The Sting in The Tale 2013

 10 Years of Storytelling in East Dorset

What a privilege to be part of this festival, on the committee and as a performer!

The highlight for me was our day of celebration at The Centre of Ancient Technology: "A Field of Stories".

This full day event was organised by myself, Graham Rogers and others from the New Forest Storytellers, in collaboration with staff and volunteers from the centre.   There was a full programme of story telling from us throughout the day, a story round, demonstrations by traditional craftspeople - woodworkers, weavers, felters, basketmakers, hands on craft for the children, food, fun, music and frivolities.  Plus we were visited by Giants and Dragons, courtesy of Wendy and Michael Dacre, and an outdoor puppet show from Hand to Mouth Theatre.

Being the middle Wednesday among other Sting Performances we were unsure of how many people would come, but come they did in 100's and the site was buzzing. If you have never been to the Ancient Technology Centre do keep and eye on their website for open days and other Storytelling events and get yourself there. Since walking across the bridge at the ATC is literally like stepping across the threshold to another world. With its five replica buildings including the nationally acclaimed storytelling venue The Earthouse, the Viking Longhouse and the Forge there was plenty of cover had it rained, but as you can see from the photos the sun shone all day long!

Inside The Earthouse

In the music industry people often release accoustic albums and I can't help drawing a comparison with that to our wonderful day. People came with their picnics, enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, soaked up story after story and enjoyed being with each other far away from modern technology, sound systems, screens and mobile phones, it literally was entertainment "Unplugged"

I am so proud to have been part of this day, having the opportunity to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Sting in the Tale and thank those behind its inception.  But most of all I loved seeing the delight on peoples faces, hearing them laugh













and for the chance to perform again in The Earthouse escorting eager listeners to faraway places in their imaginations.

If only the land could speak...

What a Setting, What a Place, What Stories have Lived Here... 

It has been such a varied and wonderful summer for me starting with a fortnight in Devon, on a campsite by the beach in Start Bay.  Such a great opportunity to be fully human, engage with others, talk face to face with strangers, tell anecdotes, yarns and hear the stories of the place and of the people.

At the pub, queuing for ice-cream, at the shop, doing the washing up at the communal sinks, waiting at the water tap. There is something about life slowing down on a campsite that allows us to breathe, things become simpler and for stories to live through being shared.

If only the land could speak... 

We often say the phrase but we forget that it is through us opening our mouths, sharing and listening to each other that those stories can be breathed into life again. It's by taking time to sit in a place, allowing our imagination to roam that the land can speak by prompting a memory or thought, or creating a new story to tell about our being there.

The best thing is it doesn't have to be just for holidays...  and that's what I love about being a storyteller.