Over this weekend, and especially on this coming Wednesday evening, many children (and adults) will be enjoying partying on what is designated on the calendar as Hallowe'en.

The origins of this ‘festival’ probably came from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear fancy costumes. Why?

The Celts, who lived some 2,000 years ago and occupied the area that today is Ireland, the United Kingdom and Northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1, the day they said ended the summer and harvest time and began the time of the dark, cold winter months, which were said to be associated with death.

The Celts believed that, on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. So on the previous night, October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

As history evolved, it was the 8th century Pope Gregory III who designated November 1st as a time to honour all saints; and soon “All Saints Day” incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known originally as “All Hallows Eve”, and later Halloween.

Over the years, Halloween evolved into a time of activities like carving pumpkins into lanterns, donning costumes, bobbing for apples and eating other sweet treats, with the American influence – and trick-or-treating - coming to the fore in the 20th century.

For me, I have no problem with the ‘light-hearted’ joy and fun that can be had on Halloween (please keep it that way!); but I personally go with what began in the ninth century, with the influence of Christianity that had spread into Celtic lands, where it gradually blended with the older Celtic rites.

So “All Soul’s Day” came into being and was celebrated, similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints and angels, to honour the dead.

If you, too, want to remember and honour someone you have known, loved and died, there will be special church services held in the town and the surrounding area over these next few days, where you will be given space to quietly remember them and honour their lives. You will be made very welcome.

Reverend Ron Wilson, retired United Reformed Church Minister, formerly serving in the South West Cumbria United Area.