Backlash over day of dead meeting was ‘horrendous’, Teesdale Mercury

PARISH councillors say they are unhappy that a Halloween walk, which upset some Christians, went ahead without their permission.

Several councillors from Evenwood last month objected to the Halloween walk being held in the village’s sports field, which is owned by the parish council.

Some councillors objected on religious grounds, while others said the organisers should have asked for permission before putting up posters advertising the event.

The Halloween event, which was inspired by Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, went ahead on the sports field despite the row.

Evenwood and Barony Parish Council discussed the issue at this month’s meeting. The parish council’s chairwoman, Cllr Barbara Nicholson, said: “There wasn’t an issue with it being pagan – it was the venue, not the nature of the event.

 “I am upset that it went ahead and I was not told about it.”

The Halloween walk was organised by The Jackass Youth Theatre and Jack Drum theatre company, as well as Evenwood and Ramshaw Community Association (ERCA).

At the council’s October meeting, some parish councillors said the walk went against Christian beliefs. 

The Mercury reported the row on the front page on October 21.

Several letters were sent to the Mercury from people criticising the view of some councillors. Cllr Nicholson, who was one of those who did not object on religious grounds, said she was upset that the report was the paper’s main story.

Cllr Nicholson said: “The last month has been horrendous for the parish council. One letter to the Mercury bordered on calling us racist and that’s upsetting, but I’m more angry with the Mercury than anybody else – the whole thing got thrashed through the paper.”

Cllr Nicholson said she had now cancelled her subscription to the Teesdale Mercury.  

She explained to councillors that she met the organisers and both parties agreed that the event could take place on the sports field.

“The last comment was that I would be told about it, but I wasn’t,” Cllr Nicholson said.

The council meeting heard that, in the past, there had been a disagreement about the Bridge Inn’s football team playing at the welfare ground.

Groups who wanted to use the pitch needed permission, the meeting heard.

Cllr Nicholson said she didn’t leave the house for two days after the Mercury reported the issue – and that angry residents have stopped her to protest, including one woman who stormed: “How dare you try to cancel this event.”

Cllr Nicholson warned fellow councillors to be careful about their choice of words at future meetings.

But Cllr Ellen Musgrave said that, at the last meeting, councillors “were just expressing our opinions”.

Cllr Mike English added: “We did not vote on it – we just gave our opinions.”

He again voiced concerns that the organisers put up posters advertising the event before permission was granted.

Cllr Arnold Smith said: “The next time they want to use the welfare ground they need to get permission.”

Parish councillor Mary Prince, who is also member of ERCA, said she gave a letter to parish council asking for permission to use the sports pitch.

She said: “It was a successful event. There was no disturbance, no damage and people thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I can’t see what harm this has done to the village.”