We have now entered the dark months of the year here in the northern hemisphere and after hundreds of years we still mark the festival associated with this shift into winter. Halloween apparently takes it's name from the day set aside for remembering the dead, which also included saints (hallows). It's Christian and Celtic origins may have got a little muddled over the years but some elements have persisted like carving a pumpkin and apple bobbing because of the autumn harvest. It is more likely these days that most people get their plastic pumpkins from Quality Save or Tesco, but I'm proud to boast that I've grown these crops this year for the first time, so will be partaking in both carving and bobbing.