Need something for the kids to do in these last few days of the summer holidays, but with a slight learning edge to get them ready to go back to school?

Well, children can learn about the history of our town's flags, with this new handy guide by a knowledgable Congletonian.

Mike Tingle, who wrote the Heritage & Heraldry Trail about the symbols shown on the town flags and banners, has now produced a Junior version.

Aimed at young persons, with a little adult help depending on reading age, Congleton's Mythical Menagerie highlights the various imaginary creatures on display. 

It covers the flags on High Street and along the precinct, to Little Street. Making this short walk with a parent, spotting the creatures en-route, would provide more fun.

But if this is not possible, the eight-page booklet, illustrated with two dozen photos, can simply be read at home.

Some of the creatures are based on real animals, but are imaginary due to their unconventional colours. Purple lions do not really exist! 

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Others are mythical creatures, existing only in the minds of storytellers, like the Griffin (aka Gryphon) that Alice meets in Wonderland - and in heraldry, like the Unicorn.

Unlike the adult Trail, this booklet is not about heraldry. It simply gives brief information about each creature met en-route.

Copies are available at the Tourist Information Centre on High Street, along with an assortment of Congleton 750 information and merchandise.

See Also: Heritage and Heraldry: The stories behind the Congleton 750 flags

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Article by Mike Tingle and Alex Greensmith