Hampshire Storyteller on the Manor Farm and Country Park Story Trail

Early last Sunday Morning six brave but chilly families turned out with me to explore the woods of Manor Farm and Country Park to follow the Story Trail.

Yet once we set off on our adventure the children became lost in their imaginations. They didn't appear to feel the cold and with the tide full in it enhanced the story perfectly.

The Pixie Bridge to Buttercup Meadow

Our trail took us for a walk of just over 1km on trail paths, stopping at places along the way to hear the next installment.  It was a tad muddy ... to be honest, where isn't at the moment? ... but with our wellies on we jumped our way through the puddles and kept smiling. A slight flurry of snow met us at the Pixie Bridge and added to the sense of awe and magic!

The Fairy Throne Seat

With our wings and elf hats on we stood near the jetty and heard of the great moot that was held among the woodland folk at midnight till the sun rose, with the King and Queen of the Fairies holding court from their thrones.

The children were delighted at the magical appearance of the wishing tree and stopped to make their own wishes.

Then to our utter amazement nature itself joined in, a curious little Robin red breast appeared, bobbing from fence post to fence post ahead of us, leading the way up the hill to the final story location!

I can't guarantee Robin will show up again, nor will you always find me, Suzanne the Storyteller flitting through the woods but its well worth checking out the tale trail for yourself. Click the link for details  of the Manor Farm trail and at other parks around Hampshire.

Wykeham Tales- Story Telling for March in Winchester

In like a lion ... out like a lamb 

The monthly theme in the story cellar this time stems from the above saying about the month of March.

At the moment the weather is realistically more "in like a polar bear and out like a penguin" 

However, this aside - do come and join us for stories about either to The Hyde Tavern, at 8 -10pm tomorrow, 13th of March.  

This event is open to both tellers and listeners without charge, but do bring some beer money to spend in the bar.
ps. Wrap up warm - though we aim to have the fire Roaring!

Manor Farm and Country Park Story Trail

Just got back from an exciting planning meeting with the lovely Katherine Gardiner, Education Officer at Manor Farm and Country Park.

We have been scheming together to co-ordinate a fabulous guided story walk to promote the story trail booklets available for use at Country Parks around Hampshire.

The Story of the Manor Farm Fairy Folk takes you on an accessible walk around the woodland paths taking in the beautiful park surroundings whilst stimulating your children's imagination with this magical tale.

On Sunday 24th March I will be leading groups for your delight & entertainment at 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Get children in the mood by bringing your own wings, wands and fairy friends!

Click the link here: Story Trail Bookings  for more information or to make your booking call  the Farm Visitor Centre on 01489 787055

Cost per child: £5  Meet by the kiosk at Barnfield car park. Booking Essential.


Charge includes a set of 6 Story Trails at countryside sites around Hampshire. 

Each trail also has its own special bag with puppets, toys and other items that will help to bring the story to life. There is one bag for each Story Trail, so loans are subject to availability - for more information, please contact the staff at each location


https://www.facebook.com/ManorFarmCP

Storytelling for World Book Day 2013

Shirley Infants was the place to be in Southampton last Thursday for World Book Day. Staff, Children, and Storyteller alike were dressed up, full of enthusiasm, ready to celebrate the excitement of story adventures.

Each class took there turn to visit the music and drama room which I had decorated to help create a welcoming and imagination stimulating experience.



With my tales chosen to fit with recent topics and interests the children had lots of fun, and their eyes sparkled as they engaged with the stories I presented to them.

Reception children smiled and laughed at the antics of the Runaway Pancake and other farm based tales. Whilst Year 1 visualised a selection of adventures with  Princes and Brave Princesses, dragons, and giants - they were so caught up at times that they even turned around to look behind them at key moments to see the approach of new characters and scenery descriptions. I love such truly magical moments where for a time the invisible becomes visable by the suggestion of the spoken word alone.

Year 2 children explored a Wondertale together, with the opportunity to imagine and draw their own mystical creatures which I then endeavoured to incorporate into the action of the story. Their young minds created some fabulous yet scary guardians of the magic waters and many felt rightly proud to hear their ideas become part of the tale for their classmates to hear.

Teachers were impressed with their classes listening and engagement, as was I. When each set of stories finished there were contented sighs and a moment of satisfied silence while we gently landed us back in the real world!

Thank you Shirley Infants for a fabulous day, I would love to come back and see you again...

Hampshire Storytellers Celebrate a Year of Tales in Winchester

Good Cake, Good Company, Great Stories!

It may have been as as cold as it was on the 2nd Wednesday of February 2012, yet  in the cellar of the Hyde Tavern - Winchester spirits were high and the stories flowing.

