This week, Community Rail Lancashire partnered with Clitheroe Castle and children’s author Susan Brownrigg to give local primary school pupils a unique educational experience.

Children from Darwen Sudell Primary School (Years 2 & 4) and St Margaret’s Primary School, Langho, travelled by train to Clitheroe, while pupils from St James’ Primary School, Clitheroe, walked to the Castle Museum. Dave met the groups traveling by train to deliver a rail safety briefing and the children also worked through All Aboard booklets during the journey.

At the museum, Susan Brownrigg delivered an interactive talk, discussing her book The Wrong Tracks, which is based on the Rainhill Trials, and what it’s like to be an author. Each class received a signed copy of the book to take back to school.

In the afternoon, the children read through Arlo’s Adventures, a rail safety book. On Thursday, during World Book Day, the pupils sent a video message to Bessie Matthews, the author of Arlo’s Adventures, and were thrilled when she sent a video reply in return.

The children also enjoyed a guided tour of the museum, making the event a fun-filled celebration of reading, local history, and railway heritage.

A huge thank you to the team at Clitheroe Castle Museum, Susan Brownrigg, and Northern Trains for providing travel and making the day possible.