The Disenchanted Forest grew out of the idea that the woods beside the Altgoan River, through which the resident family had cleared a meandering trail, would be a perfect location for something like a Halloween Trail.
The idea was bandied about among family & friends and by September 2009 a decision was made to go for it. It has been suggested that the project was really just an excuse for Walter to light his home trees, but if it was to live up to its name there was much else that needed to be done - and certainly more than immediate family would be able to provide.
And it would need a cast as well as a crew - or an awful lot of automations
Down at the Cellar bar in nearby Draperstown, for the night of the first Saturday in October, Walter told Stevie about his plans. Stevie, who used to play in the derelict glebe house as a child, was immediately enthusiastic. He promptly introduced Kieran who had been wondering how best to focus his recent explorations into microchips and animatronics. Vibrant discussions followed, ideas flew thick & fast and it was generally agreed that an incredible Halloween Trail could be put on in 13 months time.
But there were less than 4 weeks to the next occurrence of All Hallows E'en and Walter was adamant that something was going to happen.
So the three gathered on site the next day. Yet more scary ideas took flight. The enormous potential of the site provoked awe at the task ahead: A whole section of potential path was entirely non-existent, at least three more bridges would need to be built, a graveyard had to materialise.
And if anyone was going to come to 'enjoy' the result, they needed to know about it.
Kieran turned out to be a graphic designer and got straight to work on a flyer. Walter started investigating local and web media and Stevie - who is first and foremost an accomplished potter, began turning out gravestones. (The dead also were to be invited).
The next weekend witnessed our first working bee (an Australian term that describes the gathering of a mob to achieve significantly more in a single session that individuals could over a long time, if at all). Peter turned up and proved to be one who knew how to use a shovel and a ghetto blaster simultaneously.
