A WOMAN who brings joy to hundreds of children in York each year is appealing for more sweets as the countdown to her annual Halloween event begins.
Lynda Starkey, 76, who lives at Camellia Cottage in Kingsway West, Acomb, is seeking more donations of sweets to help her ensure that The Witches’ Den – which is open from 9am until 9pm on Halloween – is fully stocked for all who want to attend.
The event, which has run annually (with some breaks) since 1986, is entirely free and funded by Lynda herself – something which she does to give back to the community and bring the ‘feeling of Disneyland’ to children who may not get to visit themselves.
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Spread across the front garden of the cottage, the event takes Lynda and her handful of witchy helpers a total of two months to set up and prepare for, and is funded entirely by donations and Lynda's own spending.
Each year has a different theme, with this year being focused on magic and includes a brand-new attraction – Harry Potter’s House of Wands, Witches, and Worms, where children will be able to enter Harry Potter’s lair and return with a special wand prize.
There is also the Wizards and Witches wonderland where chocolate grows on trees and the Marshmallow hedge, which Lynda said is the most popular part of the attraction.
Other highlights include 7 different dens, including the Witches’ Den, the Barbie Bat Cave, the Stinking Spider Shack, the Alien Den, and the Dragon’s Dungeon – plus a special attraction for teens and Trick or Treat drinks.
Lynda said: “I’ve had a few years off, but I always come back to doing this. I just want to create a bit of magic for the children here and give them the feeling of Disneyland.
“There’s also a lot of other houses around this neighbourhood which have started decorating for Halloween too and for Christmas, which is just fantastic. We have to keep doing it now.”
One side of the garden (Image: Alice Kavanagh)
A local parent, who wanted to remain anonymous, added that the annual event brings so much to the community and that she was keen for people to support Lynda.
She added: “It means a lot to those in the community and children that may not have or not get much – she really cares about the people here and she’s so kindhearted.
“It is always busy and brings joy to the kids and adults that take part. She takes a ton of pride in making it fun and different every year, we walk by almost every day to see her garden develop from a plain garden into the Halloween wonder she creates.”
Anyone who can donate sweets should drop them off at Camellia Cottage in Kingsway West, Acomb.