ARE you sitting comfortably? Pembrokeshire County Council's Schools Library Service and its arts officer have joined forces to produce a week of storytelling in schools. Schoolchildren across the county will be told tales in English and Welsh as part of National Storytelling Week - January 30 to February 3. Promoted by the Society for Storytelling, the week aims to raise the profile of storytelling and encourage this oldest of communication forms - as well as provide entertainment and enjoyment for children. Among the schools taking part in Pembrokeshire are Golden Grove Community School in Pembroke, Goodwick Primary School, Ysgol Ger y Llan in Letterston, Cilgerran Primary School, Llanychllwydog Primary in Pontfaen, Mary Immaculate RC School in Haverfordwest, Haverfordwest Primary, St. Mary's RC in Pembroke Dock, Hayscastle Primary, Mathry Primary, Orielton Primary, Manorbier Primary, Milford Haven Junior School, Fenton Primary, Mount Airey Infants, Coastlands School, Cosheston Primary and Pentlepoir Primary. Partly funded by Academi - the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency - the storytellers include Francis Maxey, Catrin Dafydd, Eric Maddern and Christine Willison. Catrin Dafydd, is a storyteller, playwright, musician and author who won the prose medal at the 2005 Urdd Eisteddfod in Cardiff. She will be performing mainly in the Welsh language. Eric Maddern, Australian-born, writer and storyteller, he has spent 10 years travelling the world, including performing in Aboriginal communities of central Australia. Now living in Gwynedd, he has worked as a professional storyteller since 1989 for English Heritage and CADW. He has appeared in TV programmes on Stonehenge, Merlin and the Holy Grail. He also teaches courses at Ty Newydd writing centre and organises programmes of performances and workshops at Cae Mabon. Francis Maxey, from Cardiff, has been telling traditional stories and running related projects for eight years in schools throughout Wales. In 1999, he was part of a two-month artists in residence project at Ysgol Glantaf comprehensive, working on the Odyssey. He also tours with 'Beyond the Border Storytelling Company'. Christine Willison, is Pembrokeshire County Council's arts officer and a storyteller with over 20 years of experience of working in schools, libraries and festivals all over the world. Last year, she toured Metropolitan Brisbane for the Arts Council of Queensland in Australia. Further details can be found from Christine Willison, arts officer on 01437 775246 or e mail [email protected]">[email protected]
