Things are getting very spooky around Halloween on Canal & River Trust’s canals in Yorkshire, with frightening family-fun Halloween events to scare even the most intrepid ghost hunter.
The waterways charity, in association with Huddersfield Canal Society and the North of England Centre for Music & Arts, is inviting brave souls to discover the spookier side of Standedge Tunnel and get involved in a variety of ghost-busting activities on October 30 and 31, 10am-3pm.
As well as being the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel in England, Standedge is possibly also one of the most haunted, too. Visitors and staff have reported seeing strange lights, hearing unexplained sounds and there are rumours of a mysterious robed figure. Groups of enthusiasts have even undertaken a paranormal investigation within the tunnel.
This Halloween, daring visitors can venture on a haunted walk to find the gravestones of 12 lost souls to unlock some magic words. For those who fancy a ghoulish transformation, there’s also free face painting.
Courageous adventurers can take a special Halloween boat trip into the darkness of Standedge Tunnel with ‘Convict Con’ and hear the story of ‘Mad Millie’.
The Friends of Standedge will be serving up a selection of fiendishly good treats at the Creepy Crawly Cafe and Huddersfield Canal Society will transport passengers aboard the scary shuttle, running between Marsden station and Standedge Tunnel, 11am-4pm.
More details of the event can be found at canalrivertrust.org.uk
Meanwhile, The Ghost Ships of Doncaster is sure to entertain visitors who are brave enough to venture to the Stainforth & Keadby Canal on Saturday 25 October.
Last year’s creepy boat regatta saw crowds flock to watch a flotilla of illuminated boats cruise along the canal from Long Sandall to Stainforth, decorated with spooky ghosts, witches, pumpkins, dragons and much more – and this year’s event promises much of the same.
“Our terrifying volunteer lock keepers will guide the flotilla through the locks along their creepy route,” said Canal & River Trust volunteer team leader Paul Tonge.
“Though the event is free, we are raising funds for Canal & River Trust and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, so please come along and enjoy this frightfully good community event – and you never know, you may even encounter a phantom ship!”
For more, visit theghostships.co.uk
