National Storytelling Week 2005

Thank You's
Introduction
Invitation to Participate
Previous Years
Events
Launch Event
Resources (feedback forms, information pack, poster blank)

National Storytelling Week 2006 will run 28th January to 4th February 2006. Watch this space!

Thank You's and Invitations

Through the medium of our website could I please say thank you on behalf of all the Directors of The Society for Storytelling to everyone (SfS members an beyond) who by taking part has made this years National Storytelling a breathtaking spectacle of image vividry.

Right up until the evening of Friday 4th of Feb the phone kept ringing - putting us in contact with people wanted to tell and people who wanted to listen.

For those who left it a little let to show their talents at telling please keep in touch better still join us and share the excitement that the creative force we call The Society for Storytelling. We need more people in many areas to roll the tradition along. We need more people to create more venues and clubs through the country. Clubs where talents can be shown and honed and ars can taught the perceptions of different silences.

To the hundreds of teachers who have emailed and expressed the want and need to take part stay with us there is advise galore amongst the experience of the membership of Society that ease your way through the teaching of communications skills. Storytellers in turn can draw on your experiences in the learning of patience in learning.

To those who wish to show that they can tell stories (and that isn't as easy as it is said) Stay with us, join us and let the treasure house of the Society's store give you that opportunity by showing you where and with whom you can give the stories you want to tell great depth, colour and range.

To the great company which the community of storytellers of which the SfS is part we are starting work on next years National Storytelling Week from the afternoon of Monday 7th February 2005. The Directors of the society can be contacted at any time (within reason) by email or telephone we are there for you (see Storylines or this website). You have stood out and you've stood proud and your story is telling year by year more and more.

Unofficially at the moment the count is over 700 individual events.

Without stories there is no history - and without a vision of all time there is no telling!

To all of you be well - take strength from the reponse to all you tell - enjoy a the give and take in the sharing time of a telling.

National Storytelling Week 2006 will run 28th January to 4th February 2006.

But why wait till then - join us now!

On behalf of all the Directors of The Society for Storytelling

Del Reid (Chair)

Saturday 29 th January – Saturday 5 th February 2005

Over 600 nationwide storytelling events and performances were organised this year for National Storytelling Week in Theatres, Book Shops, Libraries, Schools, Museums, Arts Centres, Storytelling Clubs, Retirement Homes and Pubs! There was great support from BBC National radio and Local Radio Stations around the country, and also the Local and National Press. Once again the week stretched into a fortnight!

Over four hundred and fifty Schools, Libraries, Museums and Art Galleries applied for The National Storytelling Week Guide we published last year. This will be available again . Email copies will be free.

National Storytelling Week 2005 – our 5th year – will be the best yet, judging by the amount of enquiries already received and events being planned.

We know that storytelling stretches from its simplest application in the nursery right through to the personal stories and bereavement aids in hospitals, strengthening communication in the business sphere, and as an aid to learning in education. There are also professional storytellers working with prisoners.

We are informing you early because we would like to ask as many people as possible to join in the celebration of one of the oldest traditions of the world! The more diverse organisations that take part, the bigger the week will be!

Call The Society for Storytelling now for further information or if you would like to take part!

Del Reid 020 8866 4232 or Tina Bilbe 0118 9351381

This event is listed with the most comprehensive, free listing of charity awareness and fundraising campaigns www.countmeincalendar.info

Invitation to Participate

To Storytellers & Storytelling Enthusiasts.

Dear Gang,

In past years you have all in one way or another focused your attention on taking part in the events of the annual National Storytelling Week created by the Society for Storytelling.

Each year your involvement has helped the Society heighten the profile of storytelling and promote to a greater extent this oldest of experience communication forms. Each year the numbers of individuals and groups taking part have swelled – to the extent that during the period of last years National Storytelling Week and its “Coat-Tales” fringes something in the nature of 700 events took place countrywide.

The impact of last year’s National Storytelling Week has impelled the Society for Storytelling for the first time to publicly launch the 2005 event.

National Storytelling Week will be launched at the new SAGE centre in Gateshead, at noon on Friday 21st January.

What the Directors of the Society ask of you (be you School Teacher, Performer, Facilitator, Team Builder, Enthusiast whatever) is that instead of waiting until the weeks between New Year and National Storytelling Week to inform us of what you are doing please get your information to us before the end of this year.

This is so that we can, not only place the event (open or closed) up on our website but that it can be part of our presentation at the press launch. The Directors propose to have as part of the accessible information on that day, an area-by-area events calendar. In this way not only is the Society seen as promoting its aims and objectives but also every integral event of National Storytelling Week can be pointed out and given its due attention.

Del Reid
Chair of Directors
The Society for Storytelling.

National Storytelling Week 2004 - what we achieved in 2004!

Events and Writeups

Storytelling Events on and around the National Storytelling Week

If you've any events to add, please e-mail details to me at sfs@fairbruk.demon.co.uk.

Events for the week are divided into regions, and then loosely in the order of arrival in my in-tray (to avoid splitting up multi-day events). The regions are:

The week will be launched on Friday 21 January at the Sage in Gateshead. Details below in the North of England Section.

The information pack for the week is a zip file, containing

1. Background information
2. Promoting Storytelling Events
3. Storytelling in Libraries, Museums and Art Galleries
4. Using Storytellers In School
5. Advice to Teachers on Do-It-Yourself events
6. How to Prepare a Story
7. Directory of Storytellers order form
8. SfS Publications list

The material in the SfS Information Leaflet is reproduced throughout the SfS website.

For further information on the National Storytelling Week, or if you would like to take part in 2005, call Del Reid on 020 8866 4232 or 0118 9351381, or by e-mail, reidthewords@hotmail.com.

For a detailed list of other UK storytelling events look in the Storytelling Diary.

