ORGANISERS of a Halloween trail through public parkland have been branded insensitive after effigies of skeletons and witches were displayed hanging from trees.
They formed part of a trail through the woodland in the grounds of The Bowes Museum.
Town resident Frank Harrison said displaying the effigies as if they had been hanged was inappropriate and insensitive to anyone whose loved ones had taken their own lives in that way.
“It’s totally inappropriate. I think they should have given a lot more thought into what they were doing,” he said.
Mr Harrison is a regular visitor to the grounds of The Bowes Museum where he walks his dog Jethro.
He said he was so shocked by the sight that greeted him, he had taken down at least two of the figures.
A spokesperson for the museum Mr Harrison’s comments would be taken into account when planning for similar events in the future.
“The Bowes Museum is extremely sorry if its Halloween lantern parade trail caused upset by bringing up distressing memories for anyone,” she said.
“It was intended to be a fun highlight of the museum’s family October half term events programme and all the feedback the museum has received to date about the activity has been positive.
“We sincerely apologise if anyone feels the content of the trail was inappropriate and will take all feedback into account when planning next year’s Halloween events programme.”
