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.

Hampshire Storyteller turns Pirate

With plenty of Yar-Aah and Yo-Ho I was delighted to unleash my debut performance of Pirates Aboard on the landlubbers of Romsey Primary School.

Children from Sunhill Juniors, Arlesford, had a sneak preview of one of the tales at their annual Story night the week before, but the interweaving of two entertaining and exaggerated salty yarns with sing along songs, props, and interactive sound effects into a full length performance went down a storm.


The project, crafted on request to fit the schools themed Pirate day, was a huge hit and youngsters and teachers sat wide eyed and eager to hear the stories unfold.

Though purely fictional and at times fantastical, my pirate stories give a flavour of all that is fondly attributed to these bunch of ruffians. With plenty of piratical vocabulary, treasure islands and predictable elements, all washed down with a tot of the magical make for a wonderful voyage on the seas of the imagination.

Summer in the New Forest!

What a difference a week can make!

With the children back at school for their final stint of the year and the sun blazing at last it might be easy to forget the wild and windy weather at Hordle Walhampton's Summer Fete.

But though the wind buffeted our tent of tales, its banners and flags waved wildly inviting children in for sessions of stories and adventures in their imagination.

Throughout the afternoon groups of children attended age matched performances in the cozy decorated space, it was the best place to be and not only because it was out of the weather!

With wide eyes they journeyed to muddy farmyards, enchanted woods, African plains, across seas and home to castles in time for tea.

I am looking forward to returning to this charming school in Lymmington for more next year, but perhaps with a bigger tent so Parents and Grandparents can listen too!

What's Hot in Dorset this Summer!!

 The Sting in the Tale Festival 2013

It's that time of year again, half term is not yet done but people's thoughts turn already to what might be fun to book for the summer holiday period.

Well Story Lovers, the Committee for Sting in the Tale have been busy putting together a fantastic programme of Story Performances around venues in East Dorset during August for such wonderings as these.  Make sure you check out the website HERE for details or find them on Facebook.

I'm really excited about my involvement this year, particularly telling at the amazing ATC in Cranborne for A Field of Stories on  August 21st, I will post more details at a later date, the site is amazing in it's own right but couple that with performance storytelling , puppets, music, crafts,workshops and hopefully sunshine makes it well worth putting in your diaries.

I have also been enjoying a week of story posting on facebook, telling the story of "The Key Flower" for people to share and tell to others by installment each day.   I'm looking forward to making it into a short video telling to go on the site too, when a bit of good weather and a suitable hillside come my way!

Keep your eyes open for further updates and spread the word, it will be a wonderful summer of stories...

Help for Heroes

What an amazing evening I had, telling stories with CoCo P and colleague Steph from Wykeham Tales to celebrate May Day at Tedworth,Wiltshire.


When we reached Tedworth and walked in the magnificent entrance we felt our spirits lift and any initial apprehensions
vanished.  The atmosphere in the place was positively alive, with stress on the word  positive. It was going to be a night to remember!

Steph and I were given a short tour of the open parts of the building including a viewing of the amazing sport therapy areas and gymnasium in the aptly named Phoenix Centre. The grounds themselves were stunning with areas dedicated for recreation and work plots for 'growing their own'. It was here out in the gardens we discovered the barbecue and fire pit being lit, the band tuning up, and visiting Chelsea Pensioners mixing with current service men residents and whizzing about on Segways!

As we mingled and chatted people were intrigued as to who we were, what we did and what stories we would be telling.  Sitting to eat  amongst some of the most newly arrived solidiers we were soon joined by Dave, who revealed himself to be one of the
youngest Chelsea Pensioners present and Performance Poet!


When the sun started to set and the band finished playing, people progressed round to a drumming workshop led by another artist. We all made quite a rumpus, which if not strictly a beautiful noise, was pleasingly rhythmic and it was good to see people relax and laugh freely as they explored using the djembes and other percussion.

Steph N-Smith telling
'The man who lost his luck'

And then it was our turn to entertain, it had got quite late but thankfully there was still time for a tale each. I chose to share an autobiographical story about visiting a hospital as a child and then years later as a patient.  I had faith that it was the right story for those listening and in such a place where lives are helped to be put back together, its lived out message of hope was well received. Steph and I were particularly heart warmed that one of the soldiers felt prompted to read a poem to his colleagues, our stories had done their work and invited others aboard...

We were sad to leave that evening, the place seemed so vibrant, and we had rubbed shoulders and imaginations with those who were relearning to value being fully alive.

Wykeham Tales salutes both the staff and soldiers at Tedworth House and looks forward to a return visit soon.  Click here to watch and  find out what amazing help they offer our forces and please support them if you can when you next see a Help for Heroes collection or event.

April Adventures

It has seemed a quiet month here on my website, though in reality has been anything but.
A whirl of stories, friends, visits, planning future events and learning new tales has kept me out of mischief. However the two most contrasting Hi-lights to mention have been:

Cozy warmth in the cellar!

The warmest welcome ever for Wykeham Tales in the Hyde Tavern Cellar, thanks to the borrowed Chiminea from my friend Mandy. The hiss, crackle and occasional roar of the flames accompanying our stories of Awakenings and Transformations. I loved the opportunity to tell a favourite tale "The Speedy Messenger" in this very special location, among true story lovers... magic!

"It was bedtime..."

vs: Telling chilling stories of a darker nature atThe Hub in Verwood, for a night of Ghost stories with The New Forest Storytellers.Each of us told a tale in different style and setting, enhanced with atmospheric live music from Gill Redmond, Graham and Pete. With theatrical lighting and an occasional puff from the smoke machine, it was an exciting venue to perform in and made a great evening out. However, my adaptation of 'The Sandman' had one or two of the audience checking under their beds before bedtime and listening out for noises on the stairs!

As May beckons I am excited by the amazing opportunities that are already planned, and eagerly await what else the month has in store...

"Such pretty pretty eyes..."

Dates for Your Diary:

8th April Wykeham Tales 8pm at The Hyde Tavern
  "Wishing and Maybe's"

16th May  New Forest Storytellers 8pm, at The Boston Tea Party Cafe, Ringwood. "Across the Seas and Over the Hills"