Events by Region

East Anglia

Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Sussex

Revolting Peasants

During National Storytelling Week, March Library, Cambridgeshire, will be hosting an evening in which historian and storyteller Maureen James will tell a selection of medieval tales of the indiscretions and insurrections of the lower classes (including some from Geoffrey Chaucer and Giovanni Boccaccio) interspersed with songs in a medieval style. Tuesday 1st February - March Library - 7.00pm until 8.30pm – A FREE event, for ADULTS only. Phone 01354 650586 for further details.

The Cambridge Storytellers

Our programme in Cambridge will continue for a fortnight.

Saturday 29th January 10am-4pm - Workshop: “Creation Stories” led by Peter Hilken, at Michaelhouse, Trinity St.

Sunday 29th January 8pm - Knights and Dragons, arranged by Anne French, at the Green Dragon pub in Chesterton.

Thurs 3rd February - “Oral Traditions and Contemporary Storytelling” discussion introduced by Peter Hilken, at CB2, Norfolk St.

Saturday 5th February 10am-4pm, workshop on “Reminiscing”, led by Richard Neville, at CB2, Norfolk St.

Sunday 6th February 8pm - Floor open for “Reminiscences” at CB2, Norfolk St.

Sunday 13th February 8 pm - visiting storyteller: June Peters, CB2 Norfolk St.

For more information, tel 01223 709769 or e-mail peter.hilken@ntlworld.com Best wishes, Peter Hilken

Cat Tales

Suffolk Storytellers will be doing an evening of Cat Tales at the Brewery Tap pub in aid of the Cat Protection League, on February 7th. We will also be contacting BBC Radio Suffolk to see if they want to do a feature on Storytelling Week.

Suffolk County Activities

From January 2005 I will be involved with three separate but complementary projects, all with storytelling at the heart of the activities. In most cases these will involve members of the Suffolk community telling their stories, often captured on broadcast quality, professionally edited video. These stories will be available in DVD, VHS and web formats.

The Unseen Archive
There are over 2 million photographs in the archives of the county newspaper, the East Anglian Daily Times. Funding from the County Council, EADT, and the Heritage Lottery Fund is allowing this resource to be made available. The website www.unseenarchive.co.uk will be launched on 17th January 2005. The Education Officer will then engage with pupils and older people in using the photos as a catalyst for intergenerational storytelling.

Veterans Reunited
I have applied for funding from the Big Lottery and we will hear on 15th January whether we have been successful. I am confident that we will be. If so, nearly 20 schools across the phases will engage in collecting memories and stories of civilians and veterans involved in WW2. This again will be involved the publication of these stories in both traditional and digital forms.

Unburied Voices
From February 2005 a Lottery funded project, based in West Suffolk, will start to collect peoples stories and publish these in digital forms. The theme will be changes in peoples’ lives. We will run workshops but also go to book shops, pubs, supermarkets etc to collect a range of voices.

Martin Oldfield
County Adviser for Humanities, Suffolk County Council
Martin.Oldfield@educ.suffolkcc.gov.uk
01394 386465

The Fabulists

The Fabulists, a new group of International storytellers will be working with 380 children in Harwich Primary schools in Essex from 24th Jan - 24th March on The Outsider Storytelling Project. Working with the story THE GREEN CHILDREN they aim to raise awareness of the plight of asylum- seekers and refugees coming to the UK.
ellycstuart@wildmail.com

Paul Jackson

TALKtalk
Is a series of story events based around the community within Norfolk and Suffolk. TALKtalk is a workshop for parents and children with something to say. Each particapent will be sponsored by friends and family to return from the workshop and tell a story in class.

Mon 31st Jan: Tuckswood Infants Sch; Tuckswood is one of those schools that makes more than the most of its assits. The Children there are colourful, challenging and a delight. The head, Sue Eagle, leads from the front and is very much a hands on head. She will be encourageing children and parents alike to be sponsored and to tell.  

Tues 1st Feb: Woodeane School. Infants Indian Stories Music and Dance Plus TALKtalk Workshop for Teachers

Wed & Thursday 2nd &3rd Feb: Little Bealings Primary School. One of the best Creative schools in the Country. The head, Duncan Bathgate is a real gem and encourages Storytellers, Artists, Sculpters, Poets and  Writers on a very regular basis. 
Wed: TALKtalk Twilight Workshop for Beacon Schools and Parents.
Wed Eve: The Cracking of the Bones  Story Performance at Bealings
Thursday 3rd Storytelling for Key stage 1&2 Plus TALKtalk sessions

Friday 4th Storytelling Performance Framlingham Primary School: Teachers & Parents Eve 6pm-8pm Part of a yearly Storytelling event. This year including a TALKtalk introduction.

Saturday 5th: Performance Evening on the shores of Norwich! Tha Darkest Hour 7.30pm-9.30pm

Please call Paul or MaryJane on 01692 409036 for further details or Email Pauljacksonstory@aol.com

Two performances by Wendy and Michael Dacre

'Dragon Stories and Shadow Puppet Tales'
Saturday 29th January 7.30pm £6/£4
Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex 01342 822238 www.emerson.org.uk
(Wendy is also running a workshop 'Making a Chinese Dancing Dragon' at the college on this weekend)

'The Sleepers Under the Hill - Stories and Songs'
Sunday 30th January
Hove Story Cafe
Planet Janet, 86 Church Rd, Hove (Opposite Hove Town Hall) 01273 738389
Before the performance there will be an open session for anyone wanting to tell a story or sing a song. All welome! Folk Tales! Historical Tales! Autobiographical Tales! Musicians! £5/£4

Ringsfield Christian Eco-Study Centre, Suffolk

Storytelling Ceilidh with Angela Knowles January 28th
Cost: £3 - No charge for those booked on Healing Story
An open evening event gathered around the fire. Bring your story and a small food or drink gift to help create community and warmth. Friday 8.00pm

‘Healing Story’, with Angela Knowles January 29th&30th
Tuition: £70 Accommodation: £70, Fri- Sun: £50 Sat,Sun
How do the stories we tell about ourselves help or hinder our own and others growth? What can we draw from stories of rebirth and recovery, or decline, to help on our journey towards healing in the greatest sense? For it is so often true that understanding comes in the gift of a story. In that moment we are remade. In that moment we find hope for the future. Through traditional folk tales, sacred stories, poetry and our own life experiences, we will search for these moments. By listening to stories, in taking time to reflect on what we have heard, in working with themes, alone and with others, and in allowing our souls pause, we will sift and glean the treasuries of story.

