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... 

Memories are made of this...

Don't forget, this Wednesday, 14th Novemember @8pm, stories and reminiscences on the theme of 'Remember' 


Come along and join us in the cellar
 of the Hyde Tavern Pub, Winchester.
  
Create yourself a new memory that is more colourful than this grey November drizzle.



Lend us your ears, imagination and memories to weave a bespoke evening of tales, a night you won't forget!
  

Storytelling Workshop with Havant Early Learning Partnership

Just a few photos from the amazing day I had yesterday with the HELP project, at Sharps Copse Children's Centre.  I was excited to deliver a workshop to a local cluster of Preschool and Foundation Stage Staff, exploring the true magic of Stories and Storytelling to develop language, literacy and creativity in young children. 

My aim was to enthuse, re-enchant and explore how sharing tales meets children where they are, strengthens and enhances both communication and relationships. You are never "Just telling a story?". 

There was laughter, colour, songs, stories, objects, fabrics and buckets of enthusiasm as I took people through how many of the early years curriculum objectives can be met with 'story' and shared techniques, hints and tips.   Time flew and the air was humming, as people gleaned ideas, remembered and validated how to turn storytime into a main event rather than an extra, or time filler! 

From the questions and feedback at the end of the session, I went home confident that the local children would reap the benefit and my mission for the day had been accomplished!

What's on in the New Forest Tomorrow?

Stories on the farm have been going down extremely well at Beaulieu today as part of at the Out of Town Centre open day "The Countryside on Show".  

It was my first visit to this fantastic centre, run by the Countryside Education Trust, the air was full of the sights, sound and smells of a wide variety goats, horses, chickens, pigs... and alive with the thrum of activity.

As Taprisha and I set up among the hay bales in the barn we were inspected by a wandering flock of white geese, who also waddled by at other times - including while I told of Goosey Loosey and Chicken Licken.  With our stage set including welcoming flags to attract attention and woodland animal toys nestled among the straw, we were ready for our audiences.

And what lovely audiences they were! Lots of smiling faces and giggles, lots of joining with key phrases in familiar favourite tales and singing along with songs and ditties in new ones.

  "And he huffed and he puffed and he..."  
           
  "Can't catch me I'm the ...." 


It was great to see families enjoying their time listening together, and with encouragement even those without kids in tow found themselves being drawn to the barn to listen.

Amelia and Lacey's story fun was made all the more complete when they won a cuddly owl in our raffle - don't they look proud!

Big Smiles from the Raffle Winners

Next Raffle Prize:
This Lovely Badger

The best news is that if you missed out today, then the fun continues tomorrow with pony rides, meet the animals, goat milking, mud oven pizza making, falconry, woodworking, tasty speciality burgers and of course more STORYTELLING! 

Hope to see you there perhaps - it's a great setting and a wonderful day out, click the links above to find out more.  

ps. It stayed dry but wellies are a very good idea!

Storytelling with Year 4

This week I spent an afternoon taking children adventuring in the rain forest and climbing mountains in South America with courageous parrots saving the day in both stories.

90 children and me were squished into a Year 4 classroom but together we travelled great distances in our imaginations.

I had a fantastic time and so did the children who were lost deep in the images - even looking behind them to see the approaching storm clouds and mountain tops - fabulous.

Thank you Springhill Catholic Primary, I enjoyed being part of your book week, I hope you invite me back again soon!

Warm up your imagination in Winchester

Golden light is turning grey, Mists begin to rule the day...

This month the theme at our Winchester Story night is Autumn, Mists and Mysteries.  

Come and join us, deep in the depths of the Hyde Tavern Cellar and enter in to the world of your imagination. 

Discover some of the secrets of the Lincolnshire Carrs told by Mike Rogers (the very first story I heard him tell!) and help me unlock an old folk tale of 'The Key Flower'. Hear further tales or personal stories from myself, Steph and other regulars, and maybe even contribute a memory or two yourself.

All are welcome, we gather in the bar from 7.30pm onwards and descend to our cosy telling space at 8pm -10pm (with a top up and comfort break in the middle). Hope to see you there!

Off to visit the Forest Row Festival...

It may be the weekend, but this Friday will see me heading back to school-  not just any school though but The International School of Storytelling! 

I can hardly believe a whole year has passed since I was there studying on their full time course "The Heart and Craft of the Storyteller", and now another cohort of budding tellers have started their adventure...

As part of the festival I will have opportunities to hear both familiar colleagues and new voices telling stories in many different settings and contexts,including stories for children by the hearth in a home, a village hall and on storywalks. 

The icing on the cake will be an evening performance by Rachel Rose Reid in the College's Story Hut. The place that became my home for those 3 months, filled with laughter, stories, music and friendship, and many performances

It will be a wonderful weekend of nostalgia, walking the woods, new tales,  networking, and a chance to spend quality time browsing the School's library shelves. 

I'm really looking forward to it, I only hope the weather is kind since I will be sleeping in my tent!