Things That Go Bump In The Night

A few truwynites delved into their grey matter and recollected a few Halloween memories from days of old. Dookin' fur apples and treacle scones on a string were the most popular memories. Our western colleague nee McGill remembers the queues in the Rectory hall where kids went through their party pieces. No one liners in those days; fine recitals, songs and complex jokes were the order of the day. Kids definitely expect more for less now and on occasions verging on extortion. Hats off to the families that still put something into the costumes and performance. To the others you deserve the egging not my neighbours window. The sconning was a particular favourite of mine and as Messr Scoular recalls it was the large treacle or soda scones dangling on a piece of string and covered in treacle or syrup. Scone had to be a couple of days old to ensure it was robust enough to take the dangling. With hands behind back you had to take a mouthful, but often just had the sensation of the sticky treacle/syrup running down the cheeks. Can remember doing this at the 28th Scouts hall and also in the basement of 107 Templehill, one of my previous residences. Also the dookin' fur apples. There was the posh version of dropping a fork from your mouth from a stool or the big boy version of head in the cold water and trying to bite and retain the apple. Only problem with the latter was the later the night went on the more the cold water was warmed up by prior contestants snotters.