Booking essential, contact:
Ringsfield Eco-Study Centre, Ringsfield Hall, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 8JR,
Tel 01502 713020; e mail : info@ringsfield-hall.freeserve.co.uk

Ramsey Storytellers

Dates - Saturday 29 January and Saturday 5 February
Times - between 1030 and 1230
Where - Ramsey library, School lane, Ramsey, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
Tel. - 01487-812575 - Library
        014897-710363 - Ramsey Storytellers for more information.
Richard Storey, Organiser   Ramsey Storytellers

Jan Williams

Jan Williams is celebrating National week of storytelling with tales, flute music and a supper at the Sign of the Bear, Harwich on Thursday Feb.3.  Tickets cost £9.50 and must be booked in advance by ringing 01255 242628.

Maureen James, Malcolm Busby

Maureen James will be telling a wide selection of stories to pupils at Thomas Eaton Primary School, Wimblington on Friday 4th February.

Malcolm Busby will be telling ‘Tales from Cambridgeshire and the Fens’ at the March Museum Society meeting on Friday March 11th. The meeting will be held in St Peter’s Church Hall starting at 7.30pm. Admission £2.50 (Members £1.50) Refreshments included.

All the best

Maureen James B.Ed. M.A.
www.tellinghistory.com
Telling History...The Way It Should Be Told



Ireland (N & S)



Midlands

Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Huntingdonshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire

Stockwood Museum, Luton

Family Tales - Animal and Folk Stories
Sunday 30 January - Under 6's session 11.00 - 12.00; 6's - 11's 1.00 - 2.30

Enchanting story telling sessions, themed around animals and folk tales. Stories are told by a professional storyteller and followed by activities. Refreshments will be available. Session one - ages 6 and under. Session 2 - 6 to 11 year olds. Parents / guardians are to accompany their children at all times.

Admission: £1 per child. Places must be booked in advance: 01582 738714.

Tricksters & Travellers Tales - Stories for Grown-ups
Sunday 6 February - 1.30 pm to 3 pm

A traditional storyteller tells thrilling travellers' tales using the Mossman Carriage Collection for inspiration. Meet Highwaymen, tricksters and terror in stories told without books. Sessions suitable for 16 year and over. Admission: £2 per visitor. Places must be booked in advance: 01582 738714

Please contact me if you have any further queries.

Fiona Morton - Events Officer
Luton Museums Service
01583 738714, Office Days: Tues - Fri
Stockwood Museum
Farley Hill
Luton
LU1 4BH

Aylesbury Schools

I am telling stories as part of the celebrations at Bedgrove Junior School, Aylesbury.
Margie Barbour

Winter's Edge 2005

Winter's Edge 31st January to 6th February 2005, 7 days of storytelling in the medieval market town of Much Wenlock.

Terrific tellers in performance and at informal tellings around the town, featuring:-

Workshops: from puppet making to bellydancing; beginning storytelling to a 5-day residential Masterclass.

School's Workshops at William Brookes School and Much Wenlock Primary School and on street entertainment around the town- wrap up warm and enjoy Winter's Edge.

Winters's Edge Website

Northamptonshire Schools

I am spending Tuesday 1st February storytelling in Alfred Street Junior School, Rushden and the teachers are planning related activities throughout the week.

On Wednesday 2nd, I am leading a staff workshop at Ruskin Junior School, Wellingborough.

Studfall Junior School, Corby has arranged events for the following week. Chris Corps and I are among the visitors.  

  On Friday 4th Feb I will be telling in St James Infant School, Daventry.

Best wishes,
Dave Blake daga@dblake86543.fsnet.co.uk

Sandwell Library

Sandwell Library and information Service will be taking part in National Storytelling week 2005 by having Sue Andrews as Storyteller in Residence for the week of 31st January - 4th February 2005. Sue will be visiting 10 Libraries including the Mobile Library and telling stories to school children and library users. Sue, known as Stella Stories is a local Storyteller and was Storyteller in Residence in Sandwell Libraries during 2003.

Diane Edlin
Management Support Librarian - Client Groups
Sandwell Library and Information Service
Central Library
High Street
West Bromwich
B70 8DZ
Tel 0121 569 4933

Big Natter

This is the storytellers of Nottingham. We are running a "Big Natter" week for storytelling week. This will be a week when we visit as many old peoples homes and Age concern centres and tell local stories with a touch of reminisence thrown in and then invite the crowd to have a natter, with of course tea and biscuits provided. To the older generation storytelling is great and simply an extension of every day nattering and we hope to renew our accquaintance with this venerable artform.
Cheers pete davis
0115 9558054

In particular:
"We have members of the Nottingham Story Tellers here at General Store on Monday evening"
writes
Graham Knight
FairTrade Retailer
[Member of the Real Coffee Society]
+ 44 (0) 115 9692300
+ 44 (0) 7989 337207
http://www.periodlife.com

Colin King

Just to let you know about another storytellin during Storytelling Week.          I shall be telling my "Magic Suitcase" story to year 3 at Wheelwright Lane          School, Coventry on Wednesday 2nd February. 
               Colin King



North of England

Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Manchester, Merseyside, Northumberland, Westmoreland, Yorkshire

SfS at the SAGE - Society Launches National Storytelling Week from the country's newest Concert Hall in Gateshead.

