Hampshire Storyteller Climbs Mountains

Taking a week out from my storytelling diary I headed North to the beautiful Lake District and found myself with my head in the clouds and feet in the occasional snow patch.

Never again will I prepare a tale that involves going up a mountain without feeling the pack on my back, the pull of my leg muscles nor the mixed feelings of determination and exhilaration of climbing Bow Fell.

Each step on the rocky paths formed part of a slowly unfolding story, a personal journey with its trials, shifts in emotion and changing weather. Together with meeting strangers on the way and that feeling of reaching the summit only to see another piece of the mountain waiting round the corner - its the stuff Wonder Tales are made of!

Then there it is at last... the view from the top... and everything shifts and changes,a glimpse of something magical and a sense of achievement welling up that makes you see the trials of the 'up' differently.

The way back down is still tricky (and not without new challenges) but a transformation has occurred, new strength and confidence arises and you find yourself striding out again ready to take on the world.

A celebration or feast at the end of the tale? Well on this particular Friday it took the form of a welcome pint of local ale at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Pub in glorious sunshine with my boots kicked off, swapping yarns and experiences with fellow walkers.

It would have been a perfect place to 'tell a story' I thought walking back to our car. 

However as I glanced back over my shoulder to the pub garden I looked fondly at eclectic group of hikers continue chatting, gesturing in full flow... 

We had, and were...

         the stories of the Langdale Valley...

A Great Night Out in Winchester Indeed!

As we packed away last night and turned off the lights, I couldn't help whispering thanks to the cellar itself for containing such a wonderful evening. Every month the room is seems more and more cozy (thanks to Jan's ongoing renovations), and with its walls fast becoming saturated with spoken stories, laughter and friendship each night there feels like being welcomed home....


We started with a range of shared personal experiences of heroes and helpers, including pigeon rescues, a witness account of watching a child saved from drowning, childhood crushes, to chance meetings with people who helped and encouraged us. Then we moved on into other longer stories of a forest saved by a determined parrot, a mothers love for her war hero son, the wonder tales - Mother Hollie, and The Frog Princess - a Russian fairy tale, a camel who longed to dance and a yarn about Irish Hero - Finn McCool. Thank you tellers!



My special thanks this month go to first time tellers Kevin, who told us the folk tale told of how a plum tree came to grow in the garden of the poet John Clare, and Edward who told us of the very first game of hide and seek ever played by the virtues and vices.


It never ceases to amaze me how an eclectic group of people, male, female, older or younger can find such warm fellowship for the night over a drink and an evening of storytelling - magic!


If you want to check it out for yourself, then join us at the Hyde Tavern next month May 9th in the best pub cellar in the South...

A Great Night Out in Winchester

Stories of Helpers and Heroes 

April 11th at the Hyde Tavern Winchester, with Wykeham Tales and a Pint of Stories!

Come down to the cellar at 8pm to hear tales of challenges, quests and transformations!


Ever found unexpected help comes just when you need it most?  Have you been inspired by particular people or acts of bravery?     Gossip and share your own stories with us over a drink or two then sit back comfortably to listen and adventure far in your imagination. You'll be amazed how one story prompts another in your mind...
















Ps. If you've been practising a spoken tale to tell let us know when you arrive and we'll aim to fit you in the program!