School Author Visits in Skelmersdale
Sophie’s recent author visit to a primary school in Skelmersdale took students on an immersive journey through the centuries to discover local legend and folklore. Through captivating storytelling, imagery, music, and film, Sophie encouraged the children to see the magic hidden in everyday places and to use their imagination to bring the past to life. By introducing the mischievous boggarts of the mosslands, the eerie legend of Jinny Greenteeth, and the ill-fated highwayman George Lyon, students were inspired to look beyond the ordinary and uncover the extraordinary stories woven into their surroundings.
During Magic in the Mundane in Skelmersdale, children were introduced to the mischievous world of boggarts, magical creatures with a long history in the area. Skelmersdale is built on the West Lancashire Mosslands, a boggy land where boggarts were believed to live and cause all sorts of trouble. These shape-shifting creatures were known to play tricks, from hiding people’s belongings to frightening travellers on lonely paths!
The children were also introduced to Jinny Greenteeth, a green-haired water spirit said to haunt the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. With hair as wild as a bramble bush and teeth the dentist hadn’t seen in centuries, Jinny would pop up from the murky water to startle anyone who ventured too close!
As part of the adventure, the children also learned about George Lyon, a daring local highwayman who once roamed the banks of the River Tawd in the 18th century. Sophie explained how George Lyon became infamous for his incredibly bad luck and told the disastrous tale of how he once tried to rob a coach carrying wages to a nearby coal mine. On the day of the robbery, a fierce storm raged, and George, eager to make his move, jumped out to stop the coach. Unfortunately, he jumped out far too early, and the rain ruined the gunpowder in his pistol, leaving him defenceless and the gun as useless as a wet match! The coach driver, realising George had made a critical mistake, urged the horses into a fast run, and as the coach sped past, the storm whipped up, splashing Goerge with a tidal wave of mud! Some people believe George Lyon’s ghost still haunts the banks of the River Tawd. If you’re out late at night, you might hear the sound of hooves and a distant cry of 'Stand and Deliver!'
Whether discovering Skelmersdale’s haunted histories or exploring hidden folklore, Sophie’s Skelmersdale school author visits spark creativity and inspire a love for storytelling. Magic in the Mundane encourages children to see the magic in everyday places while learning about their heritage and the fascinating tales that have shaped their local area.
Book Sophie for your next school visit and experience the magic of local stories brought to life in your classroom.
For more information on Sophie’s Magic in the Mundane school visits and how she integrates local folklore into her sessions, visit www.stonehillpress.co.uk/teachers.
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