National Storytelling Week is to be launched at The Sage Gateshead on Friday 21 Jan. 2005 12 noon - 2 p.m. The programmes is:

NATIONAL STORYTELLING WEEK

Launch at The Sage Gateshead

Friday 21 January 2005

in the Barbour Room

Programme

From 12 noon: Arrival and refreshments
12.15 Opening address – Martin Manasse
Society for Storytelling Treasurer
12.25 Storytelling in Education - stories that light the fire of children's imagination
Extract from school project - Presenter: Malcolm Green with children from Lindisfarne Primary School
 Malcolm Green is a storyteller and member of “A Bit Crack” North East storytellers.
12.40 Storytelling in Business - stories that lead innovation and change
Presenter: David Faulkner
David Faulkner has long experience in the relationship between Business and the Arts and is currently spokesperson for the Arts on Newcastle City Council
12.50 Storytelling in Action – stories that enchant, inspire or renew
Presenter: Shonaleigh
Shonaleigh Cumbers, based in Sheffield, has had a particular relationship with the North region through her recent work as storyteller in residence.
1.05    Closing remarks & questions – Derek Reid,
Chair, Society for Storytelling
1.20 - 2 Refreshments and photo/interview opportunities

The Sage, the newest Music and Conference centre in Britain, opens in December this year.  Its status as an exciting and prestigious conference venue is evident from the rush of bookings from national organisations to hold functions there.  The Society for Storytelling launch of National Storytelling Week at the Sage is the first stage in a campaign to raise the profile and visibility of storytelling. 
If you have any ideas to contribute to the launch or want to know more, contact Martin Manasse at martinmamasse@blueyonder.co.uk

Eden Valley Storytellers

Eden Valley Storytellers launch their own celebrations of National Storytelling Week at Rheged,Cumbria's largest visitor centre, on Sunday 30th January with two sesssions of storytelling at 11:30 and 1:30. www.rheged.com for details and directions. Other events in the Eden Valley include storytellling throughout the week at the Bluebell Bookshop, Penrith and a storytelling ceilidh. 01768 88227 or 01434 604340 for details nearer the time.

Story Chest

The East Riding Story Circle - small, select and less than a year old - is running Story Chest, an opportunity for local people to record family or regional stories, at Pocklington Art Centre during STW.

Maria Morevna and Other Stories

The Barracks, Newcastle-under-Lyme Feb 3, 8pm organised by BArts

Ironville Village Hall Feb 5, 3pm organised by Amber Valley Arts

Performer Fay Prendergast

Penny Dolan

Just to say that, on February 2nd, I will be working in two libraries in Leeds. In the morning, I'll be telling stories at Morley Library, to children from Newlands Primary School, and in the afternoon I'll be at Rothwell Library with the children from Rothwell Primary School. (Sorry, these are closed sessions.)
All the best , and happy telling to everyone,
PENNY DOLAN, Children's Writer & Storyteller
www.pennydolan.com

Word of Mouth

This is what is happening so far for NSW with Word of Mouth Storytellers, based in Manchester. Possibly more in the pipeline.

SATURDAY 29 JANUARY
The Pyramid Arts Centre, Warrington
10.15am - 11.45am
Family workshops in collaboration with dance artist Karolina Romaniszyn - Tong. Story session followed by dance workshop on collaborative theme.

MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY
Launch of storytelling project in Lymm schools to be included in Lymm Festival in July.

THURSDAY 3rd FEBRUARY
Widnes Library
2 storytelling sessions with schools
1 after-school storytelling session

SATURDAY 5th FEBRUARY
10.00am - 12 noon
Widnes Library
Family Story Workshop

1.00pm - 3.00pm
Widnes Library
Family Story Workshop

FRIDAY 4th FEBRUARY

WORD OF MOUTH ­ Keeping the oral storytelling tradition alive.

Briton's Protection Hotel, Gt Bridgewater St, Manchester, 8.00pm £4.00 (£3.00)

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!

To open our new year of storytelling magic, Word of Mouth are delighted to welcome CHERINE EL ANSARY, acclaimed Egyptian actress, storyteller and dancer. Having performed in Europe and the USA as well as throughout the Arab world, her stories draw on a huge repertoire of traditional tales, including those of the most famous storytelling marathon of all time - A Thousand Nights and One Night. Be prepared to be mezmerized!

Spend a relaxed evening in one of Manchester¹s best pubs, listening to stories brought to life by vivid imagery, creative invention, warmth and humour and allow your imagination to fly.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT HONOR GILES ON 01925 758856 or EMAIL Honor.Giles@talk21.com

Bury Metro Libraries

We will be celebrating the 5th National Storytelling Week by holding Storytimes in libraries throughout the borough. Everyone is welcome and we hope to have lots of fun. Join us at the dates and times below

Monday 31st Jan, 2 – 3pm Radcliffe Library
Wednesday 2nd Feb, 10.30 – 11.30am Bury Library
Thursday 3rd Feb, 10.45 –11.30am Prestwich Library
Friday 4th Feb, 10.30 – 11.00am Tottington Library
Friday 4th Feb, 2.30 – 3.00pm Whitefield Library

Contact Christine Almond for further details Tel: 0161 253 7561.
Email: C.Almond@bury.gov.uk

Rona Barbour

The Atrincham Storytelling Club is doing a Workshop on Sunday 23rd January from 1 - 4pm. Popular, International Storyteller, Rona Barbour will be sharing some of the secrets of her success both as a business woman and as a Storyteller. If you know that you are good at what you do, but find it hard to get repeat business, then this is the Workshop for you. The cost is £35 and there are only a couple of places left so get in touch quickly. For more details, Ring 0161 - 929 - 6580.

