All Hallows Eve and I return once more to the fabled realm of Kidderminster. To my surprise, on the drive home I notice several groups of children roaming the streets, all decorated in scary, spooky attire. It was wonderful to see. I don't know about you but in my area of Kidderminster there's been almost no trick or treaters for a good five years.

I remember when I was a tiddly-peep my parents would have to turn the kids away because they would turn up a week early! That is how eager they were. These days we hardly get a single knock. Perhaps there has just been a shortage of kids for a few years in my neighbourhood! After all, babies do cry a lot and need their nappies changing. Sounds like hard work.

Personally though I think rising fear and paranoia over child safety has had a big impact on Halloween. I remember being allowed to go trick or treating, usually without my parents. It was great fun and I have lots of fond memories. I'm sure kids today are no less keen to stuff their faces with sweets and scare old ladies. I don't buy into this argument that they're all just vegetating watching TV and playing on the Play Station.

It's fair enough that parents are worried over the dangers of letting kids run wild. I don't believe though that the world is really such a big bad place. There are dangers of course, but being allowed some freedom at Halloween is part of growing up. It only has to be just down the street... and of course parents can go and keep a watchful eye from a distance.

It was lovely therefore to see so many little monsters out on the street last night, both with parents and without. Perhaps there has been a reaction to the overprotective culture of the past few years. Certainly there's been a lot of debate recently over how much freedom kids should be allowed. Parent's have to do what they think is correct for their child of course – but I believe Halloween will always have a role to play in growing up.

Oh and on a slightly separate point I understand that many people would rather not be disturbed on Halloween; that many old ladies would rather not be scared witless. As such it was welcome to see the 'No Trick or Treaters' poster available on this website last week.

I hope you enjoy your fireworks... Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-BANG!

Tak.