The Forestry Commission is conjuring up a unique Halloween event in Hamsterley Forest on Friday 30 October guaranteed to raise the dead!
Woodland chiefs have linked up with the acclaimed Wear Valley-based Jackass Youth Theatre and Jack Drum theatre company to create a chilling evening of revelry, suspense and magic inspired by the Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ celebrations.
The age-old festival has its roots in ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations, with families donning garish costumes and even holding parties in graveyards to remember their ancestors. Now young performers, many dressed in traditional skeleton costumes, will warm to the theme, creating a spine tingling outing in the 2,000 hectare (5,000 acre) woodland, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, accompanied by the haunting strains of Mexican music! Julie Ward, of Jack Drum, said :
“We have wanted to do this event for years. The Day of the Dead is an incredibly strong tradition in Latin America and it gives us a gold mine of belief, legend and myth to explore. We’ll be inviting folk along a ghostly trail to encounter all manner of characters and mysterious objects, opening a door on other worlds and cultures.”
Budding performers over 14 years old can help create the Halloween spectacular by joining half-term drop-in sessions at Howden le Wear Community Centre from 26 to 29 October. Youngsters aged between 8 and 13 years are also being urged to get creative juices flowing and help shoot a Halloween images and animations to be projected onto screens on the big night in Hamsterley Forest.
Elsewhere in the forest they’ll be fancy dress competitions, apple bobbing, devilish refreshments and a pagan bonfire! Ranger Neil Taylor added:
“It promises to be another bewitching and unforgettable evening.”
Ghost walks set out from 5.30pm and booking is essential on 01388 488312. The cost is £6 per person.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. To raise spirits further in Hamsterley Forest, there’ll be a broomstick making workshop on 24 October, a spooky-themed outing for horse riders on 30 October and a self-led Halloween trail through the forest during half-term week. More information at www.forestry.gov.uk/NorthEastEngland or call 01388 488312.
2. Jackass Youth Theatre has close links to the professional Jack Drum Company.
3.The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. To find out more visit www.forestry.gov.uk
4. Media calls: Richard Darn on 01226 246351. Mobile 0775 367 0038; Neil Taylor on 01388 488312