On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:24:19 +0000, Gary Jackson wrote:

Ah now, this is the nanny state in action. Too many liddle kidses get
burned and maimed on bonfire night and the fire and ambulance services
got over stretched, so New labour in its infinite wisdom decided that we
should adopt Halloween from the USA.

If any liddle kidses get eaten, beaten or taken hostage by the local Lib
Dems, it'll be a matter for the rozzers and will not strain the fire and
bulance boys.

Historically, Halloween is the Celt New years eve and was celebrated with
the burning of bonfires to frighten away evil spirits. The English adopted
the tradition but moved the date to Nov 5 to 'celebrate' the execution of
Guy Fawkes.

Even the Trick or Treat thing seems to have roots on this side of the
pond. Nov 4 used to be known as Mischief Night where boys played practical
jokes on their neighbours. Judging by what Seth wrote, when he was a kid
they made 'Mischief Night' an art form.

So Halloween and Bonfire night are pretty much part and parcel. Of course
we older Brits (anyone over twenty five) don't like Halloween because we
can't be doing with all that getting up from the telly and opening the
door to be confronted with a group a large louts dressed as large louts
demanding money with menaces.

In our day, approaching Bonfire Night, there was 'penny for the guy' which
got you roundly abused if you didn't cough up. And then someone would lob
a banger through your letterbox 'for a giggle'.

Much better don't you think.