EGMONT UK PUBLISHES RARE THOMAS ARTWORK FOR THE BRAND’S 65TH ANNIVERSARY.

Egmont UK publishes rare artwork from the Rev. W. Awdry’s Estate in a sumptuous, slip cased, limited edition of Thomas the Tank Engine to celebrate The 65th anniversary of the first publication of his Railway series stories featuring Thomas and his locomotive friends.

The book features a special introduction with eight pages of rare material, including Wilbert Awdry’s sketches of engines Thomas and Gordon, a tracing of Thomas, a sketch made by Awdry for the illustrator’s guidance, the wooden model of Thomas that Awdry made for his son, Christopher, plus 4 more rare photographs giving fans an insight into the creation of the famous Railway-Series.

David Riley, Managing Director of Egmont Publishing Group said “In this sixty-fifth anniversary year, Thomas and Friends remains as popular as ever, loved by millions all over the world; the original Railway Series books continue to delight readers of all ages. This highly collectable edition is a must for both young and older fans of Thomas.”

The book allows fans of Thomas to rediscover the original classic stories about the world’s best-loved tank engine, with the engines beautifully brought to life by reproductions of C.Reginald Dalby’s illustrations.

“Christopher had measles and was getting better but he was a bit scratchy and needed entertaining,” explains Rev Awdry’s daughter Veronica Chambers. “Father told him stories, nursery rhymes and songs and his favourite was ‘Down in the Station Early in the Morning’. So to make it more interesting father drew pictures of the engines in the shed waiting to start off. They all had different faces but Christopher liked the sad one and that’s how the first story started”.

"We never dreamed that the stories our father read to us at meal times, would come to be known throughout the world and loved by children 65 years later,” says Rev.Awdry’s daughter Hilary Fortnam. “Dad would have been very surprised by that, and we are very proud of him."

“Thomas has become universal,” adds Christopher Awdry. “The general recognition the name gets from all over the world is stunning. How long the stories, the tv, the coverage will continue is anyone’s guess but having survived 65 years maybe Thomas still has a little steam left!”

Thomas the Tank Engine publishes at £14.99 on 7 June 2010 and will be available from all good book stores, www.egmont.co.uk and Amazon.

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict:

This is a delightful book, something to treasure for all Thomas the Tank Engine fans young and old! Highly Recommended!

Thomas the Tank Engine at the Festivals:

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL
20th & 21st AUGUST
16:30- 17:00
RBS IMAGINATION LAB, £4
AGE 4-7
Choo choo! Could it be sixty-five years since Thomas the Tank Engine first approached our bedtime reading platform? We think it’s time to celebrate with more than just a steamy whistle and a horn – join our wonderful storyteller for this cheeky dose of Thomas tales. Afterwards, say hello to (and even have your picture taken with) the Fat Controller!

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
16th OCTOBER
12-12.45pm
Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham £6
AGE 4-7
Choo choo! Could it be sixty-five years since Thomas the Tank Engine first approached our bedtime reading platform? We think it’s time to celebrate with more than just a steamy whistle and a horn – join our wonderful storyteller for this cheeky dose of Thomas tales. Afterwards, say hello to (and even have your picture taken with) the Fat Controller!

IF ONLY TREES COULD TALK…
National Trust uses latest technology to bring orchards to life
Have you ever wondered what trees would say if they could talk? If so, then the National Trust’s new talking trees trail at Cotehele in Cornwall is set to bring the story of the humble apple tree and orchards to life.
In a pilot project using the latest technology, the trees will literally talk – via an audio recording - when visitors swipe a small pen-like device over any apple logo they find as they wonder through the orchard.

The 15 audio clips, of varying lengths, have been recorded with the help of the local community. Each recording describes the different apple trees and varieties of apple, as well as other orchard occupants including honey bees and mistletoe.

Trail followers, will for example, hear the Colloggett Pippin’ apple tree talk in his local dialect about his breeding and how he makes great cider. The bees will talk about their short and busy lives and how they make honey. Other recordings include a wassailing song [1] and a recipe for apple crumble.

