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Discover the extraordinary in the ordinary with Sophie’s Magic in the Mundane school sessions, inspiring primary school children in Preston and across the UK to reimagine their world through storytelling, performance, poetry, and creative writing.


Sophie brings the legends of Preston to life through her dynamic author sessions and creative writing workshops. With Magic in the Mundane, she invites students to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary, sparking their imaginations with the legend of The Black Dog of Preston, the knighting of Sir Loin, the tale of Kilgrimol and the Priest and the Eel. and other fascinating local legends. Alongside this captivating presentation, Sophie leads an immersive creative writing workshop, where children explore their storytelling skills, and an interactive reading of The Best-Kept Secret, complete with costumes for all, props, and a sprinkle of magic! Each visit is tailored to schools in Preston, across the UK, and beyond, offering a one-of-a-kind, immersive experience that inspires creativity and brings folklore to life.

'𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐬."


Magic in the Mundane. A Best-Kept Secret author session bringing folklore and legend to life.

Preston school author visits: Boggarts and Bacon!  


Preston is surrounded by lots of marshy, wetland areas that have shaped the land for many centuries. Just south of the city, you'll find Penwortham Marsh and Farrington Moss—‘moss’ is the old name for low-lying, boggy land. To the north, there's Grimsargh Wetlands, a nature reserve, home to various birds and animals -but it's not just birds and animals you'll find in these soggy, boggy places; these marshy areas around Preston are the perfect hiding place for... boggarts!


Boggarts are a key part of Preston’s folklore, said to lurk in old mills, farmhouses, and shadowy woodland paths- In fact, they’re so ingrained in Preston’s history that places like Boggarts Wood near Fulwood carry their name! These mischievous spirits are known for causing trouble—moving objects, creating strange noises, and jumping out from behind trees or bushes just to give you a good scare! Some tales describe boggarts as shapeshifters, able to take on different forms to trick and confuse the locals. Others speak of their more sinister side, with stories of boggarts stealing babies and swapping them for boggart babies, 'changelings'.


The Changeling, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret PrestonAuthor Visit


The shapeshifting Boggart of Longridge Fell

Across the landscape in Lancashire, there are ancient tales of shapeshifting boggarts, mischievous creatures who could transform into anything—dogs, trees, even a bale of hay! According to local folklore, these creatures were often trapped beneath large stones or the bases of old crosses to keep them from escaping and causing havoc. One such spot is Longridge Fell, just a few miles north of Preston, where cairns and ancient stone formations can still be found. While we can't say for sure that a boggart is beneath each stone, these rocky mounds are believed to be the perfect place to imprison these tricky creatures. The idea was that trapping them this way would prevent them from sneaking off and causing mischief in nearby villages!



Trapped! Shapeshifting Boggarts in Lancashire by Sophie for The Best-Kept Secret author visits

The Legendary Black Dog of Preston.

During Sophie’s school visits, the children love hearing about one of Preston’s strangest legends—the Black Dog. But this was no ordinary dog! According to local folklore, it was a headless shapeshifting boggart that guarded the city gates, and its eerie howls were said to be a warning of danger. People believed that if the Black Dog lay on a doorstep, it was a bad omen, and something disastrous was about to happen to the house owners.


Of course, as soon as Sophie tells the story, the children always burst out laughing. "But how did it howl if it didn’t have a head?" they ask! Some suggest it had an invisible head, while others think it might have a speaker inside its chest! One thing’s for sure—the Black Dog of Preston certainly sparks some wild ideas!


Jinny Greenteeth: Lancashire’s Legendary Water Witch

The children are also introduced to Jinny Greenteeth, one of the most well-known characters in Lancashire folklore. Jinny is a mischievous freshwater spirit said to haunt the waters of ponds, marshes, rivers, and canals across Lancashire, including the Lancaster Canal and the River Ribble, which flows through the south of the city centre. She’s not your typical fairy, though—Jinny is known for her green mossy skin and for never, EVER visiting a dentist!


Some stories tell of her as a helpful spirit, watching over the waters and guiding lost travellers with her lantern. But in other tales, she’s more eerie and spooky, luring people closer with false promises of hidden treasures. With a flash of green and a ripple in the water, she loves to surprise anyone who ventures too near. So, if you’re ever exploring Preston’s waterways, keep a safe distance but keep an eye out for that glimmer of green—you may just catch a glimpse of Jinny Greenteeth herself!



