Yeovil Country Parks Halloween Trail was a great success this year, with an estimated 2,000 people completing the trail on Friday 28 October.
Over 800 paying children and approximately 300 under 3’s took part in the trail and received a small prize at the end. With parents included, the number of people taking part is estimated at around 2,000.
Children and parents followed the spooky trail around Yeovil Country Park, starting at the Ninesprings Café. Once the hidden missing letters had been found at several marked pumpkin stops, children had the opportunity to tell the Witch in the woods the missing word from her spell to win a small prize.
Comments received from the public via social media about the event included, “Great fun today, thanks so much for organising it for us all Yeovil Country Park”, “We had a great time. Thank you for all the people involved for making it happened. We really appreciated your hard work!” and “It was really good….well done and a massive thank you to everyone involved”.
Councillor Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Culture said, “The Halloween Trail was very successful this year and there are a lot of people to thank who contributed and were all involved in the day with their generosity and support. Events such as the Halloween Trail really draw the crowds to Yeovil Country Park and hopefully visitors got to see how versatile the site is and how wonderful it is to visit during the autumn”.
The Rangers and Friends of Yeovil Country Park would like to thank John Hall Financial Services Yeovil for their continued support. April Wood, the community champion for Tesco Yeovil for donating pumpkins and 250 sweets. Hannah Rogers, Membership Advisor for Goldenstones Leisure Centre & Wincanton Sports Centre for offering the help of Ledley the dragon who was a popular addition to this year’s trail. Ledley is the mascot for LED’s Leisure Centres. Manor Farm, Merriott kindly donated a large pumpkin to sit at the end of the trail with the witch which was very popular with the children who attended.
All proceeds from the event will go back into organising future fun events at Yeovil Country Park.
‘‘We are extremely lucky to have the continuing support from all involved in the Halloween Trail. Without the extra finance and volunteer help we would struggle to successfully run such a large and popular event on our own. Thank you to all involved and long may the Halloween Trail continue’’ said Countryside Ranger Kristy Davies.
Complementing the main trail event over the Halloween weekend on Sunday 30 October, the rangers hosted Little Story Catchers who came along to tell the tale of Spookley the square Pumpkin.
Younger children enjoyed the story and were then able to join in with some Halloween games and activities. Two sessions were held in the morning and afternoon and attended by almost 50 children. These were free sessions funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Becky Russell, Community Ranger, joined in with some of the activities – “Who knew you could have so much fun with the pumpkins, the little children really enjoyed this session and the gentle Halloween story”.