Events 2012
Monday 17 December
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Saturday 8 December
Winterfest. Transition Stroud invite you to a day of stalls, activities, food, carol-singing - plus, from 12.00 noon to 1.00 p.m., earth stories from Anthony Nanson and Kirsty Hartsiotis. Subscription Rooms, Stroud. Contact: www.transitionstroud.org
Friday 23 November
Dark Age Deeds of the Celtic Saints. Born from druids, and attuned to wild nature and the memory of old gods, Irish monks carried the torch of civilisation through a dark age of conflict. Patrick, Brigid, Columba, Colman, and Brendan - they parleyed with pagan heroes, battled with words for the spiritual compass of these isles, and ploughed the waves in search of earthly paradise. With Fire Springs’ distinctive blend of story and music, Anthony Nanson and David Metcalfe bring legend to life.
Rondo Theatre, Bath. 8.00 p.m. £12 (concessions £10). Tickets: 01225 463362.
Friday 30 November
Ox-Tales Story Supper. To celebrate the launch of Oxfordshire Folk Tales by local storyteller Kevan Manwaring: a tasty evening of tales and tunes, with contributions from Kirsty Hartsiotis (Wiltshire Folk Tales), Anthony Nanson (Gloucestershire Folk Tales), and David Phelps (Herefordshire Folk Tales) and limited floor spots for performed (not read) stories and songs (5-10 min). The cafe will be serving hot fruit punch, mince pies, and other tasty treats. Free entry. Black Book Cafe, Nelson Street, Stroud. Contact: 01453 764509, www.kevanmanwaring.co.uk, www.thehistorypress.co.uk
Monday 19 November
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Saturday 27 October
Between Worlds. An evening of songs, poems, and stories for Hallowe’en, Samhain, the Celtic New Year. Music from Dark Island and Harvey & Vaisey, storytelling from Anthony Nanson, and much more. Imperial Hotel, Station Road, Stroud. 8.00 p.m. Entry: £4. Contact: Alex 01453 889326.
Monday 15 October
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Friday 28 September
EarthNight. A bi-monthly evening of music, poetry, storytelling, with a talk and an art/craft exhibition. The aim of this event is to make connections between the arts and the green movement. The arts have a role to play, alongside environmental action, in accelerating the changes we need to make to preserve the life of the earth. Guest speaker: Martin Whiteside. Guest musicians: Tritette. Featured poet: Peter Adams. Guest MC: Anthony Nanson. Open floor for six poets (please sign up at 7.30 p.m.) plus extra time for two poets selected by the audience. Imperial Hotel, Station Road, Stroud. 7.30-10.00 p.m. £3. Contact: Peter, 01452 813355, peter@adams9.free-online.co.uk
Monday 17 September
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Friday 14 September
Stroud’s Story Cabaret. Acclaimed storyteller Fiona Collins and musician Jem Hammond present ‘Tales and Tunes from North Wales: The Legend of Pryderi’. Journey through all four branches of the ancient Welsh story cycle, the Mabinogi. We follow the hero Pryderi through a land of enchantment with tales of mystery and sorcery. Floor spots welcomed - bring a story, song, or poem (no reading!) - or just come to listen. Open House (British School), Gloucester Street, Stroud. 7.30 p.m. (doors 7.00 p.m.). £6 (£5 concessions). Refreshments available. Bookings: 01453 834793.
Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 September
Composting Culture: Literature, Nature, Popular Culture, Science - The 2012 conference of the Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment (UK and Ireland) will explore the extent to which correspondences between more complex ecological understanding and cultural forms might be evident, most particularly, in non-canonical texts, or previously unexplored linkages between theories and texts, or in the upcycling of established literary or cultural forms, movements, and writers. Keynote speakers include: Thierry Bardini, Jed Rasula, Helen S. Lanier, and Molly Scott-Cato. Anthony will present a paper entitled ‘Composting Dragons: Recovery and Eco-radicalisation of Oral Folklore in a Gloucestershire Landscape’. University of Worcester. Contact: j.parham@worc.ac.uk; d.arnold@worc.ac.uk
Monday 20 August
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Saturday 4 August
Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Storyteller Anthony Nanson tells stories from his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales, including the legend of ‘The Bisley Boy’, in which Sudeley Castle plays an important part. Anthony will also talk about how he researched the book, published by the History Press, and there will be time for questions and discussion. (The stories are aimed mainly at an adult audience.) Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe. 2.00 p.m. Info: 01242 602308, www.sudeleycastle.co.uk <http://www.sudeleycastle.co.uk>
Sunday 22 July
Tales of a Tudor Night. Have you heard about the lass who had a giant pet maggot? Or the tragic romance of the young lovers who met at Acton Court? Or the scandalous secret of Queen Elizabeth I? Join Fire Springs storytellers Anthony Nanson and Kirsty Hartsiotis (authors of Gloucestershire Folk Tales and Wiltshire Folk Tales) to hear a sparkling medley of local tales that could well have been told at Acton Court in its Tudor heyday. Acton Court, Iron Acton, South Gloucestershire. Performances at 2.30 and 4.00 p.m. Tickets £7 (£5 concessions). Suitable for adults and children over 11. Contact: 01454 228224, info@actioncourt.com <mailto:info@actioncourt.com>, www.actoncourt.com <http://www.actoncourt.com>
Monday 16 July
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Thursday 5 July
Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Storyteller Anthony Nanson tells stories hilarious and mysterious from his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales, published by the History Press. He will also talk about how he researched the stories and their locations across the county, and there will be time for questions and discussion. (The stories are aimed mainly at an adult audience.) Waterstone’s, Cirencester. 7.00 p.m. Entry free. Contact: 0843 290 8241. www.thehistorypress.co.uk <http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/>
Friday 29 June
Other Voices, Other Times: Exploring Representation in Historical and Fantasy Writing. The Centre for Contemporary Writing at Bath Spa University is holding a one-day interdisciplinary symposium to explore the challenges of representing other worlds, either historical or imagined. Keynote speakers include the poet and novelist Gerard Woodward, screenwriter Ashley Pharoah, and novelist Fay Weldon. Anthony Nanson and Kevan Manwaring will present papers on aspects of writing fantasy. Corsham Court, Corsham. Contact: c.brayfield@bathspa.ac.uk or mimi.thebo@bathspa.ac.uk
Monday 18 June
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Wednesday 30 May
Folk Tales. Magical monthly event at which six freshly picked performers offer scintillating stories and soulful songs to celebrate the blossoming of summer by Bristol's harbour. Including this month a tale or two of Gloucestershire from Anthony. 8.00 p.m. £4. The Scout Hut, Redcliffe Wharf, Bristol. Contact: martinjmaudsley@gmail.com
Wednesday 23 May
Stroud Story Cabaret. Storytellers Fiona Eadie, Kirsty Hartsiotis, Diana Humphrey, and Anthony Nanson team up with Bath painter Ione Parkin RWA to present Without This Art: stories of art, craft and making - a compilation of story and image designed specially for the Site Festival, exploring two of the deep impulses that define us as human - making art and telling stories. The stories - traditional, historical, and personal - tell of art, of craft, and of the makers themselves, complemented by projected images of Ione’s magnificent abstract paintings. This event is also YOUR chance to shine. Floor spots are welcomed - bring a story (max. 10 minutes), song, poem, or tune; the only rule is no reading! Or just come to listen. ‘The British School’, Gloucester Street, Stroud. 8.00 p.m. (doors 7.30 p.m.). £6 (£5 concessions). Refreshments from Star Anise Arts Cafe. Tickets: 01453 840021. Information: 01453 840887.