Chris Groves, orchard officer at Cotehele says: “The beauty of this device is that it allows people of all ages, particularly children, the freedom to learn outdoors and at their own pace. There is no prescribed route so people can listen to the recordings in whatever order they choose, making it easier to enjoy.

“The talking ‘pen’ is also easy to use, and the perfect way to bring to life the stories behind the apple varieties and the magic of the orchard. Cotehele is in the Tamar Valley in Cornwall, an area historically famed for its apple and cherry orchards. The old orchard, which dates from pre 1731, is full of character and mystery, while the ‘Mother Orchard’, which contains 300 trees and 120 delicious apple varieties, was planted by the local community in 2007 to establish a gene pool of heritage varieties.
“Our aim with the trail is to raise awareness of the importance of orchards, and how vital it is to protect the hundreds of different apple varieties we have in this country. We hope the trail will truly capture the imagination of many visitors to ensure that our orchards are protected for ever, for everyone.”

Other apple varieties featured in the trail include the Beauty of Bath an early dessert apple raised in Somerset in 1864, Cotehele Beauty, a dessert apple grown from a seedling found at Cotehele, Mère de Menage, a cooking apple known locally as ‘Blackrock’ – a once widespread apple found throughout the Tamar Valley but was picked from only one tree found in1980 - and Bramley Seedling, perhaps the most famous cooking apple, which celebrated its 200th anniversary last year.

The Talking Trees project has been funded thanks to money from Defra’s Greener Living Fund [2]. It is also part of Natural England’s and the Natural Trust’s joint project to promote traditional orchards by restoring, replanting and establishing orchards all around the country [3].
Visitors will be able to follow the trail until January, and again from 12 March 2011. Normal gardens admissions apply and there is no additional charge for doing the trail. The trail takes around 45 minutes to complete, and the audio pen is available from reception.
For more information visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele

[1] The orchard-visiting wassail refers to the practice of singing to trees in apple orchards to promote a good harvest for the coming year.
[2] Defra’s Greener Living Fund is a grant funding programme aiming to help individuals and communities in England to live more sustainably, and reduce their impact on the environment. Eight projects are currently being funded over two years.
[3] To find out more about traditional orchards, visit the Orchards Network website at http://www.orchardnetwork.org.uk/

MEET THE PIRATES AT LOWRY OUTLET MALL!
Lowry Outlet Mall is the place to be this summer, with lots of activities to keep the kids entertained. If your little one is mad about pirates then you won’t want to miss meeting the famous look-a-like characters Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones and a Redcoat as they create mayhem in the Mall on Saturday August 21.

The look-a-like characters will be at the Mall between 11am till 4pm on the Saturday – so make sure you get there early to be first in line and say AHOY THERE!

There will be lots of fun and adventure in the week leading to the pirates visiting; become a real life pirate by making your very own binoculars at the Craft Workshops on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 August! Binoculars are something every keen pirate needs while out at sea so don’t miss your chance to design your own with all kinds of colourful arts and crafts!

There’s Face Painting on Wednesday 17 and Sunday 22 August – so make sure you are around to get a sailor-style makeover, or become the next Jack Sparrow!

The pirate fun doesn’t end there! Head to Lime restaurant and bar at the Lowry Outlet Mall and enjoy a special Shipmate Meal! At only £4.95 per child you can enjoy a delicious meal including Pirate’s Pizza, Captain’s Chicken Goujons, Black Beard’s Mini Burgers or Cabin Boy Finn’s Fish Dippers, with a soft drink and a lolly. With an exclusive offer of ‘buy one children’s meal and get one free’ available for one week only – it’s not to be missed!

What’s more, you could be in with the chance of winning an exclusive £30 gift card from the Lowry Outlet Mall! Simply tell us what your top five treasures are – these could include your family, pets, toys and more! Send them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and a winner will be picked at random.

The Lowry Outlet Mall is the perfect destination for budding pirates and parents alike, offering free entertainment and events all year round, an on-site cinema, restaurants and stores offering up to 60% off RRP all year round.

For more information visit www.lowryoutletmall.com or follow us on http://twitter.com/lowryoutletmall

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