12th July 2011

The Sea Swallow, new from Foxtail books, is based on the history, landscape and tall tales of the Wyre Coast.

Cumbrian author Gareth Thompson took the unique geology and wildlife of Wyre, and hundreds of local stories of shipwreck and adventure, to weave the tale of a girl who rescues her village from being swamped by the sea.

As part of Wyre Council’s Sea Change programme that is revitalising seven miles of coast from Cleveleys to Fleetwood, the charity Litfest was commissioned to create a book that would capture this exciting environment. From Autumn onwards the new promenade at Cleveleys, which now boasts 25 awards, will site a trail of public artworks inspired by the book. These will encourage parents and children to explore the real incredible coast.

‘It’s an amazing place,’ said Gareth. ‘I was already familiar with Morecambe Bay, but with the wealth of natural features like the Lune Deep, stories of sunken villages like Singleton Thorpe and the Marton mermaid, it was hard to know what to leave out. Cornish-based illustrator Hannah Megee worked alongside Gareth.

‘Lots of children’s books are based on real places in Cornwall. The Wyre coast, like Cornwall, has its own natural features and a quality of light that
is very special,’ said Hannah.

In the afternoon, Gareth and Hannah are dropping into a workshop for countryside rangers learning to tell stories of the area, as a way to enhance the skills they use everyday, interpreting local ecology and history for visitors. Nationally acclaimed storyteller Dominic Kelly will be transferring his skills to the volunteer rangers.

Gareth Thompson will be signing copies of The Sea Swallow on Sunday 17th July from 1pm-3pm at the Visit Fleetwood Centre as part of
the Tram sunday celelbrations.

Books and postcards will be on sale from Wyre Visitor Centres and
selected bookshops.

The Sea Swallow is part of the Mythic Coast
project, which will include new sculptures along
the Wyre Coast, electonic and audio versions of the book, education materials for teachers to use, and a website, www.wyreway.org/mythic-coast.

Press Contacts:
Litfest
Timothy Franklin
01524 62166
[email protected]
Wyre Council
Nikki Wilcock
01253 887526
[email protected]

For press photographs and sales
enquiries, please contact Tim Franklin.

Books and postcards will be
available on sale from Wyre
Visitor centres and other retailers
in Wyre.