The Martineau Gardens Storytelling Festival is taking place on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June. Here’s a sneak preview of all that is planned. (Tickets are available on the gate, to find out more click here.)
Friday 22 June – Evening (gate opens 5.30pm)
Secret Stories of the Woods –(6.30pm – 7.30pm) from Storyteller Studio.
The trees have stories to tell – hear of Merlin’s magic; a bold knight; bewitched maidens. Roam the Gardens and find the storytellers who will intrigue and enchant you. And make some unusual jewellery
Storytelling Concert in the Marquee (8pm – 10pm)
Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight
Remember King Arthur? Well Gawaine was one of his star knights, a great guy, always ready to stand up and be counted. But with the Green Knight he may have met his match. Told by Graham Langley, accompanied by Pam Bishop
(15-20 minute interval)
Stories from the Rainforest
Told by Ana Marie Lines, accompanied by Mark Magoo Robertson
Saturday 23 June – Morning & Afternoon (gate opens 10 am)
From 10am until 5.30pm, a wide selection of events during the day including Storytelling in the Marquee, the Yurt, the Bell Tent and around the Pirate Ship, visit the Earth oven to feast on food and stories. Teddy Bear’s Picnic for the under 5’s at teatime plus all day craft making, craft stalls and plants for sale
A Tangled Web (Pirate Ship, 10.30am) from Graham Langley & Pam Bishop
Traditional stories, songs and music to set the festival off to a bright start – but expect some surprises along the way!
Interactive Storytelling (Marquee, 10.30am) Catriona Heatherington
Learn to tell an ancient legend together using English, Urdu and plenty of action. Have fun and liven up your Saturday morning.
Sun and Rain, Wind and Weather (Yurt, 10.30am) from Cath Edwards (especially for under 5’s)
A new way of enjoying the English weather. Interactive stories, songs and rhymes celebrating the fun of being outdoors.
Fearsome stories for Fearless Families, (Bell Tent, 11.30am & Yurt 3.30pm) from Belinda McKenna
Stories full of witches, ghosts and things that lurk in the night.
Stories for Grown-ups – from Malcolm Speake (Yurt, 11.30am & Bell Tent 1.30pm)
Come and laugh – or be terrified – by one of his ghost stories
Moseley Village Band (Glades & Spaces, 12noon & 1.30pm)
Music in the style of the traditional English village band, arrangements like those played by country musicians of Thomas Hardy’s time.
Earth Oven Tales (Earth Oven, 12.30pm and 1.30pm) Catriona Heatherington
Bake your own foccaccio with an Italian chef. Find out how to use an earth oven. Listen to Italian legends of the earth. Eat and enjoy!
£2, booking on the day essential
Come and See What’s in the Garden (Yurt, 1.30pm) from Cath Edwards (especially for under 5’s)
Birds and plants, minibeasts and trees; lots of stories, songs and rhymes all about the Gardens, so come and join in!
Pirate Adventure (Pirate Ship, 2.30pm) with Cath Edwards & Sharon Carr-Wu (Especially for children 7 – 11).
Calling all pirates! Join us, shipmates, for tales and songs of low deeds on the high seas: treasure and treachery, shipwrecks and shanties.
Gory Stories – (Yurt 2.30pm) with Dawn Powell (Over 8’s only)
Quiver, shiver and feel the tingle in your spine as you sing along to tales of the supernatural. Are you brave? Do you dare to step into the shadow lands?
Manx Myths and Monsters (Marquee, 3.30pm) with Kit Bathgate
Follow a native guide to the Isle of Man, where the weather is a wizard’s work and fishermen are stalked by amorous mermaids
Teddy Bears’ Picnic (Earth Oven, 3.30pm) With Catriona Heatherington
Go on a walk with Teddy to find good things for Teddy to eat. Bring them to the picnic and make Teddy happy. For little children and anyone who loves their Teddy.
Dragons’ Den – (Yurt, 4.30pm) from Dawn Powell
Welcome to the World of Stories as told by champion storyteller Dawn Powell. Step into the magical world of dragons and enjoy a feast of words and a magical adventure.
Dragon Quest –(Glades & Spaces, 5pm) Catriona Heatherington (for anyone brave enough to go!)
Go on a quest through the Gardens. Use your knowledge. Test your skills. Be ready for action and tricks of the dragon.
Saturday 23 June – Evening (gate opens 6pm)
6.15 pm until 7.15pm Secret Stories of the Woods – the trees have more stories.
The trees have stories to tell – hear of Merlin’s magic; a bold knight; bewitched maidens. Roam the Gardens and find the storytellers who will intrigue and enchant you. And make some unusual jewellery
7.30 pm Our Finale – Concert in the Marquee
Princesses of Grimm – From the kitchen to the throne room, the women of the brothers Grimm have ways to make sure they rule the roost. Stories from Kit Bathgate, Cath Edwards and Sharon Carr-Wu
(15-20 minute interval)
Stories Shakespeare Forgot!
Shakespeare lived in a time that was rich in folk tale and legend and used them in his plays. Listen to some of those stories that are still with us today.
9.30pm Time to say goodbye until next year
For full details about the festival, click here