Another story for the grandchildren .
All day long we spoke about what we were going to dress up as, and which houses we would visit. We had planned to meet our friends as soon as we’d had our tea. Tea would be a quick one that night. Likely soup followed by something cold, fried tatties, and a pudding.
Before we’d finished eating there would be a knock at the door and there, all dressed up, would be a friend or two, willing to recite a poem or sing, for a few pennies and some sweeties.
How exciting it all was. This was Hallowe’en.
‘Hurry up and finish your tea’ said mum, as we gulped the last bit and drank our milk.
The outfit would have been all prepared and set out the night before, so now it was time to change. ‘ Remember to put something warm underneath’ said mum ‘Or you’ll freeze ‘
I pulled on my aunt’s old dress and felt the soft velvet warm against my cheek. It was far too long, so we hunted around for a narrow scarf which was tied around my waist and with the dress pulled up and over I was able to walk. I was beginning to feel good in my outfit. Next came the hat, it was now a paler shade of royal blue because it had faded over several summers, but I loved it and with a bright pink ribbon and feather it was just right with the dress. On top of this went the shawl, real Shetland wool with stripes and a lacey stitch which made the stripes go wavey, I think this stitch was called ‘Feather and Shell’ grannie was trying to teach me how to knit this popular pattern, but I was struggling with it .
Next was the crowning glory, several strings of beads in all shades and colours. The red Poppets had been given to me the Christmas before and the blue ones I bought with my birthday money from Woolworths for six pence . Mum gave me some of hers too, so I had lots of beads dangling round my neck. Mum then put some lipstick on me and let me borrow her high-heeled shoes, and I wobbled around the room, gazing at my image in the mirror and felt I was ready to go round the doors.
My friend was already waiting at the door for me, she too was all dressed up and looking good. Off we set down the road each of us carrying a handbag big enough to carry all our goodies home in.
First stop was grannie’s where we knocked on the door and waited. ‘I wonder who this is?’ said grannie looking puzzled. ‘What are ye going to do for me then?’ We didn’t need to be asked a second time, and burst forth into song. One after the other till grannie took out her purse and gave us each threepence, some fudge and an apple ! She said she was delighted with our singing and urged us to go on to the house next door. This was auntie’s house, so we knocked, and out she came and asked what we were going to do ? We sang some more, and were delighted to be given another threepence and more sweeties.
Further along the street we went, knocking on the doors, singing and accepting more pennies and sweeties. This was great fun, but soon it was time to go back home again.
Once inside we had a hot drink, counted our pennies, and then we all gathered round the big bath in the kitchen and began dooking for apples. How we laughed and giggled, water dripping from our noses as we came up with another apple. Once dried off again it was time for the Treacle scones, which were hanging from a line across the kitchen. Up and down we jumped trying to bite the scones, treacle dripping from our chins but after a quick wipe with the towel we would set off again after another bite !
Soon we were dried off and cleaned up and we sat around listening to the stories and the singing.
An uncle always recited ‘MacAllister’… The peats are burning bright, gather round them in a ring and I will tell you of the night I…….that was followed by ‘The Ghost of the Hill of Forss’ and ‘Broth on e Sunday’ How we loved it all.
All too soon it was time for bed, taking off the beautiful clothes and washing our faces. But we had plenty pennies jingling in our bags and a pile of sweeties to keep us going for days ! We slept well on Hallowe’en night with memories to last for many long years.
