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."
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 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.
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!
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.
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.
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
Suitable for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Primary School Children For more information, including testimonials, photos, and pricing, click here For more details on the content of the creative writing workshops and The Best-Kept Secret interactive storytelling author session, click here.
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