Halloween fun in Royston and South Cambs

There has been lots going on for Halloween in Royston and the surrounding villages this week.

Tesco community champion Mandy Jinkerson joined residents at Richard Cox House for a pumpkin-carving session.

Mandy said: “Everyone joined in and had fun designing their own pumpkins.”

Mandy also went to Maycroft Care Home in Meldreth to help residents decorate Halloween-themed gingerbread biscuits with a range of icing and decorations.

She added: “There were some younger visitors too who joined in and it was so lovely to see the interaction between the ages. Everyone agreed the biscuits tasted delicious!”

In Melbourn, keen gardeners the Clark family have grown their biggest-ever pumpkin.

Toby and Melanie Clark and their three sons, aged five, six and eight, grew the whopper in their garden, where – as well as growing fruit and vegetables – they also keep chickens.

Toby told the Crow: “We like to interest our sons in growing their own plants to understand where food comes from and also like encouraging them to cook. Last year we had a pumpkin growing competition between the boys.

“This year we thought it important to teach them the benefits of co-operating and so we focused on growing one really big pumpkin using compost from the garden and manure from our chickens!

“We had to ask our neighbour for help to lift the pumpkin into and out of the wheelbarrow as we couldnt lift it ourselves.

“We think its probably close to 100kg. We have a few pumpkin recipes out in the kitchen but the main benefit was to allow the boys to carve and show the pumpkin off for Halloween.”

And finally, this evening Royston firefighters are hosting a ‘Halloween Spooktacular’ for youngsters to enjoy from 5pm to 7pm.

Head to the fire station in Baldock Street for the event, where there will be lots of fun and treats for the children – and candle, bonfire and electrical safety advice for the adults.