Shropshire Star

Ghoulishly good fun at popular Shropshire fright night

Ghosts and ghouls prowled the dark, cobbled streets of one of Shropshire's most popular tourist attractions - to the delight of thousands of visitors.

Published

Blists Hill Victorian Town's Ghostly Gaslight event on Saturday night saw willing visitors nailed into coffins, while families looking around the shops found themselves bumping into a host of weird and wonderful characters.

Visitors were also encouraged to dress up as witches, warlocks, monsters and all kinds of spooky characters.

Chris White, exhibit officer at Blists Hill, said: "The event went really well. I was talking to a London family who had come up and just happened to buy tickets on the day. They had a tremendous time and were just some of the visitors who were full of praise for the event.

"All the exhibits were really well done and a lot of work went into to transform everything for the evening.

"We're hoping for some really good figures and we know already more than 2,000 people came for the night. The car parks were also full, which is always a good sign."

The event included sound and lighting effects, a fireworks and pyrotechnic show, and an enormous Fire Goddess sculpture with flames coming out of its crown and hand.

Ms White said the annual event continued to grow, with new exhibits and ideas added to keep families entertained.

"The town has never looked as good as it did on Saturday for the gaslight event and all the characters and shops were dressed up," she said.

"We do try and add things each year and it has become a very established event.

Weather

"The only thing that sometimes plays against us the weather but this year it was perfect, which always helps.

"We always encouraged adults and children to come dressed up, which helps make it an event for the whole family.

"We like adding to the scare-factor rather than full-on horror."

And there will bew another big event taking place at Blists Hill this weekend.

Townsfolk will be celebrating Guy Fawkes' foiled gunpowder plot with a family fireworks display on Saturday evening (NOV 1).

Gates open at 6pm, and admission will be £9.50 for adults, £6.25 for children aged three to 15, and £29 for a family of two adults and two children.

Tickets must be bought in advance from any of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums or the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre. They can also be bought over the telephone on (01952) 433424 and posted at an additional charge of £2 per order.

See www.ironbridge.org.uk

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