Children make Ilkeston the UK Halloween capital once more

A Halloween-crazy Erewash town will again become the trick-or-treat capital of the UK – as thousands of children are expected to swarm through shopping streets clad as ghosts and witches.

The children of Ilkeston – many of them just toddlers – don scary costumes as parents take them around stores handing out sweets in what has become a spook-tacular family tradition.

The annual costume extravaganza on October 31st is thought to be the biggest in the country – and is all thanks to a big-hearted retired policeman.

Ex-bobby Joe Cahill, 68, came up with the idea of organising a Halloween trail in his hometown after seeing how such events are staged in the pumpkin-mad USA.

Joe said: “I used to visit my brother in Florida at Halloween. Shops and businesses there hand out treats – so I thought, Why not do the same in Ilkeston?”

The Ilkeston Trick or Treat Trail debuted in 2019 after he lobbied town centre businesses to provide sweets. It has exploded in popularity – with more than 70 places where youngsters can now fill their baskets.

Last year saw children visiting everywhere from an opticians to a funeral parlour which had a Ghostbusters hearse on display. Trentbarton put a Halloween-themed bus on the Market Place – and it will be appearing again this year.

Joe paid tribute to all the businesses who buy sweets to dish out. He grinned: “My brother Adrian says Ilkeston has taken the idea and smashed it. It is now a much bigger event here than in Florida!” 

The borough’s museum – which is near the Market Place — will be joining in as an official stop on the trail.

Erewash Borough Council Deputy Leader Becca Everett, who is also the Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “The Halloween trail is a terrific example of local people showing community spirit and kindness. All credit to Joe for turning it into such a huge event. He has become a great champion for shops and businesses in the town.”

The grandad himself remains modest – despite having won an MBE for his youth work in the past. He said ahead of last year’s trail: “I’m just a retired Ilkeston bloke who loves the town of my birth.”

Joe is the driving force behind a Facebook group called Ilkeston’s Independent Shops, which campaigns to keep the town centre thriving. 

It has some 5,000 members. Joe said: “We encourage people to shop locally so Ilkeston does NOT end up being a ghost town!”

The Ilkeston Trick or Treat Trail is on Thursday 31st October and kicks off at 3:30pm, running until around 5:00pm or "…when the sweets run out”.

This year the event faces competition – as nearby Long Eaton launches a rival “find the pumpkin” trail. 

Organisers including digital creator Lucy Saunders say more than 25 High Street shops have signed up.

There will be face-painting plus a Halloween “dance special” which starts at 3:00pm outside a tanning salon.  A Facebook post plugging the trail says: "Fancy dress is welcome for all ages. It is half term so get the kids together and join in the fun"