At Samhain it's believed the veil between the worlds is very thin, it was a time for communication with the ancestors and the spirits of the dead. Spare places were laid at the table during the Samhain feast so that the ancestors could once again join with family and friends. Others could also slip through this gap in space-time - the faerie, hobgoblins, elves and other mischief makers - this is the root of Halloweens mischief night and our trick or treat tradition.
Bonfires known as 'Samhnagan' were lit on hilltops, often the burial grounds of a communities past, with all other fires in the community put out and rekindled from the Samhnagan fire. Although our Samhain festival may now be sold out there is lot's more to do at Butser to connect with this special time of year. This half term we are open from Monday to Friday (22-26th October). Each day we'll have storytelling, a Batty trail following Pippi the Bat around the farm as she learns about ancient beliefs, hands on talks. demonstrations and more. Please see below for a breakdown of what's happening each day;
Monday 22nd October -
Batty trail - follow the adventures of Pippi the Bat
Handling session - Samhain, skeletons and all that spooky stuff! 11am
Ancient storytelling at 11.30am and 2pm
Tuesday 23rd October
Batty trail - follow the adventures of Pippi the Bat
Ancient Storytelling at 11.30am
Make your own pinecone bat to take home at 1pm - 3pm
Flintknapping demonstrations
Wednesday 24th October
Batty trail - follow the adventures of Pippi the Bat
Handling session - Samhain, skeletons and all that spooky stuff! 11am
Spooky storytelling with Fayes Fables - an interactive performance in our roundhouse following the next adventures of Fairy Bigtoe from local theatre company Fayes Fables.
Flintknapping demonstrations
Thursday 25th October
Batty trail - follow the adventures of Pippi the Bat
Handling session - Samhain, skeletons and all that spooky stuff! 11am
Ancient Storytelling at 11.30am and 2pm
Friday 26th October
Batty trail - follow the adventures of Pippi the Bat
Handling session - Samhain, skeletons and all that spooky stuff! 11am
Ancient Storytelling at 11.30am and 2pm
Chalk carving - carve a spooky ghost to take home from 1pm - 3pm
**Evening event** Museums at Night - After-dark Tour 7pm - 9pm (must be prebooked)
There'll also be much more going on each day on the farm, from the build of our new Saxon hall, flintknapping, milking the goats and more! We hope to see you there!