National Storytelling Week is a busy one for Rona and she will be working in 7 schools that week as well as 2 Libraries, all in the North West. Manchester, Altrincham, Sale, Timperley, Runcorn/Widnes, Stretford and Old Trafford. If you would like to come to see her perform at any one of these venues, please call her on the above number or email her at ronabarbour41@hotmail.com or visit the website. www.thestoryteller.co.uk

Riddings School

Riddings Infant school, Scunthorpe, have NSW as part of their annual school festival cycle. They will be having a professional story teller on Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday I will be telling and working with traditional tales and saints' stories and the children themselves will be telling a traditional tale. The children and myself will be videoed, story telling and the video sent to the school's link school in China.

I work with the school as a freelance education advisor, working with story as a way of promoting healthy emotional development and building creativity across the school.

Jenny Eades



Scotland

Angela Knowles

I shall be telling stories to 3-5 year olds and their parents, in North Lanarkshire schools during National storytelling Week followed a workshop straight after the storytelling with parents.

This forms part of a large storytelling project to encourage parents with children of nursery and P1 primary school age to tell their children stories. The project is organised by North Lanarkshire council and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Angela Knowles, Dundee



South East England (Including London)

Berkshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, London, Middlesex, Surrey

Horniman Museum, London

Starting on Friday 28th January we will be opening a new Under 5's Book Zone bringing to life our collections and exhibitions through an exciting range of books, creating a special space where families can read together.  This will be open everyday during Museum opening hours (daily from 10.30am-5.30pm) and is free.  Seating is limited.

Every Friday: Tiwe Listwe - Under 5's Storytime
Journey through stories, games, dance and songs of Africa and the Caribbean with Auntie Dee and Nzinga Dance Ensemble. Free.  Every Friday from 7th January 11-11.40am and 12-12.40pm.  Limited places.  Tickets available on the day half an hour before the start of each session.

Every Saturday: Family Storytelling - Tales from the Galleries
Watch our objects come to life through enchanting stories told by a different storyteller each week. Free.  Every Saturday from 8th January 3.30-5.00pm. Drop in.

Saturday 29th January Art & Craft Sessions - Story Frieze Creative and fun art & craft workshops inspired by the Horniman's fascinating exhibits.
11am-12.30pm for children aged 8 years and over
1.30-2.15pm and repeated at 2.45-3.30pm
Places limited - tickets available half an hour before the start of each session. Free

Debbie Guneratne and Barbara Snow are performing 'A Handful of Jewels' at the Horniman Museum on Saturday 5 February from 3.30 - 5.00pm. It is a performance of stories and songs for families. Entrance is free.

If you need any further information about these activities or the Museum please let me know. Lynne Gardiner Community Education Admin Assistant
http://www.horniman.ac.uk

"Berkshire Tales" with Fionnaghal

Friday 4th February. Tales True, Believed to be True or lost in the mists of time.

An evening of storytelling for adults at risc, London Street, Reading starting at 7.30pm Tickets £4 at the door. Details from Fionnaghal 0118 9864131 or fionnaghaltales@aol.com

risc is 5 mins from the centre of Reading and has a small car park at the rear, whose entrance is off the end of East Street

Thursday 3 Febuary. Closed Event: I will be going to the Yateley U3R (University of the Third Age) to tell stories of Love & Marriage and tell them about the sources, similar tales, etc.

31st January - Hillside School year 3/4 (closed event), Traditional Tales involving Ancient Egypt

4th February - Hillside - whole school at assembly (closed event), speaking on storytelling, own work, and that of the SfS

Lugalbanda and the Anzu Bird

Sunday 6th February (coat-tales of National Storytelling Week) at The Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road, Eltham, London, SE9

Time 7.30pm Tickets £5.00 £3.00 (concessions)

Fran Hazelton tells the Ancient Persian story of "Lugalbanda and the Anzu Bird".

Details from Tony Aylwin: Tel:020 8 467 9183

Singing Apples

The Singing Apples will be performing The Daughter of the Sun, An Italian Wonder Tale for adults and children over 12. Thursday February 3rd 7.30pm The Bournemouth Library. Bournemouth Libraries' Members £1.50, non-members £2.00. Refreshments Included. Tickets will be available from The Bournemouth Library from 4th January - 22 The Triangle Bournemouth BH2 5RQ tel 01202 454848.

Jamie Crawford of the Singing Apples will also be working with residents of St Paul's Shelter for homeless people on 1st and 2nd February. A workshop on 2nd February will build upon an evening performance by Jamie at the shelter on 1st Feb and aim to encourage residents to tell their own stories or share favourite ones with a view to creating an exhibition of stories at The Bournemouth Library later in the year. 

Bible Story House

The Agency for Jewish Education in North West London is presenting its 5th annual programme for young children  - the Bible Story House - from 26 January to 10 February 2005. Each year a different Bible Story is selected and adapted for young children, with songs and chorus, followed by activities which relate to the story and also range across the Foundation Stage of the curriculum. The programme brings together hundreds of children, with their parents and teachers, to revisit a  familar story,  see it from a new perspective and engage in exciting activities. This year's story is 'Moses in the bulrushes'.

The programme is fully booked for groups at time of writing but individuals may be able to visit. Contact avelyn@aje.org.uk.  

Kids Out

I am doing two storytelling days in Newtown School (Reading, Berks) during National Storytelling week. This is thanks to the money received from the charity "Kids Out" which gives money for activites for disadvantaged children.
Margo Cuttriss

LONDON BUBBLE STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS SPRING 2005

If you are aged 12 to adult, why not start the New Year with London Bubble, using your body, your voice and your imagination to tell stories.

Learning the art of storytelling involves polishing the necessary performance skills to tell stories brilliantly: voice projection, use of gesture, characterisation and focus.  Games and exercises will contribute to your skills development.  No experience is necessary to get involved. 

Pick up skills to tell stories through theatre - and keep people gripped and guessing until  the end.

