Fancy a spooky Hallowe’en – while still staying Covid-safe at the same time? JILL STOCKS has produced her popular annual guide of what’s happening across West Leeds…
Armley
Armley Trees have created a bat trail on Armley Park Road. As well as bat facts there are different types of bats to spot – a Harry Potter bat, skeleton bat and an upside down bat as well as others. Armley Trees are a group campaigning for the retention of as many trees as possible in the local area. You can read more about what they do here.
LS12 Armley Pumpkin Walk. As an alternative to the traditional trick or treating door knocking there is a pumpkin walk for families, friends and social groups. The walk will take in homes and venues who don’t mind people walking past who will place a pumpkin outside, between Friday 30th October and Monday November 1st. Anyone wishing to take part will be given a basic map of where the pumpkins will be. 56 Armley streets are currently part of the trail. To find out more, to ask for an up to date map or to let people know you will be hosting a pumpkin as part of the trail check out the Facebook page here.
Bramley
Local resident Martin Lockett and his family have created a very impressive Halloween garden display. Kids of all ages are welcome to have a walk past over the Halloween weekend and admire their handiwork.
Whilst there can’t be the usual Halloween festivities for Halloween at the Abbey Inn this year the pub is still sporting its fabulous spooky decorations. To book a table to enjoy a drink or food this weekend and take in the decorations call 0113 258 1248.
Burley
In Burley Kayleigh Maughan-Boyd and her team of witches are reverse trick or treating. If you live in the LS4 area and can’t get out due to isolating or are simply struggling with covid safe Halloween ideas for the kids send Kayleigh a message and her team of witches will visit and bring treats to the end of your garden. There will also be competitions with prizes for guess the name of the witch, best Hallowe’en costume, best three sentence horror story and best Halloween picture drawn. All of the activities are free and volunteer led. To book a visit from the witches message Kayleigh via the post on Burley Top Community Association.
Calverley
Creative Calverley have been hosting a scarecrow trail since 2012 and this year is no exception. This year the trail has been extended until Wednesday 4 November 4 so some of the children who will be self-isolating until then can still take part. This year’s themes are books, creative, traditional and Halloween. Paper maps are available from Calverley Best One and Post Office and Calverley News, for which donations are invited for Calverley C of E PTA. You can get a virtual map and vote for your favourite scarecrow via the Creative Calverley website.
Residents are also invited to take part in Calverley Pumpkin Trail with residents invited to display a pumpkin in their window or garden “to bring some fun and magic to the village” and create a giant pumpkin trail. There’s a Facebook group for more information here.
Farsley
Residents of Farsley are invited to join in with Farsley Frights which is taking on a different look this year. There are several ways you can take part; Creepiest Costume competition via facebook, decorate your house for passing little ghosts and witches, go for a walk and check out all the spooky decorations, nominate your favourite spooky house, follow one of the three trails and collect all eleven letters to find a word and enter the competition to win a prize from a local business. There’s a lot more information on how to join in on the Farsley Frights Facebook page.
Kirkstall
Fun for the grown ups this weekend at the West End House.
Fancy dress is encouraged for the Rock and Roll Bingo Hallowe’en Quiz this Saturday night from 8pm with free supper. Call 0113 2786332 to book a table and enjoy the spooky decorations.
Pudsey
Pudsey Pumpkin Festival takes place between Friday 30 October and Monday 1 November with more than 200 residents and businesses decorating their houses, shop fronts and gardens and put out pumpkins which will be added to a map for people to follow and see as many as possible. More information is available on the Facebook page here.
Rodley
In Rodley local residents have been busy decorating their homes, businesses, balconies, windows and gardens which have been added to a Halloween trail map for residents to follow. When the spooky festivities are over there’ll be a vote for the best decorated houses and gardens with prizes donated by local business. For more information on how to get hold of a trail map visit the Facebook page.
Wortley
In Wortley residents are invited to take part in a pumpkin trail by displaying a carved pumpkin in your window or in the garden so that kids (and adults!) can have fun finding as many as possible. There is more information about which streets have homes displaying pumpkins on the Facebook page.