The Butterflies Of Meadow Hill Manor, Book Based In Belper Published By Author Stefanie Parks
Inspired by a train trip to Belper, Stefanie Parks debuts with a magical tale that touches on themes of grief and friendship for the younger reader.
Stefanie Parks was born and raised in the beautiful county of Derbyshire which became the inspiration and setting for her stories. As a child Stefanie lived in Middleton-by-Matlock, a village that was once home to D.H. Lawrence and is believed to be the setting for his short story ‘A Wintry Peacock’. Her parents enjoyed being outside and the family often spent their weekends hiking parts of the High Peak Trail, scrambling at Black Rocks or biking around Carsington Water.
As an adult, Stefanie attended Derby University and trained as a teacher. During her training, she completed a placement at Belper primary school and fell in love with the area. She moved to Belper during her final year at university and was inspired to write The Butterflies of Meadow Hill Manor on her return from university one day. The opening scene of the book is set in Belper train station.
Stefanie explains, “I arrived at the station on a dark, rainy night and thought this would be a great opening scene. I started writing that same night and although the story has changed a great deal over the years, the location has remained the same.”
Locals familiar with the Amber Valley area might also notice that the fictitious Meadow Hill Manor strongly resembles the beautiful Makeney Hall located on the outskirts of Belper.
Stefanie currently lives with her husband in Christchurch, New Zealand where she is writing her next book which will also be based in Amber Valley. “I spent many happy years living in Belper and it’s the perfect location for my second book. I’m looking forward to showcasing more of the town’s historic buildings such as St John’s Chapel and Strutt’s Mill.”
Amy has been sent to live with her aunt at Meadow Hill Manor in Belper, Derbyshire, to help her ‘recover’. Rumours abound that the house is haunted, but Amy doesn’t care. It’s just another place to live and Amy is determined not to care about anything. What would be the point?
Amy’s obsession with shutting the world out is interrupted when she hears strange noises in the house. Here she finds herself drawn to a mysterious, magical power hidden within the building. Should she ignore it, or should she face her fears and embrace this strange, new magic?
Heart-warming and unique, The Butterflies of Meadow Hill Manor is a moving fantasy fiction which sensitively weaves themes of grief and anxiety along with friendship and discovery to deliver a truly magical story.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Working Parents Encouraged To Apply Now For 30 Hours Of Funded Childcare Working parents of babies and pre-school children are being encouraged to apply now for up to 30 hours of fu read more | |
| Working In Partnership To Support Derbyshire Residents Working together to support Derbyshire residents and strengthen communities was the clear message to come out of a meeting bet read more | |
| Heanor five-year-old wins £100 for school library A creative five-year-old from Heanor is celebrating after winning a charity competition to design a book cover with a Communi read more | |
| Trading Standards Warn Don't Fall Foul Of Rogue Roofers Trading standards are warning Derbyshire residents to be on their guard against rogue roofers after nearly half of the doorst read more | |
| Cromford Mills Awarded Major Grant from The National Heritage Lottery Fund The Arkwright Society is delighted to announce that Cromford Mills has secured £1.3 million in vital de read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
| The opening night of the Lights of Abraham Winter Lights Trail The brand new winter lights trail, the 'Lights of Abraham' opened on Friday 22nd November at the Heights of Abraham in read more | |
| Can You Help DREAM Paranormal With Their Research My name is Simon Dean, Lead Investigator of DREAM paranormal and I am looking for your help. read more | |
| Cold Callers claiming to be working on behalf of Derbyshire County Council Policehave seen and increase in reports of 'cold callers' where people are claiming to be working on behal read more | |
