By Trevor Baxter
CHILDREN’S PAGE turner ‘Gregory the Greenfield Giant’ proved a surprise hit at Christmas 2014 for author Chris Horrocks.
Thousands of youngsters were transfixed by tales of the mythical character and his chums looking down from Pots and Pans on Dovestone and Saddleworth’s villages.
Now, the Saddleworth Independent can reveal Gregory and his gang are coming out of hibernation in 2016 for new adventures.
“I have been approached by a number of different publishers so I am trying to box clever to decide which is the best way to go forward,” said Tameside-based Chris, a dad of two.
“There is a guy in Aberdeen I am working with who has been taken by the stories. He wants to sponsor me to get the best publishing deals.
“It was a shock how well Gregory was received. I was overwhelmed by the support,” added Chris, a former police officer now Head of Communications for a vehicle technology company.
As a way of thanking the area for its support Chris visited schools in Greenfield and Uppermill, reading from the book and following up with class workshops.
“Characters are all based round the syllabus and we’ve used alliteration when naming them,” he explained. “As well as Gregory you’ve got Davy Dovestone and Sally Saddleworth.
“There will be the introduction of new characters but Gregory will always be the central one.”
Chris’s next book – again illustrated by former Salford University student, Jake Tynan – is likely to be Gregory and the Hot Air Balloon.
And the main man could also have a role when Dovestone new visitors’ centre opens.
“Hopefully I am going to be doing some work with the RSPB around the centre using Gregory as a possible guide around the flora and fauna,” revealed Chris.
“But the first thing is to settle on a publisher to get Gregory in print again.”
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