The Legend of Jinny Grrenteeth, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret Preston Author Visit

Judge and Jail -Preston's Ties to the Witch Trials

At the start of Sophie’s author visits, students are introduced to the Lancashire witch trials, with Elizabeth Demdike—a key character in Sophie’s book The Best-Kept Secret—setting the stage. This introduction then leads into Magic in the Mundane, where Sophie connects the witch trials to Preston’s own significant links to the events in 1612, making the session even more meaningful for school children in Preston.


In the 17th century, a judge named Sir James Altham lived in Avenham, a part of Preston near the River Ribble. He played an important role in the famous Pendle Witch Trials. Sir James Altham was one of the main judges who helped decide the fates of the 12 women accused of witchcraft, including the infamous Elizabeth Demdike. His home was in a wealthy area of Preston, close to Avenham Park


Some of the accused witches, like Elizabeth Southerns (known as Demdike), were imprisoned in the county gaol in Preston. The trial of the Pendle Witches took place in Lancaster, but the suspects were held in custody in nearby towns, including Preston, before being transported to Lancaster for their trial.



Arise Sir Loin! One of the highlights of Magic in Mundane in Preston (at least for Sophie!) is the famous tale of Sir Loin, a humorous and quirky piece of Preston's history. Legend has it that King James I was so impressed with a particularly fine piece of beef he ate during a banquet at Hoghton Tower that he knighted it ‘Sir Loin’, which is how it got its name!



A king knighting a steak
Arise Sir Loin! Created by Sophie for The Best-Kept Secret author visits in Preston



Belvedere Pavilion, Avenham Park: Folly, Fairy Gateway or Alien Portal?

The session ends with a visit to Belvedere Pavilion in Avenham Park, a place of intrigue and magic. Could this simple folly be a fairy gateway or portal to another dimension? Sophie encourages the children to see the world around them differently, reminding them that the most magical stories are often hidden in plain sight.



Belvedere Pavilion, Avenham Park, Preston, - Fairy gateway or portal to an alternate universe? Animated PowerPoint slide created by Sophie for Preston school author visits

Sophie ensures that every school author visit to Preston is deeply rooted in the local community, focusing on places the children will recognise or are close to the school. Whether the school is in the town centre or on the outskirts, Sophie tailors her sessions to reflect the unique folklore, history, and myths of the area. In schools towards the west of Preston, closest to the boundaries of the Flyde area, for example, Sophie shares the story of Kilgrimol and the legend of the Priest and the Eel. A long time ago, people believed that dark spirits lurked in the marshes around Marton Mere, (not to be confused with Martin Mere!) According to a story from Victorian times, these spirits were worshipped by the ancient Britons—until a brave priest named Grim arrived from a place called Kilgrimol. Grim battled the most powerful spirit and trapped it in the mere, where it transformed into a giant, wriggling eel!


Nearly a thousand years later, during Viking times, the creature escaped. It slithered out of the water at night to steal the villagers' sheep! The villagers asked a local priest to help, but no matter how hard the local priest tried, he couldn’t stop it. Desperate, he went to the ruins of Grim’s old chapel and prayed for help. That night, as the chapel bell rang in the darkness, the priest heard a ghostly voice telling him what to do. The voice told him to make a special cake—an oatmeal cake with a cross on top. But there was a twist: the cross had to be covered with a crispy piece of bacon. The priest did just as the voice instructed, and when the eel came out that night, it smelled the delicious bacon and rushed to eat it. But as it swallowed the cake, the cross got stuck in its throat, and the eel began to choke and retreated back to safe waters. At last, the monstrous eel was trapped back in Marton Mere—where it remains to this day.



A large eel looking at an oatcake topped with bacon offered by a priest
The Priest, The Eel and the Bacon Oatcake! created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret



Why Choose Sophie’s Author Visits for Your School in Preston?


