Railway buffs young and old will love reading all about the escapades of an adventurous station cat…

A beautifully illustrated new children’s book set in the heyday of the Victorian railways tells the true story of an adventurous cat.

When author Christine Scott first learned of the story, she was really excited to share it with a wider audience. The book celebrates the rich and diverse railway history associated with Templecombe Station in a unique, true story previously known only to a handful of people.

In the early days of the station , all sorts of parcels were delivered by train… In 1870, ‘Sevenpence’ arrived at Templecombe Station aboard a steam train from Bishop Stoke (now Eastleigh) Station in Hampshire. The fare of train ride was ‘seven pennies’ hence the cat’s name of Sevenpence.

At a packed celebration launch and book-signing event at Gartell Light Railway in Yenston, host of the event and chairman of the Blackmore Vale Line Community Rail Partnership, Derek Beer, said, “We are delighted to play a part in bringing an exciting new children’s book to market. The Tale of Sevenpence the Templecombe Station Cat shares the unique heritage and railway history of Templecombe station with a wider audience.”

Beautifully illustrated by Justyna Burk, Sevenpence is a delightful tale of human kindness based on real events and celebrates the greatest traditions of the Victorian railway era.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to The Friends of Templecombe Station to help with their award-winning station gardens.

Sevenpence can be purchased at Templecombe, Sherborne and Shillingstone stations; Dike and Son in Stalbridge (DT10 2NB); and Westcombe Stores (BA8 0LH).

If you would like a copy signed by the author and hand-delivered free of charge locally, for the grand price of £4.99, please contact Christine on 07581 000898 or scott_47@yahoo.co.uk. Payment can be made by PayPal.