Halloween is about staring down that which scares us, by facing it head on and making light of it. At least in part. There are common fears of things like the dark, spiders, ghosts or the unknown. But there are some fears that are less common, less rational. Amaxophobia – Fear of riding in a…
Brompton Cemetery
Brompton is more symmetrical and manicured than other cemeteries, in the area, like Highgate. Opened in 1840, Brompton is one of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ cemeteries established in the 19th century. At nearly 40 acres, it is also a wonderful haven for flora and fauna.
31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN – Day 28
Ghost stories have been popular for centuries. In a literary sense, these tales often have a moral component. A warning from past offenses to future generations. One of the most ancient references to a haunted house comes from the Arabian Nights. ‘To whom doth the big house belong?’ ‘To us!’ ‘Open it, that I may view…
31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN – Day 26
Many people enjoy watching scary movies to celebrate Halloween. Some like gory slasher flicks, but I prefer creepy, moody, psychological films. Some of the best are by RKO producer and writer Val Lewton (many of them directed by Jacques Tourneur). They usually run them on TCM this time of year, so keep an eye out…
31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN – Day 25
From Ruth Edna Kelley’s The Book of Halloween, a description of a Victorian Halloween: In 1874, at Balmoral, a royal celebration of Hallowe’en was recorded. Royalty, tenants, and servants bore torches through the grounds and round the estates. In front of the castle was a heap of stuff saved for the occasion. The torches were…