Maryland Community Group organised their first Scaryland Pumpkin Trail this Halloween.

There were category prizes for best carvings, including best animal, insta-famous and uniqueness, nerve and talent. The prizes were donated from local businesses Maryland Barber, Jaya Luxury Garment Care, Kotch! Italian Stone-Baked Pizza and Bar and A.Happy Library.

Nick Monopoli, co-chair and founder, said: “The turn-out was amazing and the effort put in by our community showed off their talents and different cultures.”

Martin Smith, co-chair, added: “Our local businesses are key to our community and with our own council ward next year; we can’t wait to bring people together more.”

Maryland Community Group promised the trail will be back next year – bigger and better!

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.