This Specialist Skills workshop series is a combination of 1 day-long session, and 4 evening sessions.  You can come along to all 5 sessions, or drop in and out as you want - the choice is yours.   

Day long session
Saturday 22 January, 11am-4.30pm
£9 (£4)

Evening sessions
Tuesday 25 January, 6.30-8.30pm
Tuesday 1 February, 6.30-8.30pm
Tuesday 8 February, 6.30-8.30pm
Tuesday 15 February, 6.30-8.30pm
£4 (£2) per session

Tutor: Alma Simpson

Alma is the leader of the Aylwin Storytellers, who have been performing stories for the past four years at schools, festivals and locally.  The club was inspired by a visit to 'Beyond The Border' Storytelling Festival in Wales, where participants have subsequently won awards, along with two awards for Young Storyteller of the Year in Birmingham.

Sessions take place at the London Bubble, 5 Elephant Lane, London SE16 4JD.  To book in advance, please call us on 020 7237 4434 or email participate@londonbubble.org.uk.  Alternatively just come along on the day. 

Hope to see you at London Bubble soon!

www.londonbubble.org.uk

Shadow Puppets

On Friday February 4th 2005, at 6.p.m Bramantyo Prijosusilo will perform a Javanese shadow puppet play in the window of INDOSTAN, 14 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4HE.

The performance will last about an hour, a short version of the normal all night long show. The story will be Wisanggeni Gugat: The Venom Of Fire Demands The Truth.

After Arjuna defended heaven from Niwatakawaca, he was giving seven goddess' to marry while he reigned for seven years as king of heaven. When the seven years were spent and Arjuna came back to earth, he left one wife pregnant. Dewi Dersanala, The Fast Flowing Heart, was Brahma's daughter and she was deeply in love with her human husband. However, Syiwa's son, Dewasrani The God of The Nazerene, was also in love with Dersanala. He asks his mother to steal all the weapons of Arjuna and to pressure his father to order an abortion on Dersanala. Brahma tries to hide his pregnant daughter but Syiwa finds out when the baby is born and orders Brahma to kill the baby. Brahma steals the baby and bites his neck before throwing him to the sea.

In the sea the baby is found by the serpent god of the earth Antaboga and immediately becomes a grown handsome man with amazing powers. Antaboga names the foundling Wisanggeni The Venom of Fire. Wisanggeni wants to know who his parents are so Antaboga sends him to heaven. In his way to heaven he destroyes the armies of Niwatakawaca junior who is attacking heaven for revenge of his father's death. Unwittingly Wisanggeni save heaven but the gods are ashamed to tell him the truth of his origin. He beats up all the gods in heave and Brahma tells him the truth. He arrives just in time to save his mother from being forced to marry Dewasrani, The God of the Nazarene. Wisanggeni retrieves the weapons stolen from his father.

The End.

Cheers, Bram.

Pippa Reid

Musical Stories will be part of  "The Music Experience" with  Pippa Reid a weekly class for 3 - 5's and their adults at HARROW ARTS CENTRE, HATCH END, MIDDX, Thursday  3 February 1.45 - 2.30.  Booking for the  course is necessary to take part. Tel: 020 8428 0124.

Plus as part of  "The Music Experience"  I will be telling musical stories ALL WEEK in 15 Nurseries in Middlesex, Harrow, Brent and Herts.

NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY, HARROW
Pippa Reid will be doing Musical Stories for the Saturday club  4 - 9 year age group at NASH in Pinner on Saturday 29 January and Saturday 5th February.

Firegirl

On Fri 4 Feb Moby Duck will be performing "Firegirl", a storytelling-led response to the Holika story, at the Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead, at 7.30p.m.

Storyteller: Guy Hutchins
Dance: Chitraleka Bolar
Music: Praveen D Rao
Design: Craig Denston
Digital projections: Arnim Friess

For further details of this national tour, visit www.moby-duck.org

Guy Hutchins
Artistic Director
Moby Duck
0121 242 0400
www.moby-duck.org

Bernard Tagliavini @ Multistory

My activities, as part of NSW and on behalf of The Persula Foundation's National Storytelling Tour, are as follows:

Mon 31st Jan     11.00am     Elizabeth Lodge Rest Home, Gosport, Hants.  
2.00pm      The Recycled Teenagers Club, Emsworth, Hants.
Tue 1st Feb       10.45am     Reilley House Day Centre, Bexhill, East Sussex
2.00pm      Copperbeech Nursing Home, Uckfield, East Sussex
Wed 2nd Feb     10.45am     The Windle Valley Day Centre, Bagshot, Surrey  
    2.30pm      Andover Nursing Home, Andover, Hants.
Thu 3rd Feb       10.30am     The Milton Club For The Blind, Southend, Essex
     2.30pm      Milton House Residential Home, Westcliffe-On-Sea, Essex
Fri 4th Feb         2.30pm      Trinity Court Residential Home, Staplehurst, Kent
Sat 5th Feb        1.00pm      The Golden Years Club (Venue tbc)

Garden tales

Thursday 3 February; 1-3pm
Price: £3.50 per adult; £3.50 per child; siblings under 2 free.
(Please note that all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.)
Children under 7 are invited to attend a gentle introduction to the outdoors in an organised group session. Come make a story with us and enjoy the art of storytelling in the beautiful surrounding of the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens.
Limited spaces. For bookings and information, please contact: 01794 369317 and 01794 369318

Carla Thomas-Buffin, Deputy Education Officer
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Jermyn Lane, Ampfield Nr. Romsey
Hampshire, England SO51 0QA
Tel: 01794 369308
Fax: 01794 368027
VoIp: 8-795-3308
www.hilliergardens.org.uk
carla.thomas-buffin@hants.gov.uk
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9.15 a.m.-3 p.m.



