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Please join us in The Woolpack, Tillicoultry, 7.30pm – 9.30pm for an evening of storytelling which promises to be thought provoking and entertaining.

Our theme for our first meeting in August is “Flight of Fancy”.

So come along to listen to our tales and perhaps even tell a tale of your own.

Our second storytelling session in July had the theme of “Islands and Islanders”.

We began by sharing memories of our own favourite islands – Malta, Sicily, Arran, Shetland, Cyprus to name just a few.

Stories shared this evening were “The Crofter and the Laird” from South Uist, “Aci and Galatea” from Sicily, “The Woman with the Calabash Bowl” from Africa, “The Watchers” from Ireland and “New Territory” from a remote island, the location of which is a mystery.

We met in the cosy surrounding of our usual venue, The Woolpack in Tillicoultry.

We are delighted to report that Hillfoots Tales has been awarded £10,000 in Lottery funding.

The award will enable us to deliver our  “Wild Hillfoots Storytelling Programme” to Clackmannanshire over the next year,  working with local people, groups, businesses, and engaging communities across Clackmannanshire in local history,  using local venues and bringing people together to help tackle social isolation as well as promote the beauty and heritage of the wee county.

Through hearing the stories of ordinary women, who have helped shape the world throughout history, and using storytelling techniques, women will be encouraged to explore the challenging life scenarios faced every day such as poverty, health inequalities, and discrimination.

In our regular session at The Woolpack, Tillicoultry, we enjoyed an enchanting evening of  Shapeshifters tales.

First we listened to a tale from Norse mythology, “Loki’s Three Secret Children”.

Our second story of the evening was “The Fox Boy”, a well-known traditional tale set in the Ochil Hills.

Next we heard a gruesome yet funny medieval Welsh legend, “Math, Son of Mathonwy”.

Our fourth offering was an original work from our resident poet, called “Get in Shape”, a humorous take on the pressures to keep fit and healthy.

Following the poem, we heard the mysterious tale of “The Kelpie of Loch Garve”.

Our final story was “The Hiker”, a chilling tale set in an old cabin.

Before listening to these wonderful and varied pieces, we each chose a random object and modelled it using Play-Doh.  Below are a selection of our modelling attempts.  Can you guess what they are?

We had an excellent turn out of Hillfoots Tales members on a warm and sunny evening.  Our usual venue, The Woolpack, Tillicoultry, afforded a cool and peaceful setting for our “Away With the Fairies”-themed storytelling session.

First, we heard the story of Wee Angus, a shepherd’s son who encountered two wee folk in the Ochil Hills.

Next, an original poem was recited called The Night Visitor.

The third offering of the session was The Sea Shawl.

Then we listened to another original poem, A Celebration of Scott.

After that, a Welsh tale of Fairy Coos was related to the group.

The penultimate story of the evening was The Faerie Oak of Corrieburn.

And lastly, we were entertained by the tale of The Girl Who danced With the Faeries.

A wonderful evening of stories and poems was enjoyed by all.

Our first storytelling session in May will have the theme, “Away With the Fairies”.

The session will run from 7.30pm -9.30pm and will take place in the convivial surroundings of The Woolpack, Tillicoultry.

So please join us for a relaxing and uplifting evening of stories, poems, anecdotes and great company.

Our themes for this session were Celtic Folklore, Nature, Mythology and Ostara (the spring equinox).

We began our evening by playing word association games around words associated with spring and nature.

Our first offering was “The Giant’s Causeway”, in which the legend of how the causeway came to be was told.

Next, we listened to “The Crofter and the Laird of South Uist”, which told the tale of how a crofter escaped punishment for poaching on the laird’s land.

Our third piece was a poem, “Little Pagan Rain Song” by Frances Shaw, read by one of our long-standing storytellers.

After that, we heard “The Laird of Sauchie”.  This laird loses his land but regains them after helping his king.

“The Blackthorn Tree” was the forth tale of the session.  A farmer disregards the advice of his neighbours, cuts down a tree in his field and suffers the wrath of the fairy folk who live in the tree.

The penultimate story was “The Knight and the Monster”.  A young knight attempts to win King Arthur’s respect by completing task of bravery and cunning.

Lastly, we listened to the myth of “Oisin, Niamh and the Magical Land of Tir Na Nog”, an old story from Ireland.

Once again, all who attended had a wonderful time, telling tales and listening to others.

Our first storytelling session in March has the theme, “World Tales”.  It will take place from 7.30pm -9.30pm in our regular venue, The Woolpack, Tillicoultry.

Expect to be entertained by tales and poems from around the world – perhaps Greek or Norse myths, traditional tales from near and far or true stories.  Or maybe you’d like to tell your own world tale?

A warm welcome awaits!