Tom’s tale follows in Peter Pan’s footsteps

The same Moat Brae gardens which inspired Peter Pan creator JM Barrie are also the inspiration behind Tom’s new book, which was launched at an event held at the house in George Street on Tuesday.
Hailing the new publication, Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust patron Joanna Lumley said: “We are thrilled by Sixteen String Jack.
“It’s the first new storybook adventure inspired by the garden at Moat Brae House since Peter Pan itself.”
Ms Lumley added: “The book is especially important because right now we are campaigning hard to raise the money to create a wonderful new Neverland Garden at Moat Brae House.
“Children from all over the world will be able to come here and have their very own adventures in the place where Peter Pan Began.”
Ilustrated by Ian Andrew, ‘Sixteen String Jack and the Garden of Adventure’ sees Daisy taken into an overgrown garden by her grandmother, which years before was the playground for her and other children.
*p(0,5.669,0,8,0,0,g)Sixteen String Jack and Dare Devil Dick were shipwrecked there, with only Jack’s fame never dying \_ as he would go on to become JM Barrie.
Children from St Michael’s Primary School in Dumfries have spent the past few months learning about author Tom Pow and have read all his published work.
And pupils were given the first chance to hear the story when Tom visited the school in March.
Work continues on the £5.5 million campaign to see the literary centre and ‘Neverland Discovery Garden’ open in 2017, with over £4 million already raised towards that goal.
An exhibition of illustrations from the book takes place at Moat Brae runs until Sunday, with free tours of the house and garden this Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 3 pm.