South West England

Bath, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire

Grace Darling

Just to let you know I will be telling stories across Wiltshire during National Storytelling Week including a new telling of "the Grace Darling story" told in role as her father.
Best wishes
Roger Day

Root and Branch Storytelling Festival 2005

Tales of Nature from Around The World

Many of you readers will now be familiar with the name ‘Root and Branch’. This is a new horticultural therapy project for people with mental health difficulties, based at Westmill Farm, Watchfield, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 8TH

Last year ‘Root & Branch’ hosted a wonderful storytelling workshop as well as an evening of spell binding tales, which was open to all the local community. The much-enjoyed event was so successful it appeared on local TV, press and web-sites across the country.

The storytelling festival will be run again February 2nd and 3rd, 2005. This year our guest teller will be Marion Kenny, whose wonderful stories and music have literally taken her around the world, including Tai Land, Bali, China. She was recently invited to New Zealand where, for three months, she recorded myths from native Maori storytellers. She has, among a long line of famous people, entertained Prince Charles and Mel Gibson. We are very delighted she has agreed to come to R&B. February 3rd will be an exciting evening event, which is open to the general public. Tickets cost £3.50 per adult, £2.50 per child. Doors open at 7pm and will finish at 9.30pm. Refreshments will be available.

So why not come along to hear in total three professional storytellers tell magical tales from around the world? And if you have ever wanted to tell a tale of your own, bring along a short tale. We will invite members of the audience to participate in the latter part of the evening. Last year children really enjoyed getting involved, so why not make it a family night out?

For more information on the events or information concerning the work of Root & Branch, please contact Liz Clarke, Manager 01793780380 or email: info@rootandbranch.freeserve.co.uk

Otherworlds

To coincide with the launch of National Storytelling Week Fire Springs - Storytellers of Bath present
OTHERWORLDS
Tales of wonder and magic
Saturday 29th January 7.30pm
Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institute (BRSLI) Queens Square, Bath, Somerset

Tickets £5 concessions £4 (family tickets available please enquire)
01225 420683 for tickets and info.

(Fire Springs - storytellers of Bath, were formed in 2000 and have performed original sell-out shows such as Arthur's Dream and Robin of the Wildwood in the Bath Literature Festival and at other festivals and venues with their unique ecobardic blend of storytelling, poetry and music. Fire Springs are Kirsty Hartsiotis, Anthony Nanson, David Metcalfe, Kevan Manwaring & Richard Selby.)

Bath Storytelling Circle

New Year! New Venue! New Date!
Coinciding with National Storytelling Week the story circle is relocating and relaunching on Monday January 31st 2005 7.30pm for 8pm start, Free

A relaxing & entertaining evening in the convivial surroundings of the Colony Room of the Green Park Tavern, Lower Bristol Rd. (5 minutes from Bath Spa bus & train station) Stories, songs & poems welcome (performed, not read – supported the oral tradition). Arrive early for a slot or simply sit back with a drink, listen & enjoy!
Story Circle Info: 01225 334204
Green Park Tavern: 01225 400050
NB Last Monday of the Month from now on.

SOFT CABARET

On 26th Jan , at The Lansdown, Clifton Road, Clifton , Bristol, (2nd road to the left after the big student building if going up hill). 8pm. 3pounds. New, monthly evening of stories, stand-up, sketches, spontaneity, sonnets and songs&.with teller Darren Hoskins and a variety of his performing friends. TEL.07817008267

Watery Tales, Splish Splash

Join us at the National Waterways Museum in Gloucester on Saturday 5th February for a day of storytelling to celebrate National Storytelling Week. 

Water Worlds, 2-3 pm

Kirsty Hartsiotis and Kevan Manwaring from the Bath-based storytelling group Fire Springs will be telling tales from the riverbank to the sea - searching for luck down wells, sailing up the Nile and finding the source of the Severn .

Stories suitable for adults and older children.  

Splish Splash 11-11.30 am and 3.30-4 pm

Wet and wacky tales for younger children with a mix of traditional fairy tales and nature stories.

National Waterways Museum, Llanthony Warehouse, Gloucester Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2EH

For tickets please phone us on: 01452 318200

For more information please ask for Kirsty Hartsiotis, Collections Assistant

Telling the Greek Myths

Anthony Nanson

The Othona Community

Friday 4th – Monday 7th February

After a year away in the myth-soaked landscape of Greece, storyteller and writer Anthony Nanson returns to Othona to lead a workshop exploring the practical skills of storytelling and the relevance today of the ancient myths. 

The Othona Community is on the unspoilt coastline near Bridport, West Dorset and overlooks Chesil Beach.

The cost of the weekend for full board is £85 or £62 concessionary, with a £20 course fee.  Spaces are limited.

To book, please contact Othona Community on 01308 897130 or mail@othona-bb.org.uk or visit www.othona-bb.org.uk

Othona is an open Christian community offering retreats, workshops, holidays etc. and welcoming people of all faiths and none.

Anthony Nanson 75 Belle Vue Road Stroud GL5 1PY England 01453 751072

ONCE UPON A TIME, STORYTELLING SKILLS FOR ALL

INSPIRED by National Storytelling Week?

FIRE your imagination and FUEL your spontaneity at ONCE UPON A TIME, STORYTELLING SKILLS FOR ALL

Friday 4 to Sunday 6 February 2005

Broadway in the heart of the Cotswolds (Gloucs/Worcs border)

   A weekend introduction to storytelling, designed to free your fluency and do wonders for your confidence in front of an audience.

   Led by Karen-Eve and Chloe of the Midnight Storytellers.  Offering between them some 20 years of training/coaching experience, their style is warm and lively, their enthusiasm engages and supports students.

   The atmosphere is relaxed and non-competitive, the view from Farncombe Estate over the Vale of Evesham is inspiring! 

You'll work with a fascinating range of material: traditional tales from around the world, perhaps ghost stories, perhaps family anecdotes.  Individual and collective exercises encourage flexibility and creativity ? discover your own way of telling a story.