Sophie’s author visits offer schools a unique and engaging way to connect children with local legends, folklore, creative writing, and storytelling. Designed for primary schools in Preston and beyond, Sophie’s school visits inspire young minds by showing them the magic hidden in everyday life, sparking their imagination and helping them craft their own stories. Her author visits, workshops, and storytelling activities align with key areas of the curriculum, including literacy, history, poetry, and local legends. However, Sophie's ultimate goal is to ignite a passion for reading, sparking children's imaginations and fostering a deep, lasting love for books that will stay with them throughout their lives.


​We offer Preston Primary Schools:

​​
FREE school author visits for small or struggling schools 
School author visits, half-day and full-day sessions starting at £175 for a two-hour author session, including an interactive reading of The Best-Kept Secret, Magic in the Mundane and an immersive creative writing workshop)
Virtual school author visits for £125
Suitable for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Primary School Children For more information, including testimonials, photos, and pricing, click here







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Sophie’s Best-Kept Secret author visits offer Ribble Valley schools a unique and engaging way to connect children with local legends, folklore, creative writing, and storytelling. With The Best-Kept Secret set in Clitheroe, Sophie brings a personal link to the area, creating a deeper connection with the children in the Ribble Valley as they explore the magic of their own surroundings and the rich history which shapes their environment.

Clitheroe Castle , illustration by Eli John for The Best-Kept Secret
Clitheroe Castle, illustrated by Eli John for The Best-Kept Secret The Best-Kept Secret, holds a special resonance for children across the Ribble Valley as every page is filled with sights and experiences they will recognise from their daily lives. From Clitheroe's bustling streets and the Castle Keep to Pendle Hill, the local parks, familiar shops, and much-loved annual events.

School Author Visits in the Ribble Valley

Sophie delivers an unforgettable experience with highly interactive author sessions based on her book The Best-Kept Secret. Her engaging storytelling, with costumes for all, atmospheric music, and special effects, transports students into a fantastical world of witches and dragons rooted in rich history and local legend. Children eagerly take on roles, don witches' hats, and help conjure a baby dragon from a bubbling cauldron filled with mystical fog.


Sophie's Ribble Valley school author visits also feature an exciting immersive creative writing workshop designed to inspire young minds through hands-on activities such as:


  • Reimagining Realms – A sensory journey to spark imagination and enrich descriptive writing using blindfolds.

  • The Bare Bones – A structured yet fun approach to building compelling stories.

  • Stagecraft – A dynamic role-playing exercise focused on ‘show, not tell’ techniques.

  • Dragonlore – A unique sensory experience featuring magical props to create vivid descriptions, including a wooden box containing a dragon claw, dragon teeth, and dragon scales.


In addition to The Best-Kept Secret, Sophie introduces students to Magic in the Mundane, a virtual whistle-stop tour of the Ribble Valley’s hidden secrets, folklore, and legend through storytelling, music, animation, and film. Sophie ensures that each presentation is deeply rooted in the local community, focusing on places the children will recognise or are close to the school.



Clitheroe, Ribble Valley, illustrated by Eli John for The Best-Kept Secret
Clitheroe King Street Illustrated by Eli John for The Best-Kept Secret The Best-Kept Secret holds a special resonance for children across the Ribble Valley Every page is filled with sights and experiences they will recognise from their daily lives. From Clitheroe's bustling streets and the Castle Keep to Pendle Hill, the local parks, familiar shops, and much-loved annual events.

Pendle Hill, Illustrated by Eli John for The Best-Kept Secret
Pendle Hill, Ribble Valley, Illustrated by Eli John for The Best-Kept Secret

Ribble Valley School author visits: Magic in the Mundane


'The magic of The Best-Kept Secret isn’t just in the story; it’s in the way it ignites children’s imaginations, encouraging them to think about their world differently'

With a dragon on their doorstep, Magic in the Mundane takes on a whole new meaning for the children in schools across the Ribble Valley! Beyond the dragon, Sophie brings the region’s rich folklore and legends to life, inspiring students to see the extraordinary in the everyday. This engaging part of the Best-Kept Secret author visit immerses children in the Ribble Valley's local history with tales of boggarts, Jinny Greenteeth, and other eerie creatures that have shaped the area’s past.

'𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐬."


