Ghastly Ghouls and Monstrous Monsters

Halloween has come and gone, bringing out an array of terrifyingly brilliant, often gory and sinister costumes. This allegedly haunted day has manifested itself dramatically in recent years and despite many children and adults alike celebrating this annual tradition; they are ignorant of the true origins of All Hallows’ Eve.

Halloween derived from the ancient Celtic festival, Samhain, the Celtic celebration of the new year (November 1^st), the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of winter, a time often allied with death. Celts were of the belief that the night before the New Year (31^st October), the worlds of life and death were merged and spirits and ghosts would return to earth. Those spirits who were content on causing trouble and damaging crops were warded off by bonfires and costumes. This festival also allowed people to feel close to deceased relatives and friend, a feeling that for people dependent on the capricious natural world was of great comfort, especially in the imminent winter. For these spirits, places at the dinner table were left, treats were left at doorsteps and candles were lit along the road to aid loved ones travelling back to the spirit world. As this tradition has been established, it has developed into a secular event characterised by trick of treating, apple bobbing and pumpkins.

Speaking of pumpkins, what are the origins of these infamous carvings?

The practice of carving out pumpkins for Halloween was instigated from an Irish myth about a man dubbed ‘Stringy Jack’. As the story goes, Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him and true to his name, did not want to pay for his drink. Jack convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin in order to pay, but when he did so, Jack kept the money next to silver cross, preventing the Devil from morphing back to his original form. Eventually, the Devil was freed but under the condition that he would not bother Jack for another year and should Jack die, the Devil would not claim his soul. A year passed, and Jack once again tricked the Devil by getting him to climb up a tree to pick a piece of fruit. Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree’s bark so the Devil could not come down until the Devil vowed not to bother Jack for ten more years.

Jack died - and as the legend goes, God would not permit such a malevolent person into heaven and keeping true to his word, the Devil did not claim his soul nor did he allow Jack into hell. The Devil sent Jack off into the night merely with a burning piece  of coal , which Jack put into a carved – out turnip and has been rumoured to be roaming the Earth ever since. Thus, the Irish began to refer to him as ‘Jack of the Lantern’, which later developed to ‘Jack O’ Lantern’.

So, next Halloween, while you’re getting into costumes, covering yourself in fake blood or turning the house into a haunted graveyard, just remember the origins of Halloween. Perhaps you could incorporate these origins to create a unique and authentic All Hallows Eve.

Jenny Brown, year 12

Football Club goes Broccoli

The Spanish team La Hoya has a new football kit that is inspired by Broccoli; it has been given the name of ‘ugliest football kit ever’ by some people.

The team that play in Division B, the 3rd division in Spanish football, have a kit that is covered with broccoli on the back and front and the kit also has matching shorts. However, the shirt seems to be selling very well and drawing a lot of attention to the football team.

The coach of the football club, Jose Manuel Campos, told BBC News Round that the shirt is ugly, but argues that the club felt “familiar” with it and that it has drawn attention to them.

The team is based in an area of Murcia, Spain which famous for growing and selling the broccoli and is apparently the area’s most successful export in the last few years. Due to this, the team has the football shirt that it currently has. One player, Alfredo Ortuno, seems determined to see the positives. He chooses to see the shirt as ‘original’, rather than ugly.

What do you think about this rather unique kit?

Nesta Baxter, year 9

Question Time at School

Today is probably our biggest scoop since starting YJA this year!

The BBC One show Question Time has descended on our school, Boston High, to record the popular current affairs show with legendary broadcaster David Dimbleby.

The crew and their trucks full of cameras, mics, and set pieces arrived here on Wednesday to begin preparation for the show's broadcast this evening. 

Some of the Young Journalist Academy team were lucky enough to have an experience of a lifetime by going to see the set. Not only this, but we were also given the privilege to sit in Dimbleby’s seat. Dave, one of the shows camera men, let us have a go at using the huge broadcast cameras and talked about how every broadcast is different due to filming and recording sound in such a variety of locations.

Question Time is a debate programme and it is based on politics. The show features politicians from at least three major political parties as well as other public figures who answer pre-selected questions chosen by the audience. David Dimbleby presents the show and has presented it since 1994.

Word has it that we might even get to interview Dimbleby himself so check back here tomorrow to see how we got on.

Anya Stacey and Shannan Smith,

Year 9