Big apple ‘giveway’ at Notts school markets alternative Halloween celebrations

Some 400 apples will be handed out to children at a Southwell primary school this week, on Thursday 23rd October 2008, aiming to offer an alternative Halloween celebration this year.

The Dean of Southwell, the Very Revd John Guille and Children’s Adviser for the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham and author*, Nick Harding will give each pupil at Lowes Wong Junior School an apple with stickers highlighting the Halloween choice website (www.halloweenchoice.org). Pupils will hear about the positive ways to celebrate Halloween during an assembly led by the Dean and Nick Harding, when they will explain the origins of Halloween or All Hallows Eve – celebrating the eve of All Saints Day in the church.

Nick Harding said: “This is a great way to celebrate our church heroes - we want to let children know Halloween can be about giving and celebrating something good, rather than the negative way the festival is marketed in the supermarkets.”

Photo opportunity:
A group of children, along with the Dean and Nick Harding will be available for a photo opportunity at the end of the assembly on Thursday, 23rd October  at 3.15pm at Lowes Wong Junior School, Queen Street, Southwell  NG25 0AA

 The Southwell event is running in support of a national campaign being run by the Church of England and the Children’s Society, offering an alternative approach to marking the festival of Halloween. A website has been set up in support of the campaign with resources for schools, churches and individuals. And a national poll to find children’s most heroic jobs has also been running, with results due to be announced on October 27th 2008. A recent Orbit survey into opinions on Halloween found 60% of young parents wanted, or would be open to, alternatives to the supermarket ‘dress your kids as a serial killer’ version of Halloween. The findings indicated that if churches and schools were to offer a fun event on the evening of Halloween, then parents would come. 

The 400 apples have been provided free of charge by Starkeys Fruits, Southwell.