Boggarts: From Bowland to Balderstone The eerie woodlands, moorlands, and hidden corners of the Ribble Valley are said to be the perfect hiding spots for boggart! Boggarts are a key part of Lancashire folklore, said to lurk in old mills, farmhouses, and shadowy woodland paths- In fact, they’re so ingrained in Lancashire that places like Boggart Bridge carry their name! These mischievous spirits are known for causing trouble—moving objects, creating strange noises, and jumping out from behind trees or bushes just to give you a good scare! Some tales describe boggarts as shapeshifters, able to take on different forms to trick and confuse the locals. Others speak of their more sinister side, with stories of boggarts stealing babies and swapping them for boggart babies, 'changelings'.


The Changeling, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret Ribble Valley Author Visit

The Skriker’s Haunts: From Whalley Abbey to the Banks of the River Ribble As Sophie guides the children through local legends, she introduces them to the Skriker, an infamous creature from Lancashire folklore. She explains how the Skriker was sometimes invisible but would also appear as a massive black dog with giant paws, its footsteps eerily echoing like "squelchy old shoes walking in the mud." Sophie captivates the children with the chilling details of how the Skriker was believed to bring bad luck and, many centuries ago, was thought to prowl the grounds of Whalley Abbey, graveyards and the misty banks of the River Ribble, where its ominous presence and high-pitched howls sent shivers down the spines of all who crossed its path.



The Black Shuck, Whalley Abbey created by Sophie, for The Best-Kept Secret author visits schools in the Ribble Valley

Jinny Greenteeth: Lancashire’s Legendary Water Witch

The children are also introduced to Jinny Greenteeth, one of the most well-known characters in Lancashire folklore. Jinny is a mischievous freshwater spirit said to haunt ponds, reservoirs, and rivers in Lancashire, including The River Ribble, The River Hodder and the River Calder in the Ribble Valley. She’s not your typical fairy, though—Jinny is known for her green mossy skin and for never, EVER visiting a dentist!


Some stories tell of her as a helpful spirit, watching over the waters and guiding lost travellers with her lantern. But in other tales, she’s more eerie and spooky, luring people closer with false promises of hidden treasures. With a flash of green and a ripple in the water, she loves to surprise anyone who ventures too near. So, if you’re ever out for a walk along the riverbank, keep a safe distance but keep an eye out for that glimmer of green—you may just catch a glimpse of Jinny Greenteeth herself!



The Legend of Jinny Grrenteeth, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret Ribble Valley Author Visit

The Ribble Valley's Ties to the Witch Trials

At the start of Sophie’s author visits, students are introduced to the Lancashire witch trials, with Elizabeth Demdike—a key character in Sophie’s book The Best-Kept Secret—setting the stage. This introduction then leads into Magic in the Mundane, where Sophie connects the witch trials to the Ribble Valley's own significant links to the events in 1612,


The Gateway to Pendle: Folly, Fairy Gateway or Alien Portal?

The session ends with a visit to the Gateway to Pendle, at the foot of Pendle Hill, a place of intrigue and magic. Could this simple arch, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, be a fairy gateway or portal to another dimension? Sophie encourages the children to see the world around them differently, reminding them that the most magical stories are often hidden in plain sight.



Gateway to Pendle, created by Sophie for Ribble Valley School Author Visits

Sophie ensures that every school author visit she undertakes in the Ribble Valley is deeply rooted in the local community, focusing on places the children will recognise or are close to the school. Whether the school is in Clitheroe or one of the outlying villages, Sophie tailors her sessions to reflect the unique folklore, history, and myths of the area. In a school in Gisburn, for example, Sophie shared the story of Jennet Preston, the Gisburn witch who was accused of causing the death of Thomas Lister. She then took students on a journey through Gisburn Forest, exploring its mix of woodland and bogland—home to boggarts, shape-shifting spirits who were said to live in marshland, holes, and under bridges. Sophie also delved into the legend of Robin Hood and his enemy, Sir Guy of Gisburn, drawing links to the discovery of an ancient sword at Bomber Camp just outside Gisburn.



Why Choose Sophie’s Author Visits for Your School in The Ribble Valley?


