Popular Warrington pub is the inspiration for new children's novel

Thelwall resident and author, Peter Hossack-Gilberts based a key setting in his book after his cherished local The Pickering Arms.

The retired advertiser who grew up in Latchford turned his hand to writing during the lockdown when he found his imagination and creative juices beginning to flow.

Peter’s book, titled Professor Peregrine Greylag and the Three Keys of Didsvale Park, is aimed at a young audience and Kingfisher Cottage featured in the book is based on The Pickering Arms.

“The storyline features a country dwelling named Kingfisher Cottage, which is not too dissimilar from the quaint olde-worlde appearance of ‘The Pic’.”

Many elements of the book take inspiration from Peter’s life in Warrington.

He explained how the pandemic helped him to create the world and characters in his children’s novel which features magic, mystery and plenty of puzzle solving.

Explaining his journey to writing, Peter said: “My professional background has helped. I worked in advertising for Kellogs as well as in marketing for 20 years.

Pictured: Author, Peter Hossack-Gilberts (Image: Supplied)

“I co-owned a graphics design agency in Wilderspool Park, and we would create logos and branding and product designs for major brands. There was a creative element to the job.”

Peter began inventing narratives when he created a WhatsApp group with some friends during lockdown for some respite from the boredom.

“I would send out clues each week and my friends would play along trying to solve the mystery.”

After seeing the enjoyment his friends found from his clever and twisting plots, he decided finally to put pen to paper and two years later his book has finally been published.

The plot sees a young family move into Kingfisher Cottage in Didsvale Park, named after a park, that he regularly visits with his grandchildren in Disbury, Greater Manchester.

Readers are then taken on a magical journey, as strange and mysterious things begin to take place in the park.

Peter approached Olympia Publishers with his initial idea for the novel and was taken aback when they agreed to go ahead with publication of the novel.

The author based the location in his children's novel on his local pub, The Pickering Arms (Image: Supplied)

Summarising the audience his story may appeal to, he said: “It is a family friendly story, it is for young children and older adults with an adventurous mind.

“There is a little bit of everything in there.”

Peter spoke of the ‘legacy’ he will leave for his family, with his children’s novel now being available in public libraries to read.

“I am not looking to be a multi-million pound author but I have achieved what I wanted,” he added.

Peter has already began plotting ideas for his next novel which he hinted would be for an adult audience and will be of the thriller genre this time.