A new children’s book by Susan Brownrigg called ‘Wrong Tracks’ was on the right track to Rufford Primary!
L-R, Stephen Benge (WoLCRP) , Susan Brownrigg (Author), Sarah Newsham (Year 6 Teacher)
The West of Lancashire Line was tooting when local author, Susan Brownrigg visited Rufford Primary school on 5th June to talk about her newly published children’s book, Wrong Tracks. Susan researches deeply the history around her topics, in this case, the Rainhill Trials – stories all focussed in the North and then makes her story about the history is finds and her creative ideas of an exciting book. She’s certainly done that in this story by the reaction to the Rufford Primary school pupils!
Susan brought her story about the Rainhill Trials to life in her engaging, fun and interactive talk which got the pupils involved throughout. It was very topical in this year when we are celebrating 200 years since the start of passenger railways in the UK, to learn about the Rainhill Trials, a competition that determined which train engine invention got to pull the first passenger train from Manchester to Liverpool. Though Susan left the pupils to find out by reading her book which of the 6 train inventions actually won the contract!
After the talk the pupils were thrilled to get their copy of the book donated by Community Rail Lancashire which Susan signed and got to dress up in authentic outfits from the Rainhill Trials time – 200 years ago! The pupils are going to share their critiques of the book in due course.
Susan said: “I was delighted to team up with Community Rail Lancashire to speak to Rufford Primary about my children’s book ‘Wrong Tracks’, early steam locomotives and the Rainhill Trials as part of the ongoing Railway 200 celebrations. The children asked fantastic questions, and they looked fabulous dressed up as my characters Edward and Prudence. It is great to see young people enthusing about their local history and the importance of railways.”
Stephen Benge, Chair of the West of Lancashire Community Rail Partnership added: “It was great to meet up with Susan, after reading and enjoying her book, and also a pleasure to visit Rufford School. Susan had the Year 6 children all engaged for 90 minutes, and they behaved so well, listening and volunteering enthusiastically, and asking a range of intelligent questions at the end. They were delighted to get their own free copy of the book each, and several of the boys started reading it straight away. I hope they all enjoy the story, and get a taste of the innovation and excitement of the Rainhill Trials.”
Harry, one of the Year 6 pupils from Rufford Primary said about the book “It keeps you on the edge of your seat!”