Designed for primary schools in Lancashire and beyond, Sophie’s school visits inspire young minds by showing them the magic hidden in everyday life, sparking their imagination, and helping them craft their own stories. Her author visits, workshops, and storytelling activities align with key areas of the curriculum, including literacy, history, poetry, and local legends. However, Sophie’s ultimate goal is to ignite a passion for reading, sparking children’s imaginations and fostering a deep, lasting love for books that will stay with them throughout their lives.


​We offer Ribble Valley Primary Schools:

​​
FREE school author visits for small or struggling schools 
School author visits, half-day and full-day sessions starting at £175 for a two-hour author session, including an interactive reading of The Best-Kept Secret, Magic in the Mundane and an immersive creative writing workshop)
Virtual school author visits for £125







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Unlock the magic hiding in everyday places with Sophie’s Magic in the Mundane school sessions, ideal for primary schools in Burnley and across the UK.


Sophie brings Burnley folklore and legends to life with Magic in the Mundane, inspiring students to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. This short yet engaging part of the Best-Kept Secret author visit immerses children in Burnley’s rich local history with tales of boggarts, Jinny Greenteeth, and more. Alongside Magic in the Mundane, Sophie also delivers an immersive creative writing workshop and a lively, interactive reading of The Best-Kept Secret, complete with costumes for all, props, and all the magic of storytelling. Tailored to suit schools in Burnley, across the UK, and beyond, each session is a unique, dynamic, and immersive experience.

'𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐬."


Magic in the Mundane. A Best-Kept Secret author session bringing folklore and legend to life.

Burnley school author visits: Boggarts and Broomsticks 


The children are first taken into the heart of Thursden Valley. Thursden Valley, on the outskirts of Burnley, takes its name from the Old English word ‘Thurs,’ meaning goblin —literally, the ‘Valley of the Goblins.’ It’s the perfect setting to explore the mischievous world of boggarts!


Boggarts are a key part of Burnley’s folklore, said to lurk in old mills, farmhouses, and shadowy woodland paths- In fact, they’re so ingrained in Burnley’s history that places like Boggart Bridge carry their name! These mischievous spirits are known for causing trouble—moving objects, creating strange noises, and jumping out from behind trees or bushes just to give you a good scare! Some tales describe boggarts as shapeshifters, able to take on different forms to trick and confuse the locals. Others speak of their more sinister side, with stories of boggarts stealing babies and swapping them for boggart babies, 'changelings'.


The Changeling, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret Burnley Author Visit


The Boggart and the Hen

In the heart of Towneley Park, Burnley, stands Boggart Bridge, steeped in local legend. According to folklore, a fearsome boggart once haunted this bridge, demanding gifts from those wishing to cross. Terrified, the townspeople struck a deal: they promised the soul of the next living being to cross the bridge in exchange for peace. The clever villagers sent an old hen across, and upon claiming its soul in a puff of sulphur, the boggart vanished, never to be seen again. To ensure the boggart never returned, the locals planted evergreen shrubs nearby, as part of the agreement was that the boggart would stay away as long as the trees remained green.


The shapeshifting Boggart of Nogworth Cross

Nogworth Cross is a historic site near Shay Lane and Todmorden Road in Lancashire. All that remains today is the base of the cross, relocated in 1909. But according to local legend, something sinister lies beneath it… Long ago, a troublesome shapeshifting boggart haunted the area, causing chaos with its pranks. The locals became fed up with the mischief, so they trapped the creature beneath Nogworth Cross, keeping it sealed away. But when the cross was moved, some wondered whether the boggart had been disturbed—perhaps escaping once more to cause trouble in the shadows.


Burnley Hand Bridge: Secrets in the Stone

And then there is Hand Bridge, a seemingly innocuous bridge many children walk over on their way to Turf Moor. Sophie challenges them to look closer at the strange symbols etched on the stone, sparking imaginations as they wonder if they are Egyptian Hieroglyphics or something even more mysterious—perhaps a message from another time or place.



Hand Bridge Burnley, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret Burnley Author Visit

Jinny Greenteeth: Lancashire’s Legendary Water Witch

The children are also introduced to Jinny Greenteeth, one of the most well-known characters in Lancashire folklore. Jinny is a mischievous freshwater spirit said to haunt the waters of ponds, marshes, rivers, and canals across Lancashire, including Burnley’s Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the River Calder, which flows through the centre of the town. She’s not your typical fairy, though—Jinny is known for her green mossy skin and for never, EVER visiting a dentist!