It's hard to believe that we've made it to our first birthday as a story club without missing a single month, but mission accomplished! Throughout the year the humble walls of our now beloved cellar have become saturated with tales on a wide range of topics, including Animal Antics, Helpers & Heroes, Treasures & Gifts, Flaming June and Stories of Snow and Ice...

Our evening began with my telling of 'The Monkey and the Jellyfish' the first story told when the club opened in the cellar, and then we moved into tales of celebratory occasions and feasting. Among them: How Boots Fooled the King, The Three Dolls, Cape of Rushes, and The Vanishing Boy.

Also shared (between mouthfuls of cake), were personal reminiscences of listeners own Birthdays and celebrations. Most memorable being Emma's tale of a party on the beach in where well meaning villagers presented her with the choice delicacies from the Birthday feast... chicken head and feet!

To my delight our gathering brought to mind something I had forgotten for many years. At my 6th Birthday party my Father sat my guests down after tea and begin to spin a story about finding a magical tree. He left the room only to return with a small potted tree covered with lollipops. I guess storytelling is more in my blood than I had remembered - Thank you Dad for your gift of imagination.

I adore the way stories give birth to other stories and memories in our minds. It is a continual source of wonder to me and what makes such gatherings, face to face, with openness and laughter together something worth preserving and promoting. Here's to another year and more besides!

My musings on the evening would not be complete without expressing heartfelt thanks to Steph with whom I co-host 'Wykeham Tales', who bravely said "I can't believe a City like Winchester has no Story Club" and dared to dream it into being.

Thank you to Jill who came all the way up from Christchurch to tell us a story, as she did on our very first night in 2012. Also a big 'hurrah' to Janet who told her first story and was fabulous, we look forward to hearing more.

 Mike Rogers, you were sorely missed and I'll bake cake again for you in March... if anyone else wants a piece you'll have to turn up for yourself and join us.

Find out for yourself what the most friendly club in Winchester is like, March 13th gathering 7.30pm onwards in the Hyde Tavern bar for an 8pm start in the cellar.

The Show Must Go On! Storytelling Workshop With Winchester Schools Inspite of the Snow

The rain is lashing down today but what a difference a week makes! Only last Monday, whilst others watched the 'snow closures' pages of the internet last Monday willing for further snow days, I and Mrs Croker from St Faiths CE Primary, Winchester had our fingers crossed that it would be 'business as usual'.

A collaborative day to promote imagination and enthusiasm in Year 2 writer's among children from local schools had been planned and organised long in advance for that morning and we waited with baited breath to see what the weather would do...

So it was with pleasure and delight that I received the words 'school is open',and though travel took longer and the pavement slippy I arrived, set up and awaited the children...




Our story took us on an adventure to the
rainforest of the Inca people and a quest for magical water. With brothers, brave sister and helpful parrots all seeking to help the King.


Despite the excitement of their snowy weekend together with working with friends from other schools, all thoughts of ice and sledging were banished as they became captivated by the telling. The quality of listening in the room was amazing!

Part way into the story I left it at a point where the imagination could soar free and the children worked in teacher led groups to discuss,explore magical objects, and also to draw and suggest what monsters lurked as guardians of the lake.

The hall was buzzing with ideas and meaningful talk, and as I interacted with groups I gleaned suggestions to incorporate into the rest of the story when we resumed - swapping their ideas for mine, thus creating a new and unique version of the tale held within the original framework.

I think one of my favourite moments was when individual children virtually lit up, beaming with pride as they listened when they realised the monster I was describing was theirs!... using their choice of adjectives and image. Bigger than that though was the feeling of co-creation and wonder in the room that everyone's ideas were important and valid.

The teacher's were thrilled, I was thrilled and the children enthusiastic, I wish them well in their continued exploration of story making!  

A Pint of Festive Stories in Winchester

 Merry Christmas One and All!
It was a magical story night in the cellar of The Hyde Tavern this month. 

A pot of spiced cider bubbled in the corner and the room held its breath waiting for visitors to arrive and share stories and mince pies around the fireside.

Though we were few in number the warmth of heart and companionship was not diminished.  


Tales of feasting, late night and unexpected visitors, mistletoe, a masquerade ball, a juggler, a dancing cowboy & the Russian legend of Babouska framed the event beautifully.  

A huge thank you to those who told stories with me and those who listened and drew in close around the fire. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our first Christmas in this amazing venue, we hope there will be many more to come. 

Next month January 9th at 8pm we will be gathering once more for tales of Snow and Ice. Excitingly our programme of stories already including two hauntingly beautiful Russian tales to be told by Mike and Jane.  

Do join us the theme might be chilly but we hope the fire will be roaring...