THE ANCIENT ART Of
ORAL STORYTELLING
IN SOMERSET'S
MENDIP HILLS
Mendip Storytelling Circle
The Mendip Storytelling Circle is run by and for people who love to tell and listen to traditional and contemporary stories.
The Circle is led by a team of four -
Colin Emmett, Martin Horler,
Janet North and Orion Heard.
They each have their own distinctive style of storytelling and are often joined by members of the audience and guests who would like to tell a story.
The Mendip storytelling circle meet on the second Wednesday of the month at Ston Easton Village Hall, Green Street, Ston Easton, BA3 4DA.
Doors open at 7:30 pm, for a 7:45 pm start. Stories finish at 9:30 pm. (There is also a tea break!)
Forthcoming Event
STORY SUMMER PICNIC..........
This years Story Summer Picnic Will take place in the peace and
tranquility of St. James' churchyard at Cameley.
Saturday 14th June 2 till 4pm.
This will also be a part of the Churches Conservation Trust 'Open Churches Week' and there will be guided tours of the church pointing out the interesting historic features. There will also be explanations of the mediaeval wall paintings, which are currently in a perilous state as the plaster is delaminating from the stonework
£35,000 is needed to carry out the conservation work to stabilise the plaster and there are currently fundraising events running to raise the money.
Do please join us, there is no charge but a cash donation would be gratefully excepted towards the wall paintings conservation fund.
Further information: Colin Emmett - 01275 332735 mendipstorycircle@gmail.com
Martin Horler - 07773044285 martin@martinhorler.co.uk
Meet the Tellers - Colin, Martin, Janet and Orion!
Colin Emmett was first introduced to storytelling whilst listening, with his grandmother, to David Kossoff telling Bible stories on the wireless. Later, having discovered the world of folk traditions, Colin enjoyed telling the odd tale himself.
Now, in retirement, Colin tell stories at every opportunity and is active in promoting the oral tradition of storytelling at open garden events, flower festivals, U3A, village socials, WI’s, weddings, care homes and storytelling gatherings.
Having spent 40 years producing large wooden toys for a living Colin still strives to make wooden jig dolls for a hobby. Colin is also heavily involved in organising Priston Festival and promoting live music sessions in pubs. Colin can be contacted direct on: colinemmett@gmail.com
Janet North began her storytelling career late in life after meeting a professional storyteller who introduced her to the oral tradition of storytelling. This was a life changing moment and led to her training to become a storyteller at the International School of Storytelling. "If dreams have wings, mine took flight!"
Since graduating in 2014, Janet has worked with arts organisations in local communities, in care homes and day centres, with private groups, at fetes and festivals and round camp fires.
Having spent more than two decades as a Well Being practitioner and Textile Artist, Janet believes that oral storytelling has therapeutic value as well as being entertaining. Stories can teach, entertain and be deeply nourishing, stimulating memory and wellbeing.
Janet can be contacted through Mendip Story Circle or via email at janet.w.north@gmail.com
Martin Horler has always had an interest in the folk world as a singer, morrisman, dance caller and as a drummer with a ceilidh band.
He loves folk tradition and has performed in many Mummers Plays - always playing the role of Father Christmas, as did his great-grandfather who was also a step-dancer and who accompanied himself on a piccolo.
Martin has revived the tradition of Wassail and 'Burning the Ashen Faggot' near his home in Kilmersdon.
Storytelling is a natural extension of folk tradition which Martin has performed for some years now. Well known as ‘The Somerset Storyteller’ Martin provides Somerset themed storytelling evenings for W.I. groups, clubs and societies all over the South West.
Contact him at martin@martinhorler.co.uk
Orion Heard has always loved listening to stories since childhood,
listening to hours and hours of audiobooks to relax and unwind. After somewhat of a hiatus from listening to stories whilst studying, they have found their passion again through the art of poetry and have been known to try their hand at sharing original pieces at the Mendip Story Circle.
They believe in the power of the spoken word to express abstract emotions and concepts in a beautiful and compelling way, finding connections across diverse groups of people. For Orion, storytelling is an incredible way that people can relate to each other, regardless of differences.
Contact Orion via the Mendip Storytelling Facebook page.
Some 'Special' Events.....
''Stories from the Landscape' - the Circle presented related tales for 'Avon Needs Trees' at their Publow forest site
'The Prophesy of Merlin' - story and music by Mike O'Connor & Barbara Griggs.
A National Storytelling Week event in aid of Medecins sans Frontiers and the Red Cross
In aid of the Ukraine Appeal - a special evening with Storytelling Laureate Taffy Thomas & musician Mossy Christian
Storytelling in the roundhouse at Avon Wildlife Trust, Stowey
