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It's normally a quite haven for walkers to rest their weary legs, have a cuppa and a home baked cake but for Halloween, the Bog Centre at Stiperstones was transformed into a venue for a huge children's party.

Making banners at the Halloween party

Over 50 people turned up with their children to make banners with Dr Sunshine and listen to spooky stories with Fran O'Boyle.ÌýThey were also treated to a some traditional halloween apple bobbing.

A few tunes on the melodeon from Dr Sunshine set the scene and there were mugs of home made pumpkin soup... then storyteller Fran arrived with his own two children and suddenly the floodgates opened and the centre was full.

Volunteers from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Shropshire's CSV Media Action Desk and from the Bog Centre moved tables round, made room for the children, grabbed more chairs and then peace reigned as grown ups and children pored over coloured paper, boxes of feathers and bright wax crayons, creating banner after banner...

After a while Dr Sunshine called a halt and children grabbed their chairs and clustered round Fran weaving his story magic.ÌýThen it was time for more soup and apple bobbing with Caroline holding the bowl of water and the selection of towels.

It was fine... a few ruined hairstyles and some water up the nose!

Bobbing for apples

People came and went during the afternoon - grown ups sitting behind the shelter of a large bookcase so they could enjoy a slice of plum tart or Bog Bake - and the fabled Stiperscones - in relative peace.

After a final story at about 5 o'clock the volunteers began to clear away and the families dispersed almost as quickly as they'd come.

Eventually it was just the sound of the gas lights...and the clatter of tea cups as we cleared up...

Loved it! Shall we do another one next year?

Dare to Care

As part of Dare to Care CSV Media is aiming to recruit 35,000 volunteers to give children and families the opportunity to do something fun, creative or inspiring, develop their skills or improve their health and fitness.

If you want to get involved in other Dare to Care events – or run your own.