Possibly a new career as a Disney Princess in 2011?
Events 2011:
Following the closure of Archaeolink Prehistory Park, where I told my first story way back in 2003, four ex staff/volunteers decided that it would leave too big a gap in our lives. We became the Rhynie Wifies - named after the Rhynie Man, a pictish carved stone who we always thought looked a bit hen pecked! And together with a couple of Rhynettes (a couple of younger members) we have had a great summer appearing at Castle Fraser, Fort George and also Banchory Museum as part of Scottish Archaeology Month. We demonstrate iron age textiles, cooking, firelighting and survival skills as well as providing a lot for the kids to do - warrior school, crafts and we'll even paint them up as celtic warriors! And there's always the potential for a story round our fire. Click here to go to the Rhynie Wifies on Facebook. (Web page to follow). We have also been busy at the Grampian Association of Storytellers with guest storytellers, DIY sessions and workshops planned throughout the year. See our web page for details.
Along with renowned storyteller, Frances Logan, I told stories and sang songs at the 2011 Girvan Folk Festival. The festival runs between Friday 29th April and Sunday 1st May 2011.
On the 15th May 2011 I told stories at March4TheMarines, a Sponsored Walk and Family Fun Day at Milton of Crathes, Banchory. The day raised funds for the Woodlands Garden for the 45 Commando Marines, based in Arbroath.
On Saturday, 11th June, I was at Banchory Museum and
Library telling updated folk and fairy stories with Anna Fancett as part of 2011's Banchory St Ternan's Fair. The Museum had a1950s to 1960s feel
with music, song, dance and visual arts of the day, The swinging '60s
psychedelic stairs took visitors up to the Library and on into the 1970s
with examples of materials culture from the era. With my hair and favourite tartan boots, I could only go as an early punk - but the stories were much more gentle on the ears than my outfit was on the eyes, including Terry Jones' Fairy One Step, some traditional Scottish folk tales transported into post-war Aberdeenshire and some of my Grandfather's stories from when he was a baker in wartime Aberdeen.
This year my friend Fairy Flick and I dressed up as Scottish fairies to tell stories in the Kidz Field and Green Futures Field at the Glastonbury Festival of Performing Arts.
Stories we told in the Kidz Field included animal tales, folk tales from all around the world, some traditional Scottish fairy tales and we even had time for a couple of childrens songs thrown in at the end.
The stories up at the Green Futures Field were a lot more varied and included Scottish tales and ballads such as the Laird of Morphie, Four Blue Bonnets, and The College Boy. We didn't stick to Scottish tales, however, and told a few folk tales from far flung places as well as stories from the Arabian Nights.
Can't wait for the 2013 festival! (Thanks to Cath Little for the photo)
On
the 3rd July I told stories at the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve Open day - it was sunny again despite it being the coldest summer I can remember (probably punishment for trying to steal the Glastonbury sunshine!)
2011 being the International Year of Forests, I focused on tree, animal and environmental stories such as Auld Craobhie, The Green Man and Tidalick The Frog.
The 24th July 2011 was the 600th Anniversary of the Battle of Harlaw - one of the bloodiest battles to take place in medieval Scotland. I entered a song competition ran by Scottish Culture and Traditions and was delighted to receive a "special mention."
I was back for the second year at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival on the first weekend in August. This time I was delighted to be storytelling with Kelpie Creative team who kept kids entertained in the Tir Na Nog (kids) area with space themed crafts, gaelic action songs, lullabies and a space hopper course. All the stories I told were space themed -something I thought would be really difficult, but once I got started I couldn't believe how many wonderful stories I found - some of them will definitely make their way into my permanent repertoire!
Most recently I was back for my third year at Wizard Festival where the Wee Wizards tent was better than ever (even if the weather wasn't!) It's really nice to do a music festival on my home turf because, well, if the Jester turns out to sound like he's a fairmer's loon fae Buchan then fowk ken fit he's on aboot!
Thanks to Bill Irvine for the photo.
I will be a guest storyteller with the Glasgow Story Tellers on Friday 16th September 2011. This is a week after their own Frances Logan will be visiting the Grampian Association of Storytellers for our September Friday Fling on the 9th September 2011. I'm really looking forward to it as telling stories to other storytellers is always a pleasure!
More information to follow on further events and activities including:More events will be added as the year goes on, but in the meantime, click here for an archive of what Pauline got up to in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
