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Our regular fortnightly session was well attended, with some new members joining us in The Woolpack, Tillicoultry.

Our theme was “Witches, Spells and Magic Tales”.

We heard the story of “The Last Witch of Scotland”, known as Janet Horne, which was a common name used for witches.  A tale of “The Broonie” was also shared.

We then listened to a true story, “The Curse of Iona” and an original poem, “What’s a Riddle?”

Next, “The Witch Stereotype” was told, in which the origins of witches’; hats, brooms, cats and more was explained.

Finally, the tale of “Odysseus and Circe”, from Homer, was told.

Another interesting and entertaining evening was enjoyed by all.

Hillfoots Tales is delighted to be offering two storytelling sessions for families on Sunday, 1st December at Alloa Tower’s Christmas Fair, which runs from 12.00pm until 4.00pm.

The sessions are:  12.45pm – 1.15pm

1.30pm – 2.00pm

Hillfoots Tales will tell a selection of Christmas stories, poems, songs and perhaps a joke or two.

Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the storytelling session.

Our next session will have the theme, “Witches, Spells and Magic Tales”.

So come along and join us in the warm and welcoming environs of our usual venue, the Woolpack Inn, Tillicoultry, for an evening of tales true and imaginary, recounted 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.

 

The theme for the evening was “A Twist in the Tale” or “Riddles”.

We began with a quiz.  Two teams competed to guess the answer to riddles.  It was a close call, with only one point between the two teams.

The evening was well attended.  We listened to a well-known traditional tale from County Clare in Ireland, “Biddy Early”, the wise woman who suffered great misfortunes.  “High John the Conqueror” told the story of a clever slave in America who outwits his proud master.  We also heard the story of William Barton and his pact with the devil, a ghost story about star-crossed lovers and “Puzzle Pieces” about a little boy and his father.  We were also entertained by two stories from Ancient Greek times, “Odysseus and the Cyclops” and “Things Are Not Always as They Seem”.

Despite the biting cold and frosty weather outside, an interesting and informative evening was enjoyed by all in our usual venue, The Woolpack in Tillicoultry.

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.

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

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.

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!

 

Hillfoots Tales storytellers joined staff at Alloa Tower and provided some spooky fun for children and families who enjoyed  some scary and not so scary tales.

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.”