This Is Guernsey

By Simon Tostevin

LOCAL myths, legends and ghost stories are wanted for a new book. Once collected, the tales will be put together as a 32-page A5 publication and sold by Click!, a company in this year’s Young Enterprise competition.

The firm is appealing for anyone who has a personal account to share and is willing to have their story published.

‘We had a big brainstorm session a few weeks ago about what products we could do and this seemed to get the best response,’ said Click! human resources manager Zoe Crawley, 17.

‘We were going to do stuff like car washes or gift-wrapping, but doing this will keep everyone interested.’

Click! plans to have between 10 and 20 stories by the time the book goes to print. It will be on sale - priced between £5 and £6 - in Town during late night shopping.

Marketing director Emily Gaudion, 16, said: ‘A lot of our parents have shown an interest in it and said they would buy it. We’ve compared it to similar books you can get about Guernsey and ours is a lot cheaper.’

The group has already conducted market research and has so far received a good response.

‘With our book containing myths, legends and ghost stories, it will be much more diverse than some others you can get and it will include a variety of historical events,’ added Miss Crawley.

Click! will also welcome photographs and drawings of Guernsey, with the most appropriate appearing on the front cover.

The deadline for stories is 10 November, with each contributor being credited in the final collection.

‘It’s quite expensive to get your work published so this is an easier way to receive recognition,’ said Miss Gaudion.

As a side product to their Guernsey book, Click! will also be selling decorated horseshoes, said deputy secretary Josie Ayre.

‘The horseshoes can be a bit of a stocking filler for people who are quite superstitious. It ties in quite well with the type of stories we are looking for.

‘A farrier will get rid of the rust for us and we will decorate them.’

* Anyone with a story is asked to email click_ye@hotmail.co.uk, write to Click!, Le Chlisier, La Marette Court, Route des Farras, Forest, GY8 0DY, or call Emily Gaudion on 265723.

Article posted on 31st October, 2006 - 12.00am