Monday 21 May
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Saturday 19 May
Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Storyteller Anthony Nanson tells stories hilarious and mysterious from his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales, published by the History Press. He will also talk about how he researched the stories and their locations across the county, and there will be time for questions and discussion. (The stories are aimed mainly at an adult audience.) Waterstone’s, Gloucester. 11.00 a.m. Entry free. Contact: 0843 290 8347. www.thehistorypress.co.uk <http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/>
Thursday 17 May
The Well of the Saint and the Well of the Snake: Ecological Enchantment of a Local Landscape. Anthony Nanson describes what happened when research for his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales took him out into the landscape - and townscape - to see how the actuality and ecology of place could help to bring alive a county’s old and often forgotten folktales, and how at the same time the telling of the tales could re-enchant places associated with them and give voice to questions of ecological ethics that were latent in the stories. Lecture at George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling, University of Glamorgan, Cardiff. 5.30 p.m. Contact: storytelling@glam.ac.uk
Wednesday 16 May
Somerset and Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Join Sharon Jacksties and Anthony Nanson for the Bath launch of their respective new books, Somerset Folk Tales and Gloucestershire Folk Tales, published by the History Press. Includes author talks, stories, question time, and refreshments. Waterstone’s, Milsom Street, Bath. 6.30 p.m. Entry free. Contact: 0843 290 8139. www.thehistorypress.co.uk <http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/>
Saturday 5 May
Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Join Anthony Nanson to hear stories from his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales, published by the History Press. Includes author talk, stories, and question time. (The stories are aimed primarily for adults.) Stroud Bookshop, High Street, Stroud. 11.00 a.m. Entry free. Contact: 01453 756646. www.thehistorypress.co.uk <http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/>
Saturday 28 April
Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Join Anthony Nanson for the launch of his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales, published by the History Press. Includes author talk, stories, and question time. (The stories are aimed primarily for adults.) Waterstone’s, Promenade, Cheltenham. 11.00 a.m. Contact: 0843 290 8227. Entry free. www.thehistorypress.co.uk <http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/>
Monday 23 April
Spirits of Place. Did you know that monks could fly? That strange beasts lurk in the Forest of Dean? Or that ancient gods dwelt on the Downs? A sparkling evening of tales from Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire by three of the region’s fine storytellers. Fire Springs members Anthony Nanson, Kirsty Hartsiotis and Kevan Manwaring have scoured the three counties for their collections of Folk Tales, published by the History Press. Whether a newcomer to the region or a long-term resident, you'll never look at your neck of the woods in the same way again. Hawkwood College, Stroud. 7.30 p.m. (doors) for 8.00 p.m. £8 (£6 concessions).Tickets: 01453 759034; www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk/events/
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 April
Folklore & Fantasy - This joint conference of the Folklore Society and the Sussex Centre for Folklore, Fairy Tales & Fantasy, will investigate and celebrate the relationships between folklore and fantasy in literature, tradition, art, folk narrative, TV, and film. Keynote speaker: Kate Forsyth. Special guest of honour: Jacqueline Simpson. Anthony will present a paper entitled ‘Spoken Fantasy or Living Lore?’ University of Chichester, Bishop Otter Campus, College Lane, Chichester. Contact: enquiries@folklore-society.com
Thursday 12 April
Ariadne’s Thread. Launch party for a new literary magazine published by Armando Halpern, featuring readings by contributors. The first edition includes a short story by Anthony. First floor, Old Ship, King Street, Richmond. 8.00 p.m. Entry free. www.ariadnethread.net
Monday 19 March
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Sunday 11th March
Forgotten Lives, Inspiring Stories: Memory, History, Legend. Take a trip back through time to meet, in person, an astonishing assembly of the city’s forgotten and half-remembered denizens. Adventurers and inventors, kings and clerics, writers and visionaries, they’ll all be here to tell their own true stories - brought back to life by Bath’s own storytelling company, Fire Springs, in this performance specially commissioned for Bath Literature Festival. Holburne Museum, Bath. 3.30-5.00 p.m. £5 (£4). Tickets: 01225 463362.
Friday 2 March
Forgotten Lives, Inspiring Stories: New Breath for Vanished Voices. Celebrate the forgotten corners of history in an inspiring spoken-word performance, hosted by Bath bard and convenor of the Bath Storytelling Circle, David Metcalfe, under the auspices of Bath Literature Festival. Students from Bath Spa University and performance artists from Fire Springs respond creatively to people and events from the city’s memory. Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institute, Bath. 12.30-1.30 p.m. Entry free. Contact: 01225 463362.
Monday 20 February
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Monday 16 January
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Thursday 5 January
Turning the Wheel / Wintergeschichten aus dem Jahreskreis. Kevan Manwaring, Karola Renard und Anthony Nanson sind Buchautoren, Performance Storytellers und Teil der englischen Künstler-Kooperative Awen Publications. Sie verstehen sich als moderne Barden, die mit dem geschriebenen und gesprochenen Wort eintreten für einen bewussten, achtsamen Umgang mit der eigenen Kultur und ihren vergessenen Traditionen, für ein ganzheitliches Leben im Einklang mit der Umwelt und eine zukunftsfähige, nachhaltige und kreative Gemeinschaft. Zentralbibliothek, Münsterstraße, Cassius-Bastei, Bonn. 19.30 Uhr. Eintritt frei. www.bonn.de/stadtbibliothek
Monday 17 December
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Saturday 8 December
Winterfest. Transition Stroud invite you to a day of stalls, activities, food, carol-singing - plus, from 12.00 noon to 1.00 p.m., earth stories from Anthony Nanson and Kirsty Hartsiotis. Subscription Rooms, Stroud. Contact: www.transitionstroud.org
Friday 23 November
Dark Age Deeds of the Celtic Saints. Born from druids, and attuned to wild nature and the memory of old gods, Irish monks carried the torch of civilisation through a dark age of conflict. Patrick, Brigid, Columba, Colman, and Brendan - they parleyed with pagan heroes, battled with words for the spiritual compass of these isles, and ploughed the waves in search of earthly paradise. With Fire Springs’ distinctive blend of story and music, Anthony Nanson and David Metcalfe bring legend to life.
