Bernard Barron, a Somerset surveyor from Bath, has expressed his dismay over the evolving traditions of Halloween in a letter to the local newspaper. Barron claims to have encountered “no more than six instances of premises troubled by the supernatural” during his career as a building surveyor. He recounts an eerie tale of encountering mischievous spirits in a warehouse, where rolls of tape were flung about and mysterious small fires occurred.
Barron specifically criticizes the modern practice of children dressing up as “ghoulies and ghosties and other spooky things” for Halloween. He laments the commercialization of the holiday, citing the American import of “trick or treat” and the abundance of shops selling witch-like fancy dress suits. He bemoans the shift from traditional festivities to what he views as a “paganised” celebration, expressing concern over the implied threat and the glorification of death and suffering.
Through his encounters with supernatural phenomena in various premises, including a former nonconformist chapel now used for commercial purposes, Barron questions whether the current form of Halloween is suitable for children and reflects on the profane use of such spaces.