The Witches Are Brewing

There was a time when Hallowe’en was a black sheep in the festival stakes, crammed between the heady summer break and the razzle dazzle of Guy Fawkes night and Christmas . . . the fun used to be confined to the odd trick-or-treater.

Now Hallowe’en is bigger than ever and with its surge in popularity have come warnings from the Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Rev David Gillett, that among the vast array of products on offer, are goods which could trivialise occult practices and encourage anti-social behaviour.

Chris Thomas, manager of Enchanted, in Manchester Chambers, said: “I am interested in paganism and my sister is a witch. To us there’s nothing at all negative about Hallowe’en — it’s the pagan new year. Full Story

Related: religion, wicca, pagan, spells