Society for Storytelling

First Laureate for Storytelling

News of the first Laureate for storytelling was shared and received with hearty applause at the Lakeland storytelling festival in Grasmere in the unexpected and very welcome summer warmth of sunshine and clear blue skies of late September. The position will be officially launched and celebrated in three special events starting in the south, then the middle and the north of England for National Storytelling week (30 Jan. – 6 Feb. 2010). It is an exciting and new position to raise the profile and enhance the public understanding of the oral tradition of storytelling across the United Kingdom. The honorary post is for two years, after which it will be handed on to the next worthy recipient to put their own distinctive mark on the role.

Adrian Johnson explains how the idea was conceived and his ambitions for the position.

“Playing with words is one way we can learn that we don’t have to accept the world as it is given to us and that we can take part in changing it.”
Michael Rosen – poet and broadcaster

It was early spring time, 2009 and I heard the familiar lament: ‘no one really knows what to expect from a storyteller! I have to explain all the time,” and I thought - something should be done, something to honour the tradition of the storyteller in this country and perhaps, bit by bit, little by little, help to change this situation. Something visible and vocal was needed. There was also much recent excitement about the announcement of a brilliant new, female, laureate for poetry – Carol Ann Duffy - and her ten year stint and the Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen, was fast approaching the last lap of his two year position. So, with all of that in mind and fresh from seeing some great storytellers at work across the UK I set out to enlist support for the idea of a first laureate for storytelling. I anticipated a long and winding road, but within a few days I received strong signs of support and very quickly six ‘guardians of the story’ were convened. Michael Rosen enthused:

“Of course of course. Anything that helps support oral storytelling gets my vote.” And that felt good.

Pretty soon more, very welcome and enthusiastic support was enlisted from the poet Brian Patten:

“He sounds perfect, I’m sure Taffy will make a great ambassador.” And that felt even better.

Then, Simon Thirsk - MD at Bloodaxe books, Patsy Heap from Birmingham City Council, Del Reid - the national director of storytelling week and Pete Chand – recently nominated Arts Foundation award contender for storytelling - all chimed in with equally positive support and agreed I should approach our first, preferred candidate. This person is no stranger to storytellers, festival audiences and countless schools groups across the UK, Europe and the United States of America. This particular and wonderful storyteller is based in the Lake District of England – at least on the rare occasion he’s not on the road. He turned 60 years of age in 2009 and can, sometimes, be seen dressed in his fabulous, embroidered tale coat. I refer to, of course, the storyteller, Taffy Thomas, MBE.

It was not certain, however, that the position would be accepted. There is, of course, a strong and commendable tradition of brilliant egalitarianism among storytellers, though this - I believe - should not hamper new initiatives for the advancement of storytelling across the country. Also, as the originator and producer of the position, I reflected on the initial reservations that Carol Ann Duffy had –according to the press-  prior to accepting her position. And though the first laureate for storytelling comes with no royal decree, it could still be a daunting position to fill. Happily, when I met and introduced the idea to Taffy, and his partner, Chrissie, his eyes lit up and gleamed with wonder and excitement:

“Why, yes. Of course,” he cried out, “I’d be delighted!”

So that was that. The idea had guardians, the guardians had a preferred, first candidate and that candidate has a wealth of stories, energy, willing and ambition to give it a go.

The poet Brian Patten says that “stories must be shared if they are to stay alive,” and this is exactly what the first laureate for storytelling intends to help and ensure. It is not the only thing, but it is a confident step forward as the art form finds new audiences and practitioners to follow in the footsteps of so many professional tellers across the British Isles. 

“Stories help us understand the world,” the novelist Jeanette Winterson says. Over time too, the growing number of laureates for storytelling, appointed and renewed - every two years - will also help to foster better and more visible public understanding of the storyteller at work in this country.

As far as I know the position of first laureate for storytelling is the first of its kind in Europe, though other nations, as demonstrated at FEST (The Federation of European Storytelling) in Lausanne, Switzerland in the summer of 2009 demonstrate a wide breadth of support and commitment to the advancement and celebration of oral tradition storytelling across Europe.

The first laureate for storytelling will also be listening out for stories, as well as telling stories, from across the UK on his journey around the country as part of the “What’s the story: Hear?” initiative – a digital collection of local, 3 minute, stories of which some will be woven into a new piece of work to be shared with the nation towards the end of Taffy’s tenure – and be heard, I wish I hope, at one of the UK’s major outdoor festivals such as Glastonbury or part of the BBC proms season.

And, what does the first laureate think about it all? Well, readers of ‘Facts and Fiction’ can find out for themselves at one of the three official celebratory launch events for the position, as part of National Storytelling week. The first will be held at the British Library on Saturday 30th January, 2010. The second will be held at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on Tuesday 2 February and the third will be held at Seven Stories museum in Newcastle on Saturday 6 February, 2010. Facts and Fiction’ readers can contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to find out more details of these activities and other official, public appearances and activities with the first laureate for storytelling. Places are limited so get in touch, soon.

Taffy, of course, is thrilled and said:

  “Over the two years, I will do all within my power to promote the art and to encourage the passing on of both repertoire and skills. I will endeavour to lay a firm foundation for future Laureates for storytelling and believe this is an exciting new development for storytelling, I am delighted and honoured to be involved at the start of a new chapter in the life of our art and It is with huge pleasure that I accept the invitation to become the first Laureate for storytelling.”

Peter Chand, one of the six patron and guardians of the first laureate for storytelling initiative summed up his own feelings for Taffy and this latest, new adventure for storytelling:
“Not only is Taffy Thomas a wonderful storyteller who has headlined at many festivals and events around the world, he is also a storyteller within the wider community.  Whether he is telling stories to a toddlers group, in a prison setting, or to inner city teenagers, Taffy has the exceptional ability to communicate with people on many levels. His storytelling projects leave a real impact on areas, and not only promote the spoken word, but  also leave a longer legacy of respect, communication and improved confidence within participants.“

As for me, my personal high water marks of success will include the very fine day that I see Taffy on BBC 1’s 6 o’clock news, or radio 4’s news quiz or see a storyteller on BBC 2’s News night review, chatting with Jonathan Ross, or commenting on Channel 4 news from a storytellers perspective, rather than another novelist, poet or comedian, because it is surely time we had a Taffy or Xanthe or Pete, or Tuup or Hugh, or Shona or Daniel, or Ben or Graham (how much space have I got ed?) and so many others up and out their inspiring the nation on screen, over the airwaves and online as we know storytellers do, already – day in, day out, breathe in - words out,  in schools, in museums, festivals and libraries.

So, this, I believe is something good to watch and listen out for during, and long after, the fast approaching 10th national storytelling week. I hope to see you along the way and hope you will spread the word about this new departure and adventure for storytelling.

More details and news about the first laureate for storytelling can be received from: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

27 September 2009