smash↘
Last month, we showed you the best stone-skimming technique. This month, it’s how to win at
conkers. Ashton Conker Club in Northamptonshire hosts the world championships on October 10. Here are club secretary John Hadman’s top tips. Your conker should be 1¼" to 1½" wide (big ones are too easy to hit; small
ones too weak) and round—flat ones may split more easily. The jury’s out on whether baking helps. You should strike your opponent’s conkerfrom above. This will push it down onto the knot holding it in place, hopefully causing it to split or fall off.
COMPOSE↙
If you’re searching for a little creative sustenance, National Poetry Day (October 7) should meet your needs. Events include local poem-writing workshops, National Poetry Day Live at London’s Royal Festival Hall (featuring readings from top-flight wordsmiths such as Simon Armitage) and a national children’s writing competition. For the really committed among you, there’s even the Jazz Poetry Superjam at London’s 100 Club. Visit nationalpoetry
day.co.uk for events in your area.
↙shriek
CONKER RIVALS
HOW TO DEFEAT YOUR
AT THE UK’S BEST HALLOWEEN EVENTS
Jack O’Lantern’s lair, the York, London and Edinburgh Dungeons (23–31). Visit the grisly
home of the evil miser (pictured) condemned to walk the earth for ever. Includes a stroll through the gates of hell! Fright Night, Sheffield (31). The city centre hosts everything from a haunted house to Daleks to street theatre for Britain’s biggest Halloween celebration. The London Ghost Festival (22–31). Walks, talks and performances revealing the capital’s gory history. Halloween Hocus Pocus, Chessington World of Adventures, (23–November 1). Witches will invade the theme park and you can brave the rides in the dark. Nights of Victorian Gothic, Whitby Abbey (28–30). Costumed storytelling and a creepy funeral procession.
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