Some stories tell of her as a helpful spirit, watching over the waters and guiding lost travellers with her lantern. But in other tales, she’s more eerie and spooky, luring people closer with false promises of hidden treasures. With a flash of green and a ripple in the water, she loves to surprise anyone who ventures too near. So, if you’re ever exploring Burnley’s waterways, keep a safe distance but keep an eye out for that glimmer of green—you may just catch a glimpse of Jinny Greenteeth herself!



The Legend of Jinny Grrenteeth, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret Burnley Author Visit

Broomsticks and Betrayal -Burnley Town's Ties to the Witch Trials

At the start of Sophie’s author visits, students are introduced to the Lancashire witch trials, with Elizabeth Demdike—a key character in Sophie’s book The Best-Kept Secret—setting the stage. This introduction then leads into Magic in the Mundane, where Sophie connects the witch trials to Burnley’s own significant links to the events in 1612, including the story of Margaret Pearson and Gawthorpe Hall, making the session even more meaningful for Burnley school children.


In schools closer to Padiham, Sophie shares the intriguing story of Margaret Pearson, the Padiham Witch. Margaret was one of those tried alongside the Pendle witches during the infamous Lancashire witch trials of 1612.


Sophie brings the tale to life, explaining how Margaret was accused of using witchcraft to kill a horse, though the evidence against her was both strange and curious. One of the more unusual claims came from a neighbour who said that, while Margaret was in prison, a toad leapt from a pile of firewood, and the neighbour suspected it was Margaret in disguise! Although Margaret was found guilty, her punishment was less severe compared to the others tried alongside her—she was sentenced to just one year in jail.



Margaret Pearson- a neighbour's perspective! created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret
Margaret Pearson- a neighbour's perspective! created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret

Sophie also shares the story of Gawthorpe Hall, located near Padiham. In 1612, the hall was owned by Richard Shuttleworth, whose servant was the first to accuse the Pendle witches of witchcraft. Sophie adds a haunting twist, telling children that the restless spirits of the Pendle witches are said to roam the darkened halls of Gawthorpe Hall, where their tragic story began.


Monks Well, Towneley Park: Folly, Fairy Gateway or Alien Portal?

The session ends with a visit to Monks Well in Towneley Park, a place of intrigue and magic. Could this simple folly be a fairy gateway or portal to another dimension? Sophie encourages the children to see the world around them differently, reminding them that the most magical stories are often hidden in plain sight.



Monks Well in Towneley Park Burnley - Fairy gateway or portal to an alternate universe? Animated PowerPoint slide created by Sophie for Burnley school author visits

Sophie ensures that every school author visit to Burnley is deeply rooted in the local community, focusing on places the children will recognise or are close to the school. Whether the school is in the town centre or on the outskirts, Sophie tailors her sessions to reflect the unique folklore, history, and myths of the area. In schools closer to Padiham, for example, Sophie shares the story of Margaret Pearson, the Padiham witch, and the local link to the witch trials through the haunting of Gawthorpe Hall, and in schools closer to Brierfcliff she recounts the tale of the shapeshifting boggart trapped beneath Nogworth Cross.



Why Choose Sophie’s Author Visits for Your School in Burnley?


Sophie’s author visits offer schools a unique and engaging way to connect children with local legends, folklore, creative writing, and storytelling. Designed for primary schools in Burnley and beyond, Sophie’s school visits inspire young minds by showing them the magic hidden in everyday life, sparking their imagination and helping them craft their own stories. Her author visits, workshops, and storytelling activities align with key areas of the curriculum, including literacy, history, poetry, and local legends. However, Sophie's ultimate goal is to ignite a passion for reading, sparking children's imaginations and fostering a deep, lasting love for books that will stay with them throughout their lives.


​We offer Burnley Primary Schools:

​​
FREE school author visits for small or struggling schools 
School author visits, half-day and full-day sessions starting at £175 for a two-hour author session, including an interactive reading of The Best-Kept Secret, Magic in the Mundane and an immersive creative writing workshop)
Virtual school author visits for £125







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