BHAM_ (Page 03) edsletter:Layout 1
19/9/18
16:57
Page 03
EDITOR’S VIEW
S
ome years ago this month I visited friends in New York and enjoyed a couple of experiences of America in October that I’d never forget. First, the autumn colours. We took a four-hour drive to Vermont to see nature at its most inspiring in the brilliant reds, golds and oranges of the forests. Stunning. Second, Halloween. While it’s popular here in the UK, it’s simply massive over there. Shops, schools, streets, whole neighbourhoods decked out in all things spooky and supernatural – filled with trick and treaters galore. A quick bit of research reveals that ‘trick or treat’ dates back to the ancient Celtic tradition of putting out treats and food for spirits at the end of the Celtic calendar year. While Ireland is believed to the birthplace of Halloween – or Hallows’ Eve – the word ‘witch’ comes from the Old English ‘wicce’, meaning ‘wise woman’. Witches are synonymous with Halloween because they are said to have held their meetings, or sabbats, on the night of 31 October. By the way, if you are scared of witches you have something called amhainophobia – the fear of Halloween. Black and orange – the colours of Halloween – also have their roots in history. Orange is a symbol of strength and endurance and also the harvest and autumn. Black is a symbol of death and darkness. And as you create your Jack O’Lanterns from the biggest orange pumpkins you can find at the farm shop or supermarket, you might be surprised to learn that they were actually originally made from turnips. Anyhow, I’m off now to find my costume to celebrate the Day of the Dead – another ghoulish transatlantic tradition – made famous in the James Bond movie Spectre – but this time from Mexico.
s n h o J d i Dav
visit www.brumliving.co.uk @brum_living Cover image:
/bhamliving
FINALIST
Jamelia
EDITOR: David Johns david@brumliving.co.uk FEATURES EDITOR: Shelley Carter shelley@brumliving.co.uk DESIGNER: Tracy Duffy
CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Price, Sue Cooke, Lisa Melvin, Hywel Davies ACCOUNT MANAGER: Jane Morris jane@brumliving.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY: David Morphew, Andrew Llewellyn PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Jonathan Carter
Rock Hopper Media Limited Burleigh House, 23 Tagwell Road, Droitwich WR9 7BN tel 01905 771110 © Rock Hopper Media Ltd. Birmingham Living is published monthly by Rock Hopper Media Ltd and printed by Buxton Press. Views and opinions expressed by authors and services and products offered by advertisers are not specifically endorsed by Rock Hopper Media Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part of the contents of Birmingham Living without written permission is strictly prohibited.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: The subscription rate (post paid) is £24 for one year (12 issues). Subscriptions 01905 771110 ISSN 2051-8560
october 2018
birmingham living 03