Autumnal things to do

Autumnal

THINGS TO DO

Pumpkin carving and Enchanted Woodland

ENCHANTED WOODLAND AT SYON PARK

Carved pumpkins have become synonymous with Halloween and autumn. Why? The roots (pardon the pun) go way back. As with so many British traditions, carving root vegetables was something the pagan Celtic people of Ancient Britain used to do, cutting shapes out of turnips to make grotesque faces and illuminating them with candles or the embers of a fire from within, to ward off evil spirits. The custom was adopted by the early Christians as part of the All Hallow’s Eve feast and taken to America as Europeans emigrated there. Perhaps finding turnips in short supply, and pumpkins bigger and more plentiful, pumpkin carving became traditional in America, to be reimported back to Britain as part of our adoption of American culture in the 20th century through TV and film. The Irish called them Jack O’ Lanterns, associating the flickering lights with will ‘o the wisps – the superstitious characterisation of the phosphorescence caused by gases from decaying plants in marshy, boggy places. These days carving pumpkins is just a bit of fun, part of the autumn season as surely as falling leaves and the beginnings of a nip in the air. If you’d like to take your kids pumpkin carving and don’t fancy redecorating your own kitchen with pumpkin innards, Gunnersbury Park Museum has organised sessions, advertised as ‘spooktacular’ workshops at 1.30am – 12.00pm and 1.30pm – 3.00pm on Friday 29th October. Price £12 per child (adults free). Book through their website: visitgunnersbury.org/ whats-on.

As the nights draw in, Syon Park once again hosts the Enchanted Woodland, which sees the 600-year-old gardens transformed by a display of lights and music. Now in its 14th year the trail winds through the arboretum, passing the sixteenth century Syon House, and ends at the spectacular Great Conservatory. An array of lighting effects – from high-tech lasers to low tech candles – illuminate the visitor’s way through the trees. The event is put together by a team of lighting designers and Syon staff so you can even ask them about the trees! Enchanted Woodland will take place on Friday 12, Saturday 13, Sunday 14, Friday 19, Saturday 20, Sunday 21, Friday 26, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 November 2021.