Glossop is bringing its high street to life in a magical way this Christmas - with the second annual festive window trail celebrating the art of storytelling.

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This year, the twinkling, literary trail, which has been masterminded by the town’s creative and cultural collective, Glossop Creates, is dedicated to the town’s future storytellers.

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The trail showcases the talents of 24 local writers, who have each crafted a short winter tale inspired by the shop or business’ location that they are paired with. The story writers include authors Matt Hill, Beth Cartwright, Dan Hanks, Keli Tomlin and Johanne Lee.  Local actors Julie Hesmondhalgh, who played Hayley in Coronation Street for many years, and Isobel Middleton from Harry Potter are also taking part in the campaign.

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The stories are displayed in the windows of the 24 local businesses, which include Dark Peak Books, Jean’s Beans Coffee, About Thyme, The Bureau, Harvey Leonard’s Wine & Ale Tasters and Hyssop & the Hare.

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The Winter Story Trail features a map that can be collected from local venues KIN.DER, Dark Peak Books, George Street Community Bookshop, Oxfam Books and the local libraries.  Families can take part in the activity by discovering all the windows and filling in a word from each which spell out a specially-created 24 word poem. It can also be downloaded at GlossopCreates.com, and audio readings of the stories are available on SoundCloud.

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Local actor Julie Hesmondhalgh said: “I’m over the moon to be part of the Glossop Story Trail again this winter; bringing community and creativity together in such a joyful way.”

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Story Trail producer Charlie Collins, said: “We’re really excited to bring Glossop’s story trail back for its second year. It’s a big challenge to bring 24 writers together with 24 local businesses, so it really is a testament to the creative, community spirit in Glossop. This year's trail was made possible thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Funding for community cultural events, and Glossop Specsavers. We’re incredibly grateful for this support, to offer local and nationally known, emerging and established writers a platform to share their stories. The trail creates such a magical atmosphere along the highstreet where the town itself becomes an advent calendar, and we hope they spark the imagination of Glossop’s residents and visitors alike.”

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The trail will run throughout the festive season until 6th January 2023.

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A Local Winter Story Trail has been part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and with support from Glossop Specsavers.