Halloween Spooktacular

Friends Place Care Home is opening its doors for a Halloween Spooktacular on Wednesday 28 October, from 2pm to 4pm. It's a family-friendly afternoon aimed at children, run by the charity Friends of the Elderly, whose residents love celebrating the 2,000-year-old ancient Celtic festival and have invited the local community to join them.

The afternoon is split into two main acts. From 2pm to 3pm, Cruella Deville comes to visit the residents and guests, and from 3pm to 4pm, Berkshire Reptile Encounters takes over with reptile handling. Running alongside those is a face-painter and arts and crafts, so there's something to keep the smaller ones busy throughout. Every child gets a goodie bag to take home, too.

General Manager Alina Gutu and Activities Coordinator Elisha Hall-Jones describe it as an 'errie-sistable' event full of frights and delights, and they've said they'd be proud to see everyone in spooky fancy dress — witches, Harry Potters, vampires, werewolves, ghosts and goblins. It's a session built for families, with live entertainment, reptile handling, face painting, Halloween activities and goodie bags all in one place.

Entry is free, with a £2.50 suggested donation, and there's free parking on the day. You'll find it at Friends Place Care Home, The Chase, Calcot, Reading RG31 7DW, from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesday 28 October.