Storytelling is an age-old tradition. Traditional stories passed down through the generations include folk tales, fairy tales, myths, epics and stories of how it all began. Part of the craft of good storytelling is to really get into the heart of a story, honour the community and the place it has come from, and bring it alive in ways that directly connect with the people listening in the here and now.
We all need magic and inspiration, desperately so in these difficult times, and many traditional stories lie at the roots of our beliefs and our journeys. Whether you are two years old or a hundred and two, there’s something heartening about sharing in a good tale. Stories can offer a flash of inspiration, a whole load of belly-laughs, a hero’s journey or a new way of looking at life.
Here are some of the ways I work with story. Contact me for bookings and more information. See ‘Performance’ for more detail of my performance storytelling work.
Storytelling at events
I tell stories for all ages at public and private events, and I can tailor storytelling sessions to meet your requirements.
I have told stories at Beyond the Border, Festival at the Edge, the Oxford Storytelling Festival, WOMAD, SEED festival, the Westcountry Storytelling Festival, Devon County Show and Respect festival; stories for Three Acres and a Cow, Dartmoor National Park, RSPB, Devon Wildlife Trust, Dartington, Sharpham, Dartmoor’s Daughter and Totnes Transition; work with the Red Alachigh, of which I am a founder member; and plenty more.
‘Extraordinary, a cliff hanger, you didn’t know what would happen next.’ Neve aged 9
Workshops
I run one-day storytelling workshops for beginners and experienced tellers alike. They explore different aspects of story and how we connect with them, and develop storytelling skills and confidence. I’ve used my own experience in storytelling to develop activities which are useful, practical, thought-provoking and fun.
Contact me for details of workshops coming up.
“Excellent balance of listening, learning and telling.”
Storytelling with schools and family groups
I have a wide repertoire of storytelling, walks and activities for schools and family groups of all ages, in the classroom and outdoors. Recent work includes the major schools project A Voice to Tell Our Story with Beaford, University of South Wales and ten primary schools in north Devon, linking with curriculum topics, literacy and imagination; the Hidden Histories project with Beaford Arts and Devon Wildlife Trust on community trails; and a creative arts and drama project using Russian fairy tale, with Courage Copse Creatives and Forches Cross Primary School.
“A wonderful afternoon – it really enhanced the children’s learning….you kept the children captivated and involved throughout. They thoroughly enjoyed it.” Hatherleigh Primary School
Story clubs
I run two informal story clubs in Devon: South Devon Storytellers, based in Totnes (together with Ronnie Conboy) and Dartmoor Storytellers, based in Chagford. Both groups are an opportunity for anyone to try their hand at storytelling, with a combination of longer performance story and short 10-minute story sharing. We’re a friendly bunch and it’s a great place to gain confidence in storytelling, and get feedback. Or: just come along to listen to stories!
South Devon Storytellers meets on the second Tuesday evening of every month, 7.30pm at Bogan House, High Street, Totnes TQ9. You can find out more on the group’s Facebook page here.
Dartmoor Storytellers has started again! We meet on the first Wednesday of every month at the Chagford Inn, Chagford, 8pm, and also hold occasional performance storytelling nights in Chagford and around the moor. You can find out more on the group’s Facebook page here.
“a delicious feast of tales, and such a lovely gang of people too…”