Brentwood Connect is about empowering local communities across Brentwood to support families in their locality who are struggling to function effectively.

Brentwood Connect is working with Inspiration Youth Call and today, Maddy Davies a project assistant with Brentwood Connect told us all about their work .

Maddy Davies from Brentwood Connect

You can hear our chat here – Maddy Davies

If you or a friend or family member are in need of some help, contact Brentwood Connect on 08000 803046 or email PTufnell@inspirationyouthcall.com – Website https://www.essexinfo.net/brentwoodconnect/

My thanks to our helper Rhianna who is this week helping out with the travel bulletins and various bits of news. I asked Rhianna to find out about the history of Halloween and this is what she came up with.

Every October 31, we dig out our old vampire, ghosts and witches costumes and go trick or treating, or we bob for apples at Halloween parties, or we might just stay in and watch a classic horror movie.

There is plenty to do for all ages this Halloween, But how did this tradition of Halloween begin? Halloween – once better known as All Hallow’s Eve – began around 2,000 years ago and was part of the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.

It was believed on this night, the worlds of the living and the dead would overlap and the dead would come back to life to cause mayhem. On Halloween, many wore costumes and masks to either hide their identities from the dead, or in an attempt to appease the evil spirits by mimicking them.

Souling, now better known as trick or treating, also started in the Middle Ages where children would dress up and beg for money or food in exchange for songs and prayers, which they said they did on behalf of the dead.

So before you run off to go trick or treating, just remember that Halloween is more than just an excuse to get sweets!