01/11/2026
🎪 CIRCUS OF HORRORS – ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS! 🤡
It’s a long read and video but please take the time…
A RECORD NIGHT FOR THE BULL… AND A FIRST FOR US!
Where on earth do we start?!
Four full days of building. Over 70 hours of work. A scare maze constructed completely from scratch, starting with nothing but pallets, timber and one rather crazy idea. Countless hours of planning, preparation, decorating, problem-solving, stress, blood, sweat and probably a few tears along the way.
And then came the night itself…
MY GOD, WAS IT WORTH IT! 😍
We honestly don’t think we’ve quite processed what we achieved last night. The response was incredible, the atmosphere was electric and seeing so many people enjoying something we’ve worked so hard to create has left us absolutely speechless.
We have a LOT of thank yous to make, but first, let’s talk about the night!
🎃 THE KIDS’ PARTY
Our first ever attempt at putting on an event quite like this, and what a turnout!
We had a packed-out children’s Halloween party, with over 60 people through the doors, not including those coming and going throughout the afternoon.
This was a completely FREE event for our community. And, although we won’t lie, it cost us considerably more than we originally anticipated, we wouldn’t change a thing.
Events like these are SO important. Growing up, I didn’t get to attend many events like this myself, and I know just how much experiences like these can mean to some families.
To see the children laughing, playing, dancing, getting involved and making memories is exactly why we wanted to do it.
And the kids’ version of our scare maze? A FULL QUEUE! We even had little ones lining up to have their own spooky experience.
That’s what it’s all about. ❤️
🤡 THEN CAME THE MAIN EVENT…
Nearly 100 people counted through the doors of our full scare maze experience throughout the night.
And some of the comments we received were absolutely priceless…
“THAT WAS BETTER THAN ALTON TOWERS!”
Now, we knew we’d built something a little special, but we don’t think any of us anticipated quite the reaction we got!
We had people crying, people dropping to the floor, people making failed attempts to get through and some who couldn’t even make it past our very own “Mummy Shell” the clown host at the entrance! 😂
A special mention to two particular victims…
First, Keelan who nearly went through multiples sides in our sewer section, emerging at the other end looking rather suspiciously like he’d had a little accident! We hope you’re recovering well. 🤣
And secondly, the young adult with a genuine fear of clowns who froze halfway through, dropped to their knees, rocking backwards and forwards in tears.
We really did have some unforgettable reactions!
The screams, the laughter, the running, the people turning straight back around… it was everything we’d hoped for and more.
One comment that really stuck with us was:
“THE BEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN HAPPEN AT THE BULL.”
We honestly couldn’t ask for more.
🎶 AND THE PARTY DIDN’T STOP THERE!
Once the scares were over, we partied right through until midnight!
A packed dance floor, plenty of bums on seats, some absolutely CRAZY fancy dress outfits, music pumping and an atmosphere that we won’t forget in a hurry.
From the little ones enjoying their afternoon to the adults screaming their way around the maze and then dancing the night away, it really was something special.
A massive congratulations to our adult best-dressed winners and, of course, our children’s best-dressed winner, EDISON! 🏆
You all looked fantastic!
❤️ NOW FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT ALL POSSIBLE…
There is absolutely no way we could let last night pass without recognising the people who have gone above and beyond to help bring this crazy idea to life.
This wasn’t something we could have simply ordered online or put together in an afternoon. It took a small army of family, friends and our amazing team, and every single contribution mattered.
1. SHELL & DAVE COOPER – OUR SUPER REGULARS ❤️
Where do we even begin?!
From helping secure all the wood to sourcing reams and reams of tarpaulin, your input and support have gone so far beyond anything we could have imagined.
You didn’t just turn up for a pint and watch us get on with it. You got stuck in and helped make this happen.
We genuinely couldn’t have done it without you.
A huge shoutout to AW Lumb and Jewson’s for helping us get the materials together too. 🙌🏻
Every bit of help has been appreciated more than you know.
2. GRAHAM MARSHALL – THE MAN WHO MADE THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE!
Kira’s stepdad, who was presented with one of her rather crazy ideas and somehow agreed to take it on!
A scare maze. Built completely from scratch. From pallets and timber to an entire walk-through horror experience.
There were plenty of moments when we wondered whether we’d actually get it finished, but you took that idea and turned it into something spectacular.
The planning, the construction, the hours and the effort you’ve put in have been unbelievable.
