We Love Looe
New Childrens History Book Brings Fresh Perspective to Classic Tales
A new book has been launched which aims to put a fresh spin on some of the classic myths and legends of the Cornish seaside town of Looe.
We Love Looe uses hand-painted artwork to bring to life the rich heritage of the picturesque resort, which was once a haven for smugglers and prone to visits from kidnapping pirates.
The book has been produced by a unique partnership between the University of Plymouth, Groundwork South West and a team of young researchers - all pupils at Looe Community School.
English student Charlotte Chase has written the book, with graduate Oliver Goodson providing the illustrations. And the pair, along with publishing student Danielle Woodbridge, have been mentored by children's author Helen Greathead, who commissioned the Horrible Histories series.
Marc Lintern, Head of Employability at the University of Plymouth, said: "The book is a tribute to both the town of Looe, with its wonderfully rich history, and also the partners involved who have worked together to make this happen.
"The idea behind We Love Looe is to engage young readers with their local environment, but also to provide experiential learning for both the students involved and also the Year 8 pupils who did such a great job in identifying myths and legends that could feature."
Among the stories contained in the book is how, in 1625, Looe Town Council announced it would compensate the families of local fishermen who were kidnapped by pirates from the Barbary Coast in Africa.
There is the tale of how the spire of Duloe Church came to be leaning as a result of smugglers storing so much contraband that it warped the foundations in the 19th century. And then there is a haunting story of the exceedingly tall ghost of Looe Island, and how a recent archaeological dig unearthed a very large skeleton.
Anne Tillet, Education and Training Manager at Groundwork South West, said: "We Love Looe has given Groundwork South West the opportunity to work closely with all the school pupils in exploring their local history which in turn provides a better understanding of their local environment.
"The experience has also allowed the pupils a taste of University life, and we hope the book goes on to help a large number of people, further afield, to celebrate the heritage and culture of Looe."
We Love Looe will go on sale this month following public launches in both Cornwall and Devon. All proceeds from the sales will go towards funding more books in the series.