Rondo Theatre, Bath. 8.00 p.m. £12 (concessions £10). Tickets: 01225 463362.
Friday 30 November
Ox-Tales Story Supper. To celebrate the launch of Oxfordshire Folk Tales by local storyteller Kevan Manwaring: a tasty evening of tales and tunes, with contributions from Kirsty Hartsiotis (Wiltshire Folk Tales), Anthony Nanson (Gloucestershire Folk Tales), and David Phelps (Herefordshire Folk Tales) and limited floor spots for performed (not read) stories and songs (5-10 min). The cafe will be serving hot fruit punch, mince pies, and other tasty treats. Free entry. Black Book Cafe, Nelson Street, Stroud. Contact: 01453 764509, www.kevanmanwaring.co.uk, www.thehistorypress.co.uk
Monday 19 November
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Saturday 27 October
Between Worlds. An evening of songs, poems, and stories for Hallowe’en, Samhain, the Celtic New Year. Music from Dark Island and Harvey & Vaisey, storytelling from Anthony Nanson, and much more. Imperial Hotel, Station Road, Stroud. 8.00 p.m. Entry: £4. Contact: Alex 01453 889326.
Monday 15 October
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Friday 28 September
EarthNight. A bi-monthly evening of music, poetry, storytelling, with a talk and an art/craft exhibition. The aim of this event is to make connections between the arts and the green movement. The arts have a role to play, alongside environmental action, in accelerating the changes we need to make to preserve the life of the earth. Guest speaker: Martin Whiteside. Guest musicians: Tritette. Featured poet: Peter Adams. Guest MC: Anthony Nanson. Open floor for six poets (please sign up at 7.30 p.m.) plus extra time for two poets selected by the audience. Imperial Hotel, Station Road, Stroud. 7.30-10.00 p.m. £3. Contact: Peter, 01452 813355, peter@adams9.free-online.co.uk
Monday 17 September
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Friday 14 September
Stroud’s Story Cabaret. Acclaimed storyteller Fiona Collins and musician Jem Hammond present ‘Tales and Tunes from North Wales: The Legend of Pryderi’. Journey through all four branches of the ancient Welsh story cycle, the Mabinogi. We follow the hero Pryderi through a land of enchantment with tales of mystery and sorcery. Floor spots welcomed - bring a story, song, or poem (no reading!) - or just come to listen. Open House (British School), Gloucester Street, Stroud. 7.30 p.m. (doors 7.00 p.m.). £6 (£5 concessions). Refreshments available. Bookings: 01453 834793.
Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 September
Composting Culture: Literature, Nature, Popular Culture, Science - The 2012 conference of the Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment (UK and Ireland) will explore the extent to which correspondences between more complex ecological understanding and cultural forms might be evident, most particularly, in non-canonical texts, or previously unexplored linkages between theories and texts, or in the upcycling of established literary or cultural forms, movements, and writers. Keynote speakers include: Thierry Bardini, Jed Rasula, Helen S. Lanier, and Molly Scott-Cato. Anthony will present a paper entitled ‘Composting Dragons: Recovery and Eco-radicalisation of Oral Folklore in a Gloucestershire Landscape’. University of Worcester. Contact: j.parham@worc.ac.uk; d.arnold@worc.ac.uk
Monday 20 August
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Saturday 4 August
Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Storyteller Anthony Nanson tells stories from his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales, including the legend of ‘The Bisley Boy’, in which Sudeley Castle plays an important part. Anthony will also talk about how he researched the book, published by the History Press, and there will be time for questions and discussion. (The stories are aimed mainly at an adult audience.) Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe. 2.00 p.m. Info: 01242 602308, www.sudeleycastle.co.uk <http://www.sudeleycastle.co.uk>
Sunday 22 July
Tales of a Tudor Night. Have you heard about the lass who had a giant pet maggot? Or the tragic romance of the young lovers who met at Acton Court? Or the scandalous secret of Queen Elizabeth I? Join Fire Springs storytellers Anthony Nanson and Kirsty Hartsiotis (authors of Gloucestershire Folk Tales and Wiltshire Folk Tales) to hear a sparkling medley of local tales that could well have been told at Acton Court in its Tudor heyday. Acton Court, Iron Acton, South Gloucestershire. Performances at 2.30 and 4.00 p.m. Tickets £7 (£5 concessions). Suitable for adults and children over 11. Contact: 01454 228224, info@actioncourt.com <mailto:info@actioncourt.com>, www.actoncourt.com <http://www.actoncourt.com>
Monday 16 July
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Thursday 5 July
Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Storyteller Anthony Nanson tells stories hilarious and mysterious from his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales, published by the History Press. He will also talk about how he researched the stories and their locations across the county, and there will be time for questions and discussion. (The stories are aimed mainly at an adult audience.) Waterstone’s, Cirencester. 7.00 p.m. Entry free. Contact: 0843 290 8241. www.thehistorypress.co.uk <http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/>
Friday 29 June
Other Voices, Other Times: Exploring Representation in Historical and Fantasy Writing. The Centre for Contemporary Writing at Bath Spa University is holding a one-day interdisciplinary symposium to explore the challenges of representing other worlds, either historical or imagined. Keynote speakers include the poet and novelist Gerard Woodward, screenwriter Ashley Pharoah, and novelist Fay Weldon. Anthony Nanson and Kevan Manwaring will present papers on aspects of writing fantasy. Corsham Court, Corsham. Contact: c.brayfield@bathspa.ac.uk or mimi.thebo@bathspa.ac.uk
Monday 18 June
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Wednesday 30 May
Folk Tales. Magical monthly event at which six freshly picked performers offer scintillating stories and soulful songs to celebrate the blossoming of summer by Bristol's harbour. Including this month a tale or two of Gloucestershire from Anthony. 8.00 p.m. £4. The Scout Hut, Redcliffe Wharf, Bristol. Contact: martinjmaudsley@gmail.com
Wednesday 23 May
Stroud Story Cabaret. Storytellers Fiona Eadie, Kirsty Hartsiotis, Diana Humphrey, and Anthony Nanson team up with Bath painter Ione Parkin RWA to present Without This Art: stories of art, craft and making - a compilation of story and image designed specially for the Site Festival, exploring two of the deep impulses that define us as human - making art and telling stories. The stories - traditional, historical, and personal - tell of art, of craft, and of the makers themselves, complemented by projected images of Ione’s magnificent abstract paintings. This event is also YOUR chance to shine. Floor spots are welcomed - bring a story (max. 10 minutes), song, poem, or tune; the only rule is no reading! Or just come to listen. ‘The British School’, Gloucester Street, Stroud. 8.00 p.m. (doors 7.30 p.m.). £6 (£5 concessions). Refreshments from Star Anise Arts Cafe. Tickets: 01453 840021. Information: 01453 840887.
