Society for Storytelling

History of the SfS

Here is a timeline of some of the milestones in the history of the Society

Tuesday 4th August 1992
A group of storytellers got together in the garden of ‘The Volunteer’ in Sidmouth to discuss how storytelling should be fostered in the UK. They all agreed there was a need for an association to do this. The SfS was conceived.

3rd October 1992
This was the meeting that set out the six underlying principles of the Society. That we would: Promote storytelling; Be as open as possible; Act as a network; Supply information; Give advice; Not recommend individuals.

25th April 1993
We applied to become a charity.

Saturday 19th June 1993
The Inaugeral Assembly of the Society for Storytelling was held in the Library Theatre, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham. Alan Garner gave the keynote speech. Discussion groups looked at what people wanted from the organisation and the Steering Committee was confirmed as Grace Hallworth (Chair), Joan Jones (Secretary), Wendy Dacre, Helen East, Ben Haggarty, Vayu Naidu, Mike Rust, Patrick Ryan.  The SfS was born and named.

5th July 1993
The key points from the Inaugural Assembly Discussion Groups were collated and 14 key points identified. Roy Dyson volunteered to take on the role of Membership Secretary.
The first steps were taken to become a Company Limited by Guarantee.

3rd October 1993
The Storytelling Diary was set up by Roy Dyson

19th March 1994
The First Annual Gathering and AGM took place at the University of Leicester. Grace Hallworth, Helen East, Vayu Naidu and Mike Rust retired. Joining the committee were Roy Dyson, Sally Tongue and Tina Bilbé.

17th April 1994
An application was made to the Arts Council for funds to produce a new Directory of Storytellers and to pay for a part-time Administrator.
Plans were started for National Storytelling Day.

16th May 1994
Margaret Leona donated books to start the SfS Folktale Library and Hugh Lupton produced a recording of Alan Garner’s speech at the Inaugural Gathering in Birmingham to start the SfS Archive.

3rd September 1994
Paid administrator in post and Directory underway.

12th November 1994
Registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.

4th March 1995
Second Annual Gathering takes place at Exeter University
Directory of Storytellers launched

6th May 1995
Joint conference held with the Folklore Society. ‘Spreading The Word’

3rd June 1995
Education Sub-committee formed with the purpose of producing a Document and a Booklist for teachers on the uses of storytelling in education.
Mail order catalogue for storytellers’ audiotapes begun.
Charitable status sought.
Paid Administrator leaves as funds run out.
Mary Medlicott and Rob Parkinson make a presentation to the Arts Council to encourage an understanding of storytelling.

13th September 1995
Robert Turner becomes the volunteer Membership Secretary.
First publications in the Oracle and Artisan series agreed.

8th November 1995
Joint conference held with Wandsworth Borough Council. ‘Whose Story Is It Anyway?’

22nd & 23rd March 1996
Annual Gathering becomes a two day conference, ‘Look Out Stories, Look In Storytelling’ at the Rising Sun Centre Newcastle.

22nd June 1996
Charity status granted.
Education Sub-committee holds meetings up and down the country to promote storytelling in schools.
Special interest group started for people using storytelling in Health and Therapy settings.

12th October 1996
Special interest forum for professional storytellers suggested.

16th November1996
Second joint conference with Wandsworth Borough Council. ‘Of Course You Can’

25th January 1997
A joint storytelling project with the Body Shop is started.
First Papyrus publication is proposed.

27th March 1997
Ben Haggarty requests support for a symposium ‘Does Traditional Narrative Content have a place in Contemporary Art?’

12th & 13th April 1997
Annual Gathering in Hammersmith ‘On Your Doorstep, storytelling for the here and now.’

11th July 1997
Proposal to get an SfS page on the Internet.

5th November 1997
Third joint conference with Wandsworth Borough Council. ‘It’s The Words That Count’

18th & 19th April 1998
Annual Gathering, ‘Translations’ held just outside Cardiff.

17th May 1998
Ben Haggarty to organise a survey of the members and put together a proposal for a survey on the scale and scope of storytelling in Britain, to be organised and conducted by an independent specialist

19th October 1998
First Area Network Co-ordinators weekend approved.

4th November 1998
Fourth joint conference with Wandsworth Borough Council. ‘Opening Pandora’s Box’

12th December 1998
Joan Barr’s proposal, to hold an event to celebrate the 95th birthday of our founding patron Eileen Colwell, accepted.

3rd March 1999
First telephone conference.
Kevin Blackburn given to go ahead to register and publicise his interim SfS website.

13th & 14th March 1999
Annual Gathering. ‘Routes to your Roots’ held in Stockport.

17th & 18th April 1999
First Directors Planning Weekend

8th May 1999
Eileen Colwell’s 95th Birthday Celebrations at Loughborough University.

6th October 1999
Fifth joint conference with Wandsworth Borough Council. ‘Lessons In Storytelling’

7th - 9th April 2000
Annual Gathering, ‘Lessons From The Past’ in Shropshire

16th October 2000
Last joint conference with Wandsworth Borough Council. ‘Many Voices’

Our historian seems to have disappeared temporarily if you see her captive in a strange land could you do all you can to help or at least get a message to us so we can rescue her and complete this page.