February 2026
Haworth Art Gallery
Thank you to Community Rail Lancashire for funding a project where I have presented my Wrong Tracks author talk to children who were invited to visit the brilliant Forged in Steam photography exhibition at Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington.
Pupils from Woodnook Primary School, The Hollins secondary and St John Stonefold Primary all enjoyed learning about early railway history and trying on costume.
The Forged in Steam exhibition by the super talented Diane Muldowney includes stunning images of the Locomotion No1 replica and other heritage engines, workers and volunteers and is on show Wednesday to Sunday until 5th April 2026 and is part of the #Railway200 celebrations.
Entry to Haworth Art Gallery is free. The Gallery also showcases a spectacular collection of Tiffany Glass and I very much enjoyed learning about the different pieces and the link to Accrington. There is also a superb cafe on site.
Fun at the fun day
Another lovely project organised by Community Rail Lancashire that I was thrilled to be part of was the Railway Family Fun Day at Clitheroe Castle during February half term. As well as reading an extract from my book I was delighted to give children a free cut and fold engine designed by Wrong Tracks illustrator Jenny Czerwonka.
The event was really well attended with lots of activities for the children to enjoy including lino printing, cyanotype art, lego building and a colouring competition also designed by Jenny Czerwonka.
Photograph by Beth Nolan
This free event was part of the Tracks of Life: Trains, People and Places exhibition currently on display at the Castle’s Stewards Gallery. It was made possible with funding from the Department for Transport’s Community Rail Development Fund through the Community Rail Network and supported by the Clitheroe Castle Museum and Community Rail Lancashire.
Wellies and Words at Leigh Library
Photograph by Julie McKiernan
It was a pleasure to talk about Writing for Children and Getting Published to members of two writing groups - The Paperback Writers and The Wordsmiths - at Leigh Library.
The event was organised by Healthy Arts as part of their Wellies and Words series of workshops and open mic events.
I am delighted that Wrong Tracks has been included on two of their lists of recommended books, Books about Trains and Books set in the North of England.
BookTrust writes: ‘Northern England is rich in landscape, culture and history – and that has inspired some incredible stories. If you live in or are from the North (or just going for your holidays), you may be looking for books set there to share with your child. After all, a familiar location can help them relate to the story and feel a bigger connection. Here are just a few of our favourites for you to check out.’
Topic lists for Wrong Tracks
National Storytelling Week
It was a delight to talk to Year 4 pupils from Sacred Heart Primary about Wrong Tracks at Tyldesley Library during National Storytelling Week.
I was especially pleased to do this event not just because I’m a Wigan lass but because the main character in my book is based on a real boy from the town called Edward Entwistle.
Photograph courtesy of Sacred Heart Primary.
January 2026
Free workshop at Leigh Library
Healthy Arts are taking their Wellies and Words programme of events on tour to Leigh Library. I'll be delivering a FREE workshop for them on writing for children and getting published on Wednesday 25th February. 11am to 1pm.
Plus an Open Mic sharing event in the afternoon! Come and write, perform or just watch.
To book email juleswriter@hotmail.com
Railway Family Fun Day
I am chuffed to be taking part in a FREE railway themed family fun day at Clitheroe Castle Museum this February half term!
I will be reading from my book Wrong Tracks a historical mystery for ages 8+ about the Rainhill Trials.
The fun day poster pictured is by Lancashire artist Jenny Czerwonka who illustrated the cover for Wrong Tracks
(Published by Fox and Ink Books.)
Taking place on Monday 16 February. 12 noon –3.30pm. Celebrate 200 years of the modern railway with Community Rail Lancashire! Enjoy hands on activities, creative workshops and immersive railway heritage fun in their event space.
What’s on : Working model railway with Pendle Forest Model Railway Society. Children’s author Susan Brownrigg reads from Wrong Tracks. Train spotting game & prizes. Colouring competition (win a Family Weekend Explorer train ticket) Decorate a train wagon with community artist Gosha Gibek. Cyanotype and linocut printing with Dianne Muldowney. Selfie Station with railway hats & uniforms. Draw a platform selfie. LEGO trains with Clitheroe Library. Meet members of Ribble Valley Live Steamers. Tracks of Life exhibition celebrating railway photographer Ken Roberts
Free entry | Drop in activities | All ages welcome | No booking required
With thanks to Community Rail Lancashire, the Community Rail Development Fund, Department for Transport and Clitheroe Castle Museum.