Hexham’s Spook Night made a lively return on October 31, drawing families and visitors into Beaumont Street, the marketplace and the Abbey grounds for an afternoon and evening of Halloween entertainment.
The event was organised by Hexham Town Council after the closure of Hexham Community Partnership earlier this year. Crowds filled the town centre for a programme that ran from 2pm to 9pm, with businesses, volunteers and community organisations helping to stage the day.
Costumes, competitions and family entertainment
A funfair, dance performances, pumpkin carving, storytelling and spooky films at The Forum Cinema were among the activities on offer. Family competitions also formed part of the programme.
The costume parade was one of the main attractions, with dozens of children and adults taking part dressed as witches, ghosts, superheroes and other characters. Several competitions took place during the event.
Artist Johnny Hanna contributed a collection of spooky coffins, while Grow Hexham helped organise eco-friendly pumpkin carving sessions. Grow Hexham also worked with the Community Centre on pumpkin carving and environmentally friendly Halloween decorations.
Town council takes over organisation
The return followed a change in who organised Spook Night. Suzanne Fairless-Aitken, a town and county councillor representing Hexham East, had described taking over the event as a daunting task. The turnout indicated that the annual celebration remains popular despite the recent organisational changes.
She said: Taking over the mantle, or rather cloak of darkness, for Hexham’s beloved Spook Night from the Community Partnership was a daunting task, but our Community Engagement team at Hexham Town Council has successfully wrestled with its demons and ghouls to ensure this annual Hexham tradition stays alive, or maybe that should be undead.
Town councillor Fay Hartland, who represents the Leazes ward, said a wide range of activities had again been offered at venues around Hexham, with businesses and community spaces taking part.
Councillors praised the volunteers and participants who helped make the event possible. Organisers said support from local businesses, volunteers and community organisations helped create a family-friendly day and a lively atmosphere in the town centre.
The successful return means Hexham Spook Night’s tradition will continue. The event remains one of the town’s most popular annual celebrations and a key date on its calendar.
