STORYTELLING SESSION: WEDNESDAY, 20TH NOVEMBER 2024

Our next storytelling session in our usual venue of The Woolpack, Tillicoultry, 7.30 – 9.30pm, will be on the theme of “Riddle Me This”.

So if you’ve some riddles to share, a story with a mystery at its core or you just fancy an evening being entertained and uplifted, please come and join us.  Everyone is welcome.

BRIDGES BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT: REVIEW

Our last event of SISF24 was another sell-out.  The historic setting of Alloa Tower’s Great Hall adorned with paintings of Erskine family members added atmosphere and context to the stories, told by Hillfoots Tales storytellers.

An enraptured audience listened to “The Lady in the Painting”, “The Red-Haired Woman”, “The Curse”, “Building Bridges”, “Cuchulainn and the Warrior Woman”, “Veil of Hope” and “The Ferryman’s Bridge”.

Local guest singer, Sheila Menzies, provided a musical interlude with the traditional song, “The Spinning Wheel”.

“I was captivated by all the stories and the venue was such a treat too…The love for your stories came through in the way you told them, with passion.” – audience member

STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY, 6TH NOVEMBER 2024

Our first November session featured spooky stories true and imaginary, old and new, from near and far.

The evening began with participants sharing anecdotes of things that scared them. There was lots of discussion about scary movies, moments from childhood which stayed with people for ever and uncanny or inexplicable occurrences.

We heard the story of “Lady Mary and Mr Fox”, “Lilas Adie”, “Murder on the Road to Dollar” and “The Union Dale Hitchhiker”.  We also listened to a tale of strange goings on in “The Edinburgh Law Courts” and “Yotsuya Kaidan, a Japanese Ghost Story”.

The session was well attended by regular storytellers and some new attendees too.

STORYTELLING SESSION: WEDNESDAY, 6TH NOVEMBER 2024

Our next storytelling session will feature spooky tales.

So come along and join us in the atmospheric setting of our usual venue, the Woolpack Inn, Tillicoultry, for an evening of tales from near and far, traditional and modern, as told by our very own storytellers.  Perhaps you’d like to tell your own tale?  Or just feel free to come along and listen from 7.30pm – 9.30pm for some tales of the unexpected!

 

BRIDGES BETWEEN WELLNESS AND ART: REVIEW

A warm welcome was received at Hawkhill Community Centre.  The participants thoroughly enjoyed the activities and storytelling opportunities on offer from Joanne and Eleanor.

Joanne said, “It was great to have so many women sharing their experiences and creating stories.  Huge thanks to Sandra Clements at Hawkhill for the fantastic hospitality.”

 

BRIDGES BETWEEN COMMUNITIES: REVIEW

WE are delighted that our Bridges Between Communities event in Dunmar House Hotel on Friday was a full house.  The intimate setting of the hotel’s dining room promoted a welcoming and relaxed setting for an evening of diverse stories and songs about community.

The appreciative audience was entertained by “The Fairy Shawl”, “The Plague Story of Eyam” and “New Territory” told by our talented local storytellers.

Our international guest storyteller, Jeeva Raghunath from Chennai in India regaled us with “Spicy Tales from India”, a selection of stories exploring food and Indian woman power.  Her infectious sense of humour brought some welcome light to a dark, autumnal evening.

SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 2024:  GO LOCAL

Hillfoots Tales is proud to present our 2024 Storytelling Festival, Wild Hillfoots:  Bridges Between.

A programme of four events held in various venues in Alloa in the month of October.

Saturday, 19th October, 2.00pm -4.00pm

Hawkhill Community Centre, 132 Hillcrest Dr, Alloa FK10 1SB

“Bridges Between Wellness and Art”.

A fun workshop where we use storytelling techniques to promote wellbeing, improve understanding and build confidence in a relaxed setting.

Accessible

Tea, coffee and cake

Tickets £13.50

Available via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1011214739507?aff=oddtdtcreator

Friday, 25th October 7.00pm -9.00pm

Dunmar House Hotel, Dunmar, Alloa FK10 2EN

“Bridges Between Communities”

Local storytellers Eleanor Bell, Caroline Carmichael, Joanne Dowd, Tania Dron, Heather Kirby and our international guest, Jeeva Raghunath will entertain you with traditional and world tales in a cosy setting.

Accessible

Tea and coffee provided

Tickets £9.50

Available via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1011192954347?aff=oddtdtcreator

Saturday, 26th October, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Alloa Tower, Alloa Park, Alloa FK10 1PP

“Bridges Between This World and the Next”.

In partnership with Alloa Tower’s Halloween event, Joanne Dowd and Eleanor Bell will be on hand to tell spooky stories suitable for children and families.

Free with ticket to the Tower’s Halloween afternoon.

Available via Alloa Tower booking office 01259 211701

Wednesday, 30th October, 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Alloa Tower, Alloa Park, Alloa FK10 1PP

“Bridges Between Past and Present”.

An entertaining evening of storytelling where you will hear local and Scottish tales, in an impressive and historic setting. Eleanor Bell, Sue Bytheway, Joanne Dowd, Tania Dron, Heather Kirby and Gail Watson. We will also be featuring Our Guest Singer, Sheila Menzies

This event takes place in the Great Hall of Alloa Tower and requires access by a spiral staircase.

Due to the historic nature of the building no food and drink allowed.

Tickets £7.50

Available via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1011199193007?aff=oddtdtcreator

This event is now sold out.

 

Watch this space for further updates.  Our souvenir brochure is also available.

CLACKMANNAN DEVELOPMENT TRUST HALLOWEEN EVENT: THURSDAY, 17TH OCTOBER 2024

A fabulous time was had telling scary stories at Clackmannan Development Trust’s Halloween 🎃 event.

“What better way to spend a Thursday morning, than meeting lovely families and sharing spooky tales,” said our storyteller Joanne Dowd.

There was a great atmosphere with the fantastic Halloween 👻 decorations and a good turnout.

“Thanks for coming and sharing stories full of entertaining storylines and characters. It’s amazing how you remember everything!” said Sandeep Dariwal, CDT.

We hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did.

STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY, 16TH OCTOBER 2024

Our second session in October had as its theme “Cold and Wintry Weather”.

As usual, it was well attended by our storytellers.

The evening began with a Halloween themed quiz.  The result was a close call, with only one point between the teams.

We also shared memories of our own experiences of cold and wintry weather, including those of the “Beast from the East”.

We wre entertained by the tales “A Cold Day and the Porridge Pot”, “Old Mary of Ollisdal”, “Herman, Saxie and the Mermaid”, “Mallie and the Trow” and a poem, “Someone” by Walter de la Mer.