We cannot thank you enough. What an achievement, and what a job you’ve done!
3. SHELL MARSHALL – OUR VERY OWN MUMMY SHELL! 🤡
Kira’s mum, who has been there every single step of the way.
Helping with the preparations, supporting the event and, at the very last minute, jumping straight into the role of our creepy clown host at the entrance.
And MY GOD, DID SHE DELIVER!
People were petrified before they’d even stepped foot inside the maze!
But that’s only one part of what this woman does.
She cleans the pub, puts together our buffets, cares for relatives, supports The Bull and somehow still finds time to throw herself into our latest crazy ideas.
What a woman. We are so lucky to have you. ❤️
4. DANE, KARL & KEIRAN – WHAT A TEAM!
The lads who seemed to spend every waking hour at The Bull over the last week!
Early mornings, late nights, assembling the maze walls, decorating, moving things around, sorting problems and making sure everything came together. All on top of their usual jobs and responsibilities.
KARL – OUR VERY OWN PENNYWISE! 🎈
Karl absolutely embodied the role of Pennywise.
I honestly couldn’t have been more blown away by his performance. Some of the scares he delivered were ones for the centuries!
He threw himself into the character, gave people exactly what they came for and helped make the maze the experience it was.
He’s also been an absolute machine throughout the preparations, constantly finding ways to help bring everything together.
DANE – HEAD CHEF, DJ AND NOW HORROR PRODUCER! 🎧
Not only did Dane help us build and bring the maze together, but he also took on DJ duties from 4PM right through the night.
Covering the children’s party and keeping the main bar booming into the evening.
All while being our head chef and keeping everything else ticking along.
We really don’t know how you do it, but your contribution has been incredible.
5-KEIRAN – THE MAN WHO NEVER STOPS! ❤️
As an operator, you simply don’t get to switch off.
Between early mornings sorting b**r deliveries and orders, working the bar, covering the kitchen alongside head chef Dane, helping build the maze, sorting all the technical sides and making sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly, you’ve been involved in absolutely everything.
You’ve rolled with every one of Kira’s crazy ideas, no matter how big they seem, and somehow helped turn them into reality.
Nobody could ever question your hard work, dedication or passion.
The Bull couldn’t run without you, and this event wouldn’t have been the success it was without everything you’ve put into it.
We are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together.
6-JAYDE & MARK ❤️
You might remember Jayde from when she used to work at The Bull, but last night she was back helping us out with decorating and crowd control when we were pushed for time. And Mark even got sent home on an emergency mission to fetch Kira some boots after she lost her shoe! 😂
You’ve both been amazing support, and we’re so glad to have you back as our regulars. Thank you both! ❤️
7- JAMES GRAHAM – OUR VERY OWN VIDEOGRAPHER! 🎥❤️
Last but certainly not least, one of our treasured regulars who’s become a really good friend. James took on the role of videographer, GoPro in hand, capturing the madness and putting together this fantastic video – all delivered to us on the night!
You’ve captured something we’ll treasure forever, mate. We can’t thank you enough! ❤️
❤️ AND FINALLY… TO OUR COMMUNITY.
To everyone who came along, supported the event, brought the children, dressed up, queued for the maze, danced, screamed, laughed and helped make last night what it was…
THANK YOU.
We took over The Black Bull less than six months ago. Although it feels like we’ve been here forever, we’re still finding our feet, learning our venue and working incredibly hard to build something that our community can be proud of.
Our aim has always been to make The Bull more than just somewhere to come for a drink.
We want it to be somewhere families can make memories, children can enjoy experiences, friends can get together, people can socialise and the community can come together.
Last night was a perfect example of exactly what we want to achieve.
We know we’re not going to get everything right, and we know there is plenty more work to do, but nights like this remind us exactly WHY we do it.
We put on FREE entertainment because we want people to have something to look forward to. We want to create experiences, not just another night at the pub.
And if last night is anything to go by, we’re only just getting started!
To our team, our family, our friends, our regulars and everyone who helped make Circus of Horrors happen… we will never be able to thank you enough.
We’re exhausted, probably need a few days’ sleep and might not be looking at another pallet for a while… but we’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
THE BLACK BULL, YOU WERE ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT LAST NIGHT! 🖤
Here’s to making more memories, putting on bigger and better events and continuing to build something special.
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL. Your support genuinely makes all of this possible.
Much love,
The Black Bull Team ❤️🎪🤡
