[rockman]

Cheers for that. Seems strange that it was an old english festival but it is not celebrated in England (or in Nw Zealand which follows most English festivals). Feel a bit ripped off - I nevergot a chance to go trick-or treating when I was a kid! Of course I have seen it in movies and TV about how popular it is in the US.
We have a more obscure celebration in New Zealand this time of year. On november 5th is Guy Fawkes night when we celebrate the attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the English parliament, his subsequent arrest, torture and execution, by letting off fire crackers and drinking lots of beer. We even make a effigy of "Guy" and burn him on the fire - pretty subversive stuff especially in the current climate of terrorism. It used to be the highlight of the year until the authorities Banned all the dangerous fire crackers for being too dangerous!