Halloween at home can still be fun

Halloween isn’t going to be as ‘spooktacular’ as previous years – but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some frightfully good fun.

Due to the coronavirus the council won’t be staging its usual full range of events for all the family to enjoy - but you can still get involved in the spirit.

Instead, this year officials are asking the town's young people to get creative.

The council want you to draw a pumpkin or something similarly spooky and then stick it in your window – just like many of you did to show your support for the NHS and key workers.

Or you could download one of the fun colouring sheets by visiting: http://www.oldham.gov.uk/halloween

Then send in your best photos via Facebook @LoveOldham and Twitter @oldhamCouncil and make sure you use the hashtag #SpookyOldham 

The Libraries service will also be hosting a range of Halloween Half-Term family festivities on its Facebook Page - @OldhamLibraryService

These include seasonal origami craft; witches and monsters quiz; zombie story with local author J C Perry; and the Halloween Histories mini-series, playfully performed fun facts for the whole family to enjoy.

Sadly, this year’s Big Bang Bonfire will also not be taking place due to the restrictions on social gatherings.

The annual event, which has regularly attracted thousands of people to Oldham Edge playing fields, has had to be cancelled this year.

Officials know this will come as a disappointment, but everyone must continue to do their bit to stop the spread of the virus and keep people safe.

Councillor Sean Fielding, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Coronavirus has not gone away and is still circulating in the borough.

“Over the last few months we’ve all had to make sacrifices and we’ll have to continue doing so.

“This means we won’t be able to socialise with people and do a lot of things we normally enjoy.

“However, if we all stick to the rules, we’ll have more things to do and look forward to in the future.”

To ensure residents stay safe during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period, the council will be working alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and the police as part of the annual Treacle campaign to keep people safe from fires, injuries and nuisance.

Cllr Fielding added: “Our emergency services are put under extreme pressure around this time of year – and we don’t want to see that happening especially as the Coronavirus means they are already working in difficult circumstances.

“Act responsibly, stay safe and continue to look out for others.”

If you are going to buy fireworks always look for the CE mark – they must display this as it shows they are manufactured to essential safety standards. 

The instructions and warnings must be in English and must be marked with a F1, F2 or F3 category.

Check for a manufacturer’s name and address on the packaging.

If the manufacturer is not in the EU then there should also be an importer’s name and address too.

If you see fireworks on sale missing any of these requirements or believe that they are being sold to under-18s, then report this to trading standards on 0808 223 1133.

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