Scary Thoughts

Photo © Rob Jones

So, as I wandered along the pier in Bangor … I was thinking.

According to people who gather statistics on these matters, and they do, approximately 25% of us Brits buy pumpkins each year, not to eat, but to hollow out, make a scary face and then stick a candle in it.

Then they are left to rot.

Now, as traditions go, I am not that keen on Hallowe’en. It’s not something we ever took much notice of when I was little. In fact, apart from ‘being aware’ of it, I don’t recall dressing up, trick or treating or buying pumpkins for the sole use of making creepy lanterns.

So … it seems that …

17 million pumpkins are bought in the UK, however only 15 million are grown which means we must be importing pumpkins from overseas in so doing damaging the environment.

The average price of a pumpkin is £1.69.

Total spending on Hallowe’en is estimated to be £687 million this year, £27 million on pumpkins alone.

One pumpkin would make a soup for 6 people (Pumpkins, Onions, Stock, Cream).

A well known supermarket sells a tin of it for £1.20

I can’t help thinking something’s not quite right here.

Especially as we’re hurtling into a cold winter of shortages for many.

R