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Winchester Tourist Information Centre hosts book launch for Binky Bear

The authors of a new book for children will be signing their book in Winchester Tourist Information Centre on Saturday 28 May from 11am until 2pm. The book - Binky’s Big Adventure – features a bear called Binky and is already proving a real hit with Hampshire children as well as bear enthusiasts of all ages. Binky will also be making a guest appearance at the book launch.
 
Binky Bear is the creation of Moira Blackwell and Liz Nankivell who both live and work in Alresford. Binky is a honey-coloured bear, about 40 cm high and he wears a dark green velvet waistcoat and a spotted handkerchief tied around his neck. 
 
Throughout the Spring and Summer of 2010, Binky was photographed in the Georgian town of Alresford as he had his ‘big adventure’ and the book contains beautiful photographs which follow his every step. 
 
The story is written in rhyme and the book contains a map showing the route young Binky takes, so people can then follow in his footsteps. 
 
Cllr George Beckett, Winchester City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism, commented: “Liz and Moira approached the tourism marketing team for ideas on promoting the book and, after the success of the ‘Look Up’ book launch, the tourism team thought it would be another golden opportunity to help promote the book as well as encourage more visitors to the tourist information centre.
 
“We are always looking to support local entrepreneurs so it is good to see that people with great ideas are coming to us for advice. The authors are also talking to other local businesses about cross promotional opportunities and it is this forward-thinking that Winchester businesses are good at.”
 
Liz Nankivell, co-author of Binky’s Big Adventure, said: “We are delighted with the success of our book.  It has taken us 18 months of fun and hard work and we have benefitted enormously from the support of some wonderful local people who have believed in our project and given us their help. To mention just a few: Ellen Simpson, Rachel Gander and the rest of the Winchester tourism team; Barbara Large of the Winchester Writers’ Conference; Roy Gentry of the Alresford Chamber of Commerce; our printers, The Cedar Group in Romsey and finally our retailers in Alresford: Oakleaf Stationery, Caracoli, Long Barn and Laurence Oxley and One Tree Bookshop in Petersfield.  Waterstones in Winchester are also stocking our book and we are hopeful that The Watercress Line will also join our group of retailers soon.  We are already working on Binky’s second adventure and hope to get this ready for early 2012.”
 
Binky’s Big Adventure retails at £8.99 and will be available to purchase from the tourist information centre on Saturday 28 May. 
 
The tourist information centre is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays 11am to 4pm. The team can be contacted on 01962 840 500 or email tourism@winchester.gov.uk. Find out more at www.visitwinchester.co.uk, befriend ‘King Alf’ on Facebook (www.facebook.com/KingAlfWinchester) or follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/King_Alf
 
Binky also has his very own website where you can find out more about him and follow his adventures: www.binkybear.co.uk

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