NEVERLAND IN SHADOW

It’s... ...for boys and girls who never grew up. This clever-but-unhelpful response precedes our opening chapter. It won out against other annoying lines including For grown-ups who’d rather they hadn’t, For ex-children everywhere and, somewhat dramatically, For children. Of all ages.

You could say 14-to-adult. But that makes it sound like a board game. And certainly, anyone who loves J.M. Barrie’s original Peter Pan stories might well be interested in this reimagining. But that’s a given. Attention, fans of indiepop: you may enjoy identifying and ticking-off the sly references nicked from loads of bands. But that makes it sound like a board game. Again. Maybe the last word on all this is best delivered by way of another well-loved literary figure via... ...A Little Light From Darkest Peru In the window of a tenement in Glasgow’s west endstands a large, home-made Paddington Bear toy. Paddington has stood at his post since 1981, and he keeps watch over the traffic on Hyndland Road and Clarence Drive. He is seasonally attired, so if you're ever wondering whether it's summer or winter - and in Glasgow that’s often a valid query - you can glance up at the window and Paddington's outfit will give you a clue. Tacked to the window pane in question are postcards from all over the world. When people go on holiday they send Paddington a greeting. Some have even left jars of marmalade outside his door. And in December, postcards are replaced by Christmas cards. If you think that's something remarkable, and as worth celebrating as almost anything you could mention, then Neverland in Shadow could be just the story for you. And if you think it sounds like the worst thing ever, buy a copy anyway – just to prove yourself right.

A bit of history, if you’ve got a minute: in 1929, J.M. Barrie gifted to GOSH the rights to performances of Peter Pan. These rights expired in 1987, fifty years after Barrie’s death. But this is a story with a happy ending, for in 1988 the UK’s House of Lords voted to enact an amendment to the Copyright Designs & Patents Act. Result: GOSH was granted royalty rights in perpetuity. Translation: to this day, GOSH retains the rights to royalties from stage performances of the play, and from publications, audio books, e-books, radio broadcasts and films of the story - although the rights don't extend to derivative works like Neverland in Shadow. As GOSH itself explains, Prequels, sequels, spin-offs or any other derivative works based on Peter Pan and other characters from the story do not require a licence as it's out of copyright. You can read all about the hospital's enduring relationship with Peter Pan here TOYS & GAMES - SENT FROM THE SHADOWS GOSH gratefully accepts donations of new toys, games and gadgets. These mean a lot to the children and young people (the hospital cares for patients up to age 18) so this project will be sending a few bits and bobs - and in a very small way honouring J.M. Barrie's own connection with Great Ormond Street.

Works as a freelance copywriter and mainly likes animals, pop music, films & TV, walking in the park, watching sports, reading, idling and sleeping.