One of our oldest traditions is that of storytelling. It is our way of conveying important truths about life to future generations and our way of entertaining ourselves in the dark winter nights. All cultures have their own stories and yet across the cultures there are recurring themes about how the world was made, of wicked step parents, of giants and monsters. Storytelling is a living, growing tradition, as more and more people rediscover the plesaure of both listening to and telling stories.

Linda came to storytelling when she went to story rounds and workshops at Sidmouth Folk Festival. She discovered that she could tell stories and that she really enjoyed it. Since nervously telling her first story at Sidmouth she has now told stories for a variety of audiences, ranging from school children in schools, WI groups and a Halloween event in the local inn.

Linda and her husband Tony often work together in planning and presenting their programmes. These may include music on flute and harp. Events so far include:

National Media Museum, Bradford: telling stories for the opening launch of the Tony Ray Jones photographic retrospective exhibition. (October 2004)

Guy Fawkes Night at East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley. (National Trust). A story performance blending the Guy Fawkes plot with wedding preparations in the Hall of the time.

Story telling in North York Moors National Park Centre.

Storytelling at Hutton-le-Hole Folk Museum.

STORYTELLING IN SCHOOLS

Linda and Tony have worked together telling a variety of multicultural stories in five schools in East Yorkshire as part of their global education programme. Stories from Indonesia, South America, Europe and North American Indian traditions were matched to the age group. Each class then worked on one story, presenting it to the rest of the school at the end of the day.

Other work in schools includes telling Egyptian and Viking stories, stories with a strong moral thread, a Tudor dance workshop, and after school sessions on dance and music making

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Linda is acting as promoter for The Traditional Arts Team's Storytelling Cafe Tour in 2008. More information about the artists performing in these events can be found on their website.

The following events will take place in Wass Village Hall. All starting at 7.30pm.

Saturday March 8th: Clare Murphy and Diarmuid O'Drisceoil, two of Ireland's new wave of storytellers, telling stories from the Irish and Gaelic tradition.

Wednesday June 11th: Robin Williamson, telling stories and playing his harp in his inimitable style with his 'Gems of Celtic Story'.

Saturday November 8th: Mats Rehnman from Sweden, telling life stories and traditional stories of Scandinavian mythology and Sami folklore.

Admission £5.00 (If you are interested in a family ticket, please contact Linda for a concessionary price.) Tickets can be ordered via the contact form on the home page or by telephone on 01347 868703. Limited access for disabled people.

Refreshments will be available.

Storytelling CDs

Linda has so far made one storytelling CD

"Stories with a Touch of Magic." A collection of stories from a variety of countries all with a touch of magic in them, including Brother Jucundus (York) Urashima Taro (Japan) and The Black Prince (Egypt)

She is currently researching stories for a CD of stories from the North York Moors, whiich is an area rich in myths and legends of all kinds. Hopefully this will be available by summer 2008.

Price of CD £9.20 (inc p & p) Please order via the contact form on the home page.

To listen to a short sample of a story from the CD click here.