Story and the Natural World

Story and the Natural World

A story about a tree holds more power, magic and truth if it is told in the presence of the tree. The beauty of the tree is gently absorbed as the story is told.
Telling stories outside, in the natural world is as old as the hills! People have been doing it forever - until now, where in a fast paced world we are becoming detached from our natural environment.


The natural world is singing out with stories; every tree, flower, river, bird, beast and hill has a tale to tell. This is Clare's passion! To tell the world alive. Clare is constantly developing and broadening her repertoire of stories about the natural world. Sometimes these are directly linked to a specific place in the landscape eg a hill or river while other stories eg an oak tree tale, can be told beside an oak tree anywhere.

Stories can be told as part of a walk

For example;
  • A Tree walk - a route can be planned that includes, for example, an apple, oak and birch tree. At each tree, the group stops to hear a story about this tree. Other activities can be interwoven into the walk eg a picnic or craft activity.
  • A Flower or Herb walk
  • A River walk
  • A Magical walk- this may include trees, flowers, birds but may also incorporate local folklore specific to the site and/or made- up stories about ruined walls, hills, mounds etc, for example, the ruined wall of a castle may become the head of a monster who once lived there. In this way the audience can create their own stories. The eye and ear begins to train to look for the stories that are already there in the landscape, waiting to be set free. There needs to be some structure and some degree of spontaneity for these kinds of events, as you never know what you will encounter in the wild.

Recent projects have included ongoing work with Blackdown Hills AONB and Quantock Hills AONB.
'Spooky tales' - A castle storywalk including several tree stories
'Baby animals' - A story walk around a farm aimed at under fives.
'Dragons and Magic' - A walk including a stop at a Dragon filled church and local legends interwoven with tree, flower and bird stories.
'A Midsummer picnic'- By a river and surrounded by trees, tales of local heros with Arthurian links, local fairies and deer legends.
'Dragon Tales'
'Tales in a Tepee'
and more...

No comments:

Post a Comment