SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Fang-tastic night for Trick or Treat

THE magic of Hallowe’en cast its giant spell over Chard again on Monday (October 31, 2016) as hundreds of people converged on the town centre for a night of Trick or Treat happy haunting.

It was truly spook-tacular as people of all ages dressed up in some amazing costumes to take part in what has become a real community event.

Nearly 40 different shops, offices, pubs and other outlets opened their doors to welcome in Trick or Treaters and staff were on hand to give out a mountain of sweets and other goodies.

The more unusual venues included Chard Methodist Church and Barry Gibbs Funeral Services, both of Fore Street.

The town centre roads were closed off to traffic to create a safer environment for those taking part to wander around freely.

There were ghosts and ghouls, wizards and witches, monsters and other scary creations – plus a couple of Ghostbusters were on hand to keep things in order.

But there was a truly wonderful atmosphere as Chard showed that all-important community spirit.

It was the fifth year the Trick or Treat night had been held with the first back in 2012 the brainchild of Michelle Young, of Razooks hair salon in Holyrood Street, as a way of celebrating the salon’s first birthday.

Michelle and the rest of the Chard Town Team – who organise the event – were delighted at the success of the 2016 event once again and it looked as if there were more people than ever out enjoying the Hallowe’en festivities.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Michelle Young who first held the town centre Trick or Treat night in 2012.

“Thanks to all the shops and traders who stayed open,” said Michelle. “We couldn’t do this without the support of them - community spirit at its very best.”

People converged on the Guildhall to pick up their copy of a leaflet listing all the Trick or Treat outlets for a minimum £1 donation and Michelle was delighted to announce that a whopping £528 had been raised which will be topped up even further by a donation from Barclays Bank.

Funds raised from the Trick or Treat night will be donated to the Hope for Tomorrow charity organisation which runs a mobile chemotherapy unit and brings cancer care closer to patients.

As well as the Trick or Treat fun there was also entertainment with the Kelly Leigh School of Dance and DJ Dan.

Places taking part – as per the list – were as follows: Spice Villa; Barrons; Razooks; Dailys; LP Nails; Sainsburys; Simply Hair and Beauty; Secret Garden; Hair Inspirations; Busy Fingers; Gordon Stoker; Holland & Barrett; Tesco outside the former M Local store; Store 21; Ian’s Barbers; Sweet Shop; Costa; Barry Gibbs; Eleos; Paul Fenton; The Walk In; In the Bag; Methodist Church; Forefront; Wetherspoons; Co-Op; Hays Travel; Springside Dentist; Phoenix Hotel; Lloyds Bank; Savalnas; Co-Op Travel; Ferne Charity Shop; Nature’s Bowl; Sunnymeade Care Home; Choughs.

More photos from the 2016 Hallowe’en event in Chard are available on this link: http://www.chardpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/31/chard-hallowe-en-fright-night-october-31-2016/ .

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