New pumpkin carving competition launches in Bury St Edmunds

Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, in partnership with Moyse’s Hall Museum and the Salem Witch Museum, is inviting families, schools and budding pumpkin artists to take part in a “spooktacular” pumpkin carving competition this Halloween.

The competition highlights Bury St Edmunds’ fascinating witch trial history and shines a spotlight on the forthcoming new long-term display that will look at the Witch Trials of Bury St Edmunds which will be unveiled on October 31.

Participants are invited to create and carve a pumpkin inspired by the Bury St Edmunds witch trials.

The competition is open to residents of Bury St Edmunds and surrounding villages.

Entries will be open from October 20 to October 30 and will be judged by the Salem Witch Museum in Massachusetts – arguably among the world’s foremost experts in all things witchy and wonderfully spooky.

Sue Warren, the head of marketing at Our Bury St Edmunds BID and tourism brand Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, said: “Halloween and autumn is always a fun time to visit Bury St Edmunds, and this competition is a fantastic way for families and residents to get creative while discovering more about our fascinating local history.

“Combining creativity, community spirit, heritage and a touch of Halloween magic, we’re delighted to be partnering with Moyse’s Hall Museum and the Salem Witch Museum to mark the unique connection between our two towns.

“We can’t wait to see the imaginative pumpkin designs that people come up with and how they bring Bury St Edmunds’ witch trial history and spooky stories to life.”

Age Categories: Age 8 and under; 9 to 12; 13 to 17; and 18+.

The winner of each category will receive a heritage ticket for Moyse’s Hall Museum and a £20 Bury St Edmunds Gift Card.

The judges will be looking for creativity, originality and how well each pumpkin captures the spirit of the theme.

To enter, email competitions@burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk  between October 20 and 30 and include:

• A photograph of your carved pumpkin.
• Full name.
• Age.
• Postcode.
• A short sentence on your pumpkin and what it shows.
• An optional short video clip of your pumpkin (portrait format please), which may be shared across Bury St Edmunds and Beyond and partner social media channels

Full competition terms and conditions can be found on the Bury St Edmunds and Beyond website at https://burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk/blog/bury-st-edmunds-pumpkin-carving-competition

The competition forms part of a unique partnership between Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds and the Salem Witch Museum in Massachusetts.

The connection between the two towns stretches back more than 300 years.

Historians believe the 1662 Bury St Edmunds witch trial of Amy Denny and Rose Cullender helped influence the legal thinking that would later contribute to the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692.

The case was recorded in a publication called “A Tryal of Witches”, which was consulted by Salem magistrates when determining what evidence could be admitted during the trials.

Today, Moyse’s Hall Museum and the Salem Witch Museum are working together to explore this shared history through exhibitions, research and educational exchanges, helping visitors better understand the human stories behind these tragic events.