Published Friday 4 December 2020 at 15:24
The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen has been turned into a storybook character in a new children’s tale.
‘Believe in the Magic of Blackburn Town Centre’ has been written by award-winning author Christina Gabbitas, who grew up in Blackburn.
The book was commissioned by Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackburn BID, The Mall, King Georges Hall, Blackburn Library and Blackburn Museum to help promote the town.
The story is about two children who are taken back through time and, after finding a secret passage in the Egyptian room in Blackburn Museum, they follow a rolling gold coin on a mission to help bring magic back into the town.
Somewhere along the way they meet Mayor, Councillor Iftakhar Hussain!
Christina will appear at The Mall for a two-day book signing on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December. The book’s illustrator, Ursula Hurst, will join on the Saturday.
The signing will be socially distanced and copies of the book will be pre-signed and available to purchase with card payments.
Commenting on the book, Christina said.
I love writing and this has to be one of my favourite commissions.
I grew up in Blackburn, on Blackburn Fire station, and revisiting all these locations, The Mall, Blackburn Museum, King Georges Hall, the Market, Library, Cathedral and College has evoked so many happy memories.
All the locations I use within the story are places that I visited regularly and are close to my heart.
Councillor Hussain, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, said:
I was delighted to be a part of Christina’s masterpiece – I love how the story combines Blackburn’s past with the town’s present.
The book truly does bring out the magic of Blackburn. I hope that both children and grown-ups throughout the town will enjoy it.
Christina will be in The Mall’s former WHSmith store from 10.30am until 4.30pm.
She will also be providing signed copies of her other works, including the Felicity Fly series, Save Us, Triangular Trev and the Shape idols and Train Journey Through Time.
Find out more about the book here: https://www.believeinmagicbtc.com/