RAMBLING AROUND THE ISLES PROJECT

“Rambling Around the Isles” is aiming to bring storytellers steeped in oral tradition to Calderdale from all corners of the British Isles.

We have funding from Arts Council England to bring 5 Professional Storytellers from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England over the next 6 months to run workshops at Calderdale Community Centres and perform traditional stories at the Storytelling Club at The Stubbing Wharf in Hebden Bridge (view our “What's On” section” for performance dates / details ).

The aim of the project is to demonstrate the value of the British Oral Tradition and to inspire Community Groups to collect and tell their own stories. Alongside this, volunteers from the Shaggy Dog Storytellers Club will shadow and learn from these indigenous storytellers and aim to improve their skills and seek ways to follow up the work started.

 

TODMORDEN TOUCHWOOD

Todmorden is just like any other English town. It's a town with its own unique history. Everybody in the town has their own story. Many are stories about being or feeling different.

The Shaggy Dog Storytellers "Todmorden Touchwood" project aims to collect some of those stories from the various communities that make up Todmorden. Working with professional storytellers, poets, graphic artists and others, the intention is to preserve and present them in a manner interesting to all.

 

STORYTELLER IN RESIDENCE PILOT PROJECT

We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded £4970 from Awards for All (Lottery Grant for Local People) to conduct a pilot project to explore the interest and need for a community storyteller in residence in Calderdale.

Two professional storytellers Shonaleigh and Peter Chand visited community centres and ethnic minority groups around Calderdale in February and March to perform and discuss the potential for a storyteller in residence.

The project was evaluated and culminated in two separate performances at The Stubbing Wharf Public House in Hebden Bridge. Peter Chand performed on Friday 23rd February at 8pm and Shonaleigh on Friday 27th April 2007.

Community Centre members were given free tickets to attend these performances.

Peter Chand, British Indian Storyteller made visits to community centres in Halifax, Brighouse and Todmorden during the period 29th January to 1st February 2007. Peter led "taster" storytelling sessions at venues including the Acorn Centre in Todmorden, Raven Street Youth Club in Halifax and Aire Street Youth Club in Brighouse.

Quotes from Raven Street Youth Club:

"Just this way he was telling us the story's, he made them really interesting and I really enjoyed listening to them." Mohammed

"Most felt it was a good experience, the story was engaging and we had a good laugh." Naj

"I would love to do some storytelling myself because its quite interesting and also you get to share your own family stories with the people around the place." Mohammed

Peter Chand will be returning to Calderdale in mid March for two days and again in late April for three days. Shonaleigh will be visting in May.

If your community group wants to be involved in this project contact us:

postmaster@shaggydogstorytellers.com

Watch this space for project updates!