Things will be going bump in the night at the new Forestry Commission Wales visitor centre at Garwnant, near Merthyr Tydfil, later this month - but there won't be a workman in sight.
The centre, which is currently undergoing a £1.7m redevelopment, will be celebrating Hallowe'en on Friday, October 30, after an absence of three years.
It's the first event to be hosted at the visitor centre, located off the A470 just six miles north of Merthyr Tydfil, since it closed to enable the facilities to be brought into the 21st century.
The centre will not be fully up and running until April 2010, but staff at the centre have been inundated with requests to resurrect the popular Hallowe'en event as the venue gradually gears up for the grand opening.
As part of the ghostly goings on, Hallowe'en revellers will be able to tackle a themed scare trail in the woodlands. For those of a more sensitive nature, there will be courtyard entertainment along with a hog roast and soup and hot drinks will be available.
Sam Detheridge, the recently-appointed Garwnant Visitor Centre Manager, said, “As we move towards completion of this exciting project, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to bring the Hallowe'en night back.
“All of the team here at the new-look visitor centre are looking forward to meeting friends old and new on what has always been an exciting evening of entertainment and fun for all the family.”
The scare trail walks will be leaving from the centre every 10 minutes between 6pm and 8pm and would be ideal for primary school children aged between five and 11, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please wear appropriate footwear, warm clothes and bring a torch.
Pre-booking a time slot is essential and walkers should arrive half an hour before their trail time. Places are strictly limited to 400 and tickets, which must be bought in advance and cost £3 per person, can be obtained from Ann Moses on 0845 604 0845. Cheques should be sent to Ann c/o FC Wales, Llanfair Road, Llandovery SA20 0AL and made payable to Forestry Commission Wales.
The site will be open from 5.30pm to 9pm to ticket holders only and there will be free parking.
The event is a clear sign of the progress that has been made towards the full re-opening of the state-of-the-art visitor centre since it closed two and a half years ago. The restaurant is due to re-open in December 2009.
Chris Botting, Deputy Forest District Manager, said, “The evening marks the start of a varied programme of events and activities at Garwnant under Sam's leadership.
“Sam brings with her a wealth of woodland and events management experience, having recently worked for the Forestry Commission at its National Arboretum visitor attraction in Westonbirt.”
For more information on Garwnant, contact Sam Detheridge on 0845 604 0845.