Knutsford's Pumpkin Path is hailed a 'massive success'

The town was packed with families and friends of all ages, many in elaborate and amazing costumes, to celebrate Halloween in a fun, safe and friendly way.

Visitors have to hunt out 11 special pumpkins carved with letters spelling ‘Pumpkin Path’ which were dotted along King Street and surrounding roads.

In addition to the 11 ‘hosts’, many shops and businesses stayed open late with truly spook-tacular windows, to join in the fun.

Like last year there was singing from the Knutsford Beats choir and dancing from Fuchsia School of Dancing.

Wallwood was again dressed in spooky Halloween style, with witches and monsters entertaining the crowd supplied by Collective Entertainment Bureau and Demon Events, and Savills held a story-time session and hosted a very popular ‘selfie’ frame.

Julia Chard from Mr Simms receives her certificate

The event was supported by a range of businesses, organisations and voluntary groups including Knutsford and District Lions, Knutsford Hosts, Buddha Group, J&S Kings, Little Waitrose and Savills, Brassiere Blanc, Lockton’s Hairdressers, Fine and Country, Techno Type, Saks Hairdressers and Mr Simms.

The Pumpkin Path winners’ prizes were donated by Hal Whittaker, Hooked on the Heath, Lou Lou Bella Boutique and original organiser and event supporter, Julia Chard of Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe.

Everyone who finished the Path was given a commemorative bookmark declaring ‘I survived the Pumpkin Path’ and a bag of sweets donated by Swizzles Matlow.

Julia Chard said: “Once again our Knutsford Pumpkin Path has been a massive success, with hundreds of little monsters descending on the town.

“There was such a fantastic atmosphere and sense of community, and I would like to thank all the primary schools for their support in putting the postcards in book bags.

“A massive thank you to all the businesses in the town which stayed open to give treats to all the families taking part.”

Visitors were asked to choose their favourite shop window and the winners were presented with their certificates the following Saturday by the Mayor of Knutsford Cllr Andrew Malloy.

Rose and Crown owner Nicola Newton and assistant manager Kev Chapman receive their certificate

The winner was Nicholas Austen, and the runners-up with Highly Commended prizes were Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe and The Rose and Crown.

The competition was stiff, but all three had stunning spooky displays.

Like last year there was a Best Dressed Spook Competition judged by town council staff with the winners in each age category received with certificates on the night.

Rebecca Postles, associate director of Savills, said “The Pumpkin Path really brought our wonderful town centre to life this year.

"Having just reached our one-year anniversary in Knutsford, it was a privilege to be involved and to get another opportunity to thank those in the town for making us feel so welcome.

READ>> Christmas food donations on offer from Aldi

"We were thrilled to see so many people making use of our autumnal- themed photo frame and enjoying the Savills storybook corner where Susie Mathis from our team spent the evening reading to the town’s children.”

Sandra Curties, town centre manager, said “This was the seventh Pumpkin Path and it keeps on growing in popularity.

READ>> Funfair to feature at Knutsford Christmas market weekend

“It is truly overwhelming to see how Knutsford comes together for this event.

“We are extremely thankful and grateful to everyone who volunteered – whether Hosts, Lions, Knutsford Rotary Club, Little Waitrose or Savills, choirs, businesses or dancing troupes. This event would not be able to run without them.”