We hope this email finds you well and happy 
Welcome to October! 
As the weather cools down and the leaves change colour, we’re excited to embrace the new month with fun and learning.
The theme for this spooky season at YES is Halloween and festival traditions, and we look forward to teaching and learning more about different cultural traditions and festivals from around the world!
Keep reading to find out what’s happening around town this October!
Halloween: History
What is Halloween? It is believed to have originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. During Samhain, it was believed that the boundary between the living and the dead blurred on this night. Later, 1st November became All Saints’ Day, and the night before—All Hallows’ Eve—eventually became known as Halloween. 
Halloween: Traditions in the UK
Halloween, or “All Hallow’s Eve” has a long history in the UK, and is celebrated on the 31st October every year. Many fun traditions are celebrated on this day:
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Pumpkin Carving : It’s a popular tradition to carve pumpkins into spooky faces and place candles inside. Originally, people in the UK carved turnips before pumpkins became popular.
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Trick-or-Treating: Kids (and sometimes adults!) dress up in costumes and knock on doors asking for sweets by saying “trick or treat.” Be careful if you have no “treats” to give, you might get a “trick” instead!
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Apple Bobbing: A classic Halloween game where participants try to catch floating apples in a bucket of water using only their mouths!
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Costume Parties: Dressing up in scary or funny costumes is a key part of Halloween in the UK. People often have parties or go out to celebrate in their best outfits.
Halloween: Fun Facts
- Witchy History: The UK has a history of belief in witchcraft, especially in places like Pendle Hill in Lancashire, known for the infamous 17th-century witch trials.
- Black Cats: In the UK, black cats are often seen as a symbol of good luck. However, in other countries, they can be seen as a bad omen.
- Origins of Jack-o’-Lanterns: The tradition of carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns comes from an Irish myth about a man named “Stingy Jack.” When Irish immigrants brought this tradition to America, they began using pumpkins, which were more plentiful.
- Orange and Black: These classic Halloween colors have symbolic meanings. Orange represents the autumn harvest and the changing leaves, while black symbolises death and darkness, fitting for the spooky atmosphere of Halloween.
- The Most Popular Halloween Costume: Every year, witches consistently rank among the top Halloween costumes, followed closely by classic characters like vampires and ghosts.
- Halloween Spending: In the UK, Halloween is one of the most popular holidays for consumer spending. In 2023, it was estimated that Brits spent around £687 million on costumes, decorations, and sweets!
Halloween Events
Halloween in the City (Manchester)
Celebrate Halloween in Manchester, with free events across the city for all the family.
Friday 25th – Thursday 31st October: The Manchester Monsters are back. Spot them around the city.
Saturday 26th – Sunday 27th: Halloween in the City Weekender. You can expect games, competitions, costumes, crafts, DJs, live performances and a spectacular Halloween procession.
Join in! Dress up! Party on!
Bonfire Night/ Guy Fawkes’
Halloween is closely followed by Bonfire Night- also known as Guy Fawkes’– on 5th November, when the UK celebrates with fireworks and bonfires to mark Guy Fawkes’ failed attempt to blow up Parliament in 1605 (“the Gunpowder Plot“).
Bonfire Night Traditions:
- Bonfires: Traditionally, bonfires are lit to commemorate the failure of the plot, and sometimes effigies of Guy Fawkes are burned.
- Fireworks: Fireworks are a huge part of the celebration, symbolizing the explosives that were never set off.
- Festivities: Many towns and cities hold firework displays and bonfire parties. It’s a fun and festive night for people of all ages.
Bonfire Night: Events
Bonfire Night Events around Yorkshire:
- 1st November: Birchencliffe Sports and Social Club. Club house open from 6pm, bonfire at 7pm, fireworks at 8pm. There will be bars and stalls selling a range of food and drink. Ticket prices here.
- 1st November: Alwoodley Cricket Club Family Friendly Bonfire Night and Diwali Celebration. Starts 7pm. No tickets but donations welcome. Food and drink available. Location: Crag Lane, LS17 5PR.
- 1st November: Bowdon Bonfire Night. Fireworks at 7 & 8 pm. Bonfire lit at 7.20 pm. See details here.
- 1st & 2nd November: Thornton Hall Farm. Huge Bonfire lit at 7.00pm, Fireworks at 7.30pm, Fire-Breathers and music throughout the evening. See details here.
- 3rd November: Cannon Hall. Bonfire at 5pm, fireworks at 6pm. Tickets are £17.95 each. Booking information here.
- 5th November: Ashton on Mersey Sports Club. Bonfire Lighting at 6:15 PM. Fireworks Display at 7:30 PM. Food and Drinks. See details here.
If you haven’t experienced Bonfire Night before, it’s a great way to enjoy a bit of UK culture while watching some spectacular fireworks!
Staff Film/ Movie Suggestion of the Month: Corpse Bride (2005)
This animated film tells the story of Victor, a young man who makes an accidental proposal to Emily- a corpse bride in a mysterious underworld. As he navigates this strange world, he must find a way to return to the living and reunite with his intended bride- Victoria. So two brides, one groom, who will Victor pick?
Language Learning TipsFor Lower Levels: Watch with English audio and subtitles in your 1st language.For Higher Levels: Watch in English with English subtitles.
More Staff Favourites- Halloween Film recommendations:Coraline (2009)Edward Scissorhands (1990)The Addams Family (1991)Harry Potter (2001- 2011)
Update: Student Graduation!
The YES team would like to congratulate Ahmad on his graduation from his Elementary course at Yorkshire English School! 
It has been a pleasure to have you as part of the YES family and help you progress on your English language journey, with a special thanks to his teacher, Mary!
We are sorry to see you go and we wish you all the best for the future!
