Believe in the Magic of Blackburn Town Centre book signing at WHSmith

Believe in the Magic of Blackburn Town Centre, written by award-winning local author Christina Gabbitas, features a make-believe family and their adventures in the centre of Blackburn.   

The book will form the backbone of the interactive trail organised by Blackburn town centre Business Improvement District (BID), taking in the various locations in the book.   

A map featuring the landmarks is included in each copy of the book, providing families with a socially distanced treasure hunt around the town centre.    

At each of the locations, families can scan a QR code via the Experience Blackburn app to reveal a letter. Once all the letters have been found they can enter a draw to be in with a chance of winning £150 in Blackburn shopping vouchers.   

In the story, Peggy and Imtiaz explore Blackburn Museum and find a secret passage in the Egyptian room. A gold coin rolling down the passage captures Peggy’s attention. They follow the coin which takes them back in time to the 1800’s.   

As they visit locations such as King George’s Hall, Blakey Moor, the Library, the Market, Cathedral and The Mall, they realise that their journey back in time is about bringing magic to the future.   

The book has been commissioned by Blackburn BID and supported by The Mall Blackburn, King George’s Hall, Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackburn Library, Blackburn Market and Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery.  The books will be available in each of the locations featured.

A poem by Christina depicting the story is being projected onto Blackburn Town Hall until the end of December.