Downham store accused of 'promoting evil'
A CHURCH leader has accused a supermarket of promoting evil and misguiding children by allowing staff to dress up as witches and devils for Hallowe'en.
The Rev Andrew Colthart (64), of Downham Sovereign Centre, complained to Tesco head office after visiting its Downham store and finding staff decked out in festive fancy dress.
Tesco, which declined to comment on Mr Colthart's complaint, raised more than 1,000 for the Red Cross during the event through donations from supportive shoppers.
Mr Colthart said it was a matter for individuals to decide if they wanted to don fancy dress for Hallowe'en but felt it was wrong for a family store to promote it.
The event has its roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain, which believes the ghosts of the dead returned to earth on that date.
"This struck fear into people's hearts as soon as they entered the store," he said. "This is not going to do any good for our children.
"I have no problem with people having a bit of fun but what they are actually promoting through this fundraising event, with ghosts and ghouls, fairies, elves, witches and dracula and all practices of cultism, is that it is all right to dabble in evil.
"I'm all in favour of them raising money but don't think it is good to raise it in this particular way."
West Norfolk police said Hallowe'en had passed relatively quietly, hailing preventative campaigns to reduce anti-social behaviour and encourage retailers not to sell eggs and flour to under 18s a success.
Only one Hallowe'en-related arrest was made in the west on Wednesday, when a man was caught with eggs, flour and a knife in Lynn.
In Dersingham police dispersed a crowd of around 30 youths and in Downham a number of seizures of eggs and flour were made.
In Lynn hundreds of people enjoyed a trouble-free night at a family Hallowe'en festival at Lynn's Vancouver Quarter, where children could trick or treat around the shops and take part in a fancy dress contest.
Centre manager Brad Curcillo said: "We got so many compliments from parents about what a good idea it was and saying they want us to do it again every year.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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