Storytelling
Why Storytelling is Important
Stories are important. They nourish our imagination, fill our dreams, entertain and inspire us. We use stories every day of our lives - every time we see friends, visit the doctor, return something we have bought, explain key facts to employers, teachers, social workers and ticket collectors. Stories are the way we make sense of what has happened and so they are critical to our sense of who we are. Our identities consist in the stories we tell ourselves and others.
People with learning disabilities may find it hard to tell and recall stories:
- because of difficulties in learning and communication
- because people do not listen
- because people do not share story experiences with them
- because some stories are too painful to tell
Openstorytellers seeks to remove these barriers and give people the skills to share all sorts of stories: myths, legends, folktales and personal experiences, so they can be heard, understood and have choices in life
The Bardic Chair Storytelling Competition
The Annual Bardic Chair Storytelling Competition is now proudly hosted by Openstorytellers. It celebrates 'Samhain' and the changing of the seasons, taking place at the end of October. Storytellers will be relating tall tales, ghost stories, myths and legends in a bid to take their seat on the Bardic Chair of the Avalon Marshes. It is open to anyone with a story to tell and this year will be held at our new home, The Round Tower at The Black Swan Arts.
The term competition is misleading as the winner is chosen at random through the drawing of lots. The chair, however is real enough, a stripped willow chair using willow from Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve in the heart of the Avalon Marshes and was made by master basket maker Ivor Hancock.
Click Here for a more detailed history of The Bardic Chair and list of proud winners. Please check our What's On page for details of this year's event.