FULL DETAILS AND PRICES from 0845 230 8590 and visit www.FarncombeEstate.co.uk

DISCOUNT £50 OFF for 2 places booked by 14 January 05
DISCOUNT £15 for 1 place booked by 14 January 05

For more about Midnight Storytellers please visit www.midnightstorytellers.co.uk

Somerset Story Circle

The Somerset Story Circle are peforming on Sat. 5th Feb. at the Rural Life Museum, Chilkwell St. Glastonbury for National Sorytelling Week. Free performances at 14.00 and 15.00

BRISTOL OLD VIC: READ A MILLION WORDS

Kids get Creative in Bristol for National Storytelling Week

Read A Million Words and Bristol Old Vic have teamed up this National Storytelling Week to provide a series of creative theatre workshops for three Bristol Schools based around the books The BFG and Fantastic Mr Fox, both by much-loved children’s author Roald Dahl. Workshops will take place on Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd February at Bristol Old Vic from 9:30am –11:00am.

Youngsters will work with acclaimed Bristol storyteller Martin Maudsley, who leads Bristol Old Vic’s Under-Fives sessions and works extensively with Travelling Light Theatre Company. He also designs and runs storytelling workshops for schools, visitor centres, community groups and national organisations, where participants learn to develop their own creativity through making and telling stories. Bristol Old Vic’s Director of Education, Gill Foreman said:

‘Read a Million Words has sparked young people’s enthusiasm for reading in a big way. Through the storytelling expertise of Martin Maudsley, we are getting children on their feet, creating and developing their own worlds from these fantastically rich stories.’

The event is part of Bristol’s Read a Million Words project. Launched in October, it has challenged local children to read a million words in a year. It has the backing of a number of local companies, all keen to help boost local literacy standards. Project Manager Jenny Perez said:

‘We are really excited to be working with Bristol Old Vic to provide these creative workshops for National Storytelling Week. Getting youngsters into the theatre, working with texts, developing scripts and firing their imagination with reading is what the project is all about.’

Read a Million Words is exclusive to Bristol with 40,000 children in 145 local schools having signed up to the challenge. Read a Million Words is supported by Bristol City Council and GWR FM, endorsed by The National Literacy Trust and The Basic Skills Agency.

Photo Opportunity:
The first workshop will take place on
Tuesday 1 February, Bristol Old Vic, King Street at 10am with Martin Maudsley and children from St George Primary School.

For further information please call Read a Million Words Events & PR Co-ordinator
Melissa Thom on 0117 900 5388 or email: melissa_thom@bristol-city.gov.uk

Notes for editors:
Read a Million Words, GWR FM, PO Box 2000, 1 Passage Street, Bristol, BS99 7SN. www.readamillionwords.org.uk. Registered Charity Number 1102999



Wales

RUTHIN GAOL

RUTHIN GAOL, 46 Clwyd Street, Ruthin, LL15 1HP
Saturday 29th January 2005 11 am - 4pm "Potato Pete in Gaol" In celebration of National Storytelling Week and National Potato Day, come and take part in a day of activities dedicated to the humble potato - including storytelling!
Free event with normal Gaol admission ticket

Saturday 5th February 2005 10am - 4pm "Stories in Gaol" Come along and hear stories in the spooky atmosphere of Ruthin Gaol. Three sessions throughout the day.
Free event with normal admission ticket

RUTHIN GAOL, 46 Clwyd Street, Ruthin, LL15 1HP
The Gaol is open daily 10am - 5pm, closed Mondays November to March.
Adults £3; children £2; senior citizens £2; family £8
Tel: 01824 708281
http://www.ruthingaol.co.uk
Debbie Snow
Carchar Rhuthun / Castell Dinbych
Ruthin Gaol / Denbigh Castle

In Search of Myths and Heroes

From friday 4th of February at 9.00pm on BBC2 ( he must have knownit was National Storytelling Week) Michael Woods is "In Search of Myths and Heroes".

This is a four part series in Which Michael Woods looks at the origins of four traditional stories from different cultures and how travel, time and translation across cultures has changed their telling.

Friday 4th Feb The Queen of Sheba on subsequent Fridays King Arthur, Jason and he Golden Fleece, Shangri-la or Shammbhala as it was at origin.



Overseas



Resources

Please help the SfS  to evidence and evaluate the nature of the huge range and extent of events during National Storytelling Week 2005, to champion the case for supporting and funding storytelling in this country.

We are asking all storytellers and promotors/bookers to complete an evaluation form for each event held during NSW.

Promoters/Bookers form (MS Word, 61k)

Tellers form (MS Word, 62k)

It is very important for the SfS to have an indication of the size of the audience we are reaching during National Storytelling Week- the proportions of adults and children, the ethnicity and special needs, the different kinds of settings. We need to have an indication of how people are accessing storytellers, and how much funding storytelling attracts into the art form. We hope that you do not find our questions too intrusive. Any personal information will be kept confidential. This information will be collated and made available on the SfS website (www.sfs.org.uk) so that everyone may refer to it when needing to provide evidence for funding bids for storytelling events. We would be very grateful if you could complete the form at the end of National Storytelling Week, for each storytelling event that you told at or held. If you are storytelling at an event, please please give the person who booked you a copy of the promoter's/bookers evalaution form, explain why it is important to get their feedback and ask them to complete it.

It should only take a few minutes, and will be extremely valuable.

As a thank you for your cooperation, all returned forms will be entered into a draw and one person will win a £20 book-token.  All your comments and feedback are very important to us.  Thank you.

If you have any questions about this evalauation, please contact Janet Dowling at jadowling@aol.com

National Storytelling Week Information Pack zip file

Poster blank for your events (PDF format. WARNING 2,175Kb)

Society for Storytelling Home Page

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