A Festival of Tales is an exciting arts festival taking place in Ormskirk this winter that features an arts trail by six fantastic artists, three new short stories and a new piece of site-specific theatre. All the work has been inspired by local heritage and sees Ormskirk invaded by fairy inventors, a giant gingerbread man and a red devil. The imaginative artworks are on display in locations around the Ormskirk town centre, and provide an alternative high street experience during the pantomime season. The stories are all available to read online here.
I've written a short story for family audiences inspired by local folklore of the two sisters who couldn't agree whether the church should have a tower or a steeple, and so it ended up with both. I'll also be running a number of creative writing workshops for children and adults in December, full details below. And I'll be reading with fellow commissioned writers Rodge Glass and James Rice at the Chapel Gallery on Friday 15th December. Join us for intriguing tales and warm-mulled wine in the candle-lit surroundings of the gallery café. There are lots of ways to get involved with the festival, including art workshops and competitions. You can see the full timetable of events here.
Free Creative Writing Workshops:
Saturday 2 December
Morning Session for Young People, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Making Tales: Trouble Comes in Twos
The Two Sisters have been causing a commotion in Ormskirk with their arguments for centuries. Make your own tale of troublesome twosomes in this workshop with Festival of Tales author Claire Dean. There will be drawing and making and lots of fun in this creative workshop for ages 8+.
Afternoon Session for Adults, 1:30 – 3:30pm
Exploring Local Legends and Lore in Your Writing
This workshop with Festival of Tales author Claire Dean will draw on a selection of local stories and you’ll be invited to make them your own. We’ll explore different ways we can retell or reimagine a story through a series of creative writing exercises. For adults (16+) who enjoy writing in poetry or prose.
Saturday 9 December
Morning Session for Young People, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Making Stories So Good You Could Eat Them
Do stories ever make you hungry? What about when they feature fantastic feasts? Food is a key ingredient in lots of stories, from fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel to the folklore of Ormskirk’s famous gingerbread. Join Festival of Tales author Claire Dean to make some tasty tales in this creative workshop for ages 8+.
Afternoon Session for Adults, 1:30 – 3:30pm
Bringing Norse Myth and Magic into Your Writing
This workshop with Festival of Tales author Claire Dean will draw on Ormskirk’s Viking links. We’ll explore how different writers have been inspired by Norse myths. Through a series of creative writing exercises, we’ll look at how the magic and characters from these tales can be brought into everyday settings. For adults (16+) who enjoy writing in poetry or prose.
These free workshops are expected to book up fast, so contact the Chapel Gallery on 01695 571328 or email chapel.gallery@westlancs.gov.uk to book your place.