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Hexham to stage Halloween fair

Oct 18 2009 by Nigel Green, Sunday Sun

ONE of the region’s market towns is planning to scare away the ghosts of recession by staging a “spooktacular” Hallowe’en fair and laser show.

The show will be the first event of its kind ever held in Hexham, Northumberland, and organisers are hoping it will attract huge crowds.

Like most market towns, Hexham has been hit by the recession and business people are hoping the show will be a big boost for the shops, some of which are opening late.

Lasers costing thousands of pounds will be used to light up the Market Place with images of ghosts and ghouls.

Fairground rides filling the Market Place, witches casting spells and a night of horror films at the Forum Cinema are just some of the other attractions on offer.

Hexham may be one of Northumberland’s most attractive market towns today but it has a bloody history.

After the Battle of Hexham, in 1464, the Duke of Somerset was beheaded in the Market Place.

In 1761, 50 men, women and children were shot dead by soldiers after crowds gathered to protest about men being conscripted into the Army.

Now the Hexham Community Partnership is hoping to pull in the crowds with a more family-friendly event, which takes place on Saturday, October 31.

Partnership Officer Tamsin Beevor said: “A lot of people have put a lot of work into organising this and it should be a really good night.

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