The Halloween Home of Sleaford
A 22-year-old student in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, named Tom Simpson is giving Halloween enthusiasts a visual treat to look forward to every October. With nods to horror films like Stephen King's IT and The Night of the Living Dead, his home is transformed into a horrifying spectacle – complete with tombstones, Grim Reapers, creepy spiders, and towering 10-foot tall skeletons.
Creating the Horror Show
Simpson's commitment to creating Halloween spectacle has no match among his neighbours, who get to see the transformation unfold every year. His heap of Halloween décor also includes a pumpkin man with light-up, fiery innards. Simpson, a policing student, stated how he derived immense pleasure from putting up these sets.
"I really enjoy it. It gets bigger every year, but I don't think I'll be able to beat this year. I've used every inch of the garden. I'm quite particular, so no one's allowed to touch it but me,” Simpson said.
A Weeks' Worth of Effort
The elaborate Halloween display began taking shape a week before the holiday. From making tombstones to shipping giant props from North America, Simpson spent Monday, October 30th adding the finishing touches.
Charitable Cause behind the Ghostly Display
Apart from creating scenes of Halloween horrors, Simpson's display for the three past years has also been a means of fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer UK. After the passing of his father, Arthur, Simpson found a way to overlap his penchant for Halloween with a good cause.
"I've always enjoyed Halloween so I thought I might as well give something to charity. It's a bit different - you don't really see it. You see Christmas houses, but you don't see Halloween houses,” Simpson pointed out.
Annual Themes and Halloween Experience
Simpson's Halloween tradition has a different theme each year, followed by meticulous adjustments in the sets. This year's theme was farming, with trick-or-treaters invited to walk through a tent filled with hanging body parts, a tall werewolf, and a coven of witches performing a ceremony.
A lifetime commitment
Despite the considerable financial investment made over the years, Simpson plans to continue this tradition for the rest of his life, even when he moves out.
“When I move out, it's something I'd like to keep doing. I'll just need to find a house with a big enough garden,” he said.