Monday 21 May
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Saturday 19 May
Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Storyteller Anthony Nanson tells stories hilarious and mysterious from his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales, published by the History Press. He will also talk about how he researched the stories and their locations across the county, and there will be time for questions and discussion. (The stories are aimed mainly at an adult audience.) Waterstone’s, Gloucester. 11.00 a.m. Entry free. Contact: 0843 290 8347. www.thehistorypress.co.uk <http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/>
Thursday 17 May
The Well of the Saint and the Well of the Snake: Ecological Enchantment of a Local Landscape. Anthony Nanson describes what happened when research for his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales took him out into the landscape - and townscape - to see how the actuality and ecology of place could help to bring alive a county’s old and often forgotten folktales, and how at the same time the telling of the tales could re-enchant places associated with them and give voice to questions of ecological ethics that were latent in the stories. Lecture at George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling, University of Glamorgan, Cardiff. 5.30 p.m. Contact: storytelling@glam.ac.uk
Wednesday 16 May
Somerset and Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Join Sharon Jacksties and Anthony Nanson for the Bath launch of their respective new books, Somerset Folk Tales and Gloucestershire Folk Tales, published by the History Press. Includes author talks, stories, question time, and refreshments. Waterstone’s, Milsom Street, Bath. 6.30 p.m. Entry free. Contact: 0843 290 8139. www.thehistorypress.co.uk <http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/>
Saturday 5 May
Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Join Anthony Nanson to hear stories from his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales, published by the History Press. Includes author talk, stories, and question time. (The stories are aimed primarily for adults.) Stroud Bookshop, High Street, Stroud. 11.00 a.m. Entry free. Contact: 01453 756646. www.thehistorypress.co.uk <http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/>
Saturday 28 April
Gloucestershire Folk Tales. Join Anthony Nanson for the launch of his new book Gloucestershire Folk Tales, published by the History Press. Includes author talk, stories, and question time. (The stories are aimed primarily for adults.) Waterstone’s, Promenade, Cheltenham. 11.00 a.m. Contact: 0843 290 8227. Entry free. www.thehistorypress.co.uk <http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/>
Monday 23 April
Spirits of Place. Did you know that monks could fly? That strange beasts lurk in the Forest of Dean? Or that ancient gods dwelt on the Downs? A sparkling evening of tales from Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire by three of the region’s fine storytellers. Fire Springs members Anthony Nanson, Kirsty Hartsiotis and Kevan Manwaring have scoured the three counties for their collections of Folk Tales, published by the History Press. Whether a newcomer to the region or a long-term resident, you'll never look at your neck of the woods in the same way again. Hawkwood College, Stroud. 7.30 p.m. (doors) for 8.00 p.m. £8 (£6 concessions).Tickets: 01453 759034; www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk/events/
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 April
Folklore & Fantasy - This joint conference of the Folklore Society and the Sussex Centre for Folklore, Fairy Tales & Fantasy, will investigate and celebrate the relationships between folklore and fantasy in literature, tradition, art, folk narrative, TV, and film. Keynote speaker: Kate Forsyth. Special guest of honour: Jacqueline Simpson. Anthony will present a paper entitled ‘Spoken Fantasy or Living Lore?’ University of Chichester, Bishop Otter Campus, College Lane, Chichester. Contact: enquiries@folklore-society.com
Thursday 12 April
Ariadne’s Thread. Launch party for a new literary magazine published by Armando Halpern, featuring readings by contributors. The first edition includes a short story by Anthony. First floor, Old Ship, King Street, Richmond. 8.00 p.m. Entry free. www.ariadnethread.net
Monday 19 March
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Sunday 11th March
Forgotten Lives, Inspiring Stories: Memory, History, Legend. Take a trip back through time to meet, in person, an astonishing assembly of the city’s forgotten and half-remembered denizens. Adventurers and inventors, kings and clerics, writers and visionaries, they’ll all be here to tell their own true stories - brought back to life by Bath’s own storytelling company, Fire Springs, in this performance specially commissioned for Bath Literature Festival. Holburne Museum, Bath. 3.30-5.00 p.m. £5 (£4). Tickets: 01225 463362.
Friday 2 March
Forgotten Lives, Inspiring Stories: New Breath for Vanished Voices. Celebrate the forgotten corners of history in an inspiring spoken-word performance, hosted by Bath bard and convenor of the Bath Storytelling Circle, David Metcalfe, under the auspices of Bath Literature Festival. Students from Bath Spa University and performance artists from Fire Springs respond creatively to people and events from the city’s memory. Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institute, Bath. 12.30-1.30 p.m. Entry free. Contact: 01225 463362.
Monday 20 February
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Monday 16 January
Bath Storytelling Circle upstairs at the Raven, Bath. 7.45 for 8.15 p.m. Entry free. Contact: David 01225 482170
Thursday 5 January
Turning the Wheel / Wintergeschichten aus dem Jahreskreis. Kevan Manwaring, Karola Renard und Anthony Nanson sind Buchautoren, Performance Storytellers und Teil der englischen Künstler-Kooperative Awen Publications. Sie verstehen sich als moderne Barden, die mit dem geschriebenen und gesprochenen Wort eintreten für einen bewussten, achtsamen Umgang mit der eigenen Kultur und ihren vergessenen Traditionen, für ein ganzheitliches Leben im Einklang mit der Umwelt und eine zukunftsfähige, nachhaltige und kreative Gemeinschaft. Zentralbibliothek, Münsterstraße, Cassius-Bastei, Bonn. 19.30 Uhr. Eintritt frei. www.bonn.de/stadtbibliothek