builder and daylight fanatic, wrote a pamphlet "The Waste of Daylight' in 1907 that was to usher in what we now call Daylight Saving Time or British Summer Time. An idea originally proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784, Willett presented his case of moving the clocks forward an hour in the spring in order to enjoy sunny, summer evenings - and by doing this to improve the population's health - to the British government. He did not live to see daylight savings become law in 1916, as he died of influenza at the age of 58 in 1915. Basically, he reckoned that you could improve the population's health and happiness by putting forward the clocks by one hour in the spring and back an hour in the autumn. It only became law after his death in 1916. Compiled by Vicky Stayton, Team Mildenhall Community Relatiosn Adviser 01638 54 2254 Information source from: www.projectbritain.com, www.forest-heath.gov , www.englandmademe.com www.pettswoodvillage.co.uk Editor's note: No federal endorsement of non-federal activities is intended or implied.