The Menu for 2024!
 STORYTELLER LAUREATE AND PATRON - STORYTELLING SUPPER FRIDAY - TALECOAT STORIES SATURDAY DAY
With over 300 traditional stories many of them woven into his magnificent story coat, Taffy’s head is bursting with stories, riddles and folklore. The first Storyteller Laureate, the artistic director of Tales in Trust, doyen of the Storyteller’s Garden in Grasmere and teller of tales on four continents, Taffy Thomas MBE is also the Patron of the East Anglian Storytelling Festival.
This year, accompanied by the musician Mossy Christian, Taffy will be hosting a Storytelling Supper: - a mouthful of stories all washed down with a delicious home-cooked three-course meal at the Food Museum Stowmarket, on the 17th of May 2024. This intimate and inspiring event will transport you into a world of stories: the perfect start to our festival. ‘You and me, me and you, we all bring something to the stew, From the tales we tell, to the food we’ve got, we all bring something to the pot.’ |
 SCIENTIST AND STORYTELLER - A TALE FROM THE FUTURE - SATURDAY EVE, SUNDAY DAYTIME
Karin Lundengård is that rare thing, a researcher in computational biology who happens to be an accomplished storyteller, with a repertoire ranging from personal memories, to old Viking myths and folklore, and weird tidbits from the deeper levels of Wikipedia. She believes the first training a scientist should get is in the arts, because at its core, scientific research should be helping us to build pathways into new worlds we’d never imagined. In this brand new commission, she considers how memory can carry beyond your own lifetime and how to craft a new myth carrying warnings of the nuclear dangers our civilisation has stored deep underground. |
 TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCE STORYTELLER - SAT DAY AND EVENING, SUNDAY
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After winning 'Young Storyteller of the Year' at 16, Amy Douglas apprenticed to world-renowned traditional Scots Traveller storyteller and ballad-singer, Duncan Williamson, and now holds many of his stories and ballads in trust. An award-winning author and storyteller, Amy has been instrumental in the modern British storytelling landscape as performer, promoter and advocate. ‘Travelling Together’ Amy Douglas Amy remembers her apprenticeship with traveler and storyteller Duncan Williamson The unusual friendship between a Shropshire teenager and a Scots Traveller. Amy shares reminiscences of learning to drive, make pegs, drink special brew and coping with sleep deprivation alongside an ever-present flow of story, song and history. https://youtu.be/3L_UkSX40-Y |
 POET, STORYTELLER AND ARTS WORKER - FRI EVE, SAT AND SUNDAY DAYTIME
John Row is a veteran of the U.K. festival scene and a familiar figure at Glastonbury Festival Kidz Field and Cambridge Folk Festival, where he has been performing for nearly thirty years.
He has been part of almost every festival in East Anglia since the days of the Albion Fairs in the 80s, and since then has gone global as the collector of stories from Romania, artistic director of the World Storytelling Festival in Marrakech and curator of the online World Storytelling Café, which he will bring on a visit to this year’s East Anglian Storytelling Festival. |
WORD WEAVER, EDUCATOR AND TRADITION BEARER - FRIDAY EVE, SATURDAY EVE, SUNDAY DAY
A Drut’syla (storyteller) and tradition-bearer from the Yiddish oral tradition, Shonaleigh has been telling stories within the secular world for almost thirty years across Europe, North America and New Zealand.
She was shortlisted for the Arts Foundation Award in 2009 and was UK deputy National Storytelling Laureate 2010-12. She has also completed commissions for the British Library, the British Museum, Festival at the Edge, and Hay-on-Wye Literature Festival, and is a regular contributor to BBC Arts programmes. Shonaleigh is currently Artistic Director at the House of the West Wind. |
 PUPPETS AND STORIES - FOR ALL AGES - SATURDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON
Grethe Mangala Jensen aka Sandal Sticks Theatre ( a name she chose to honour her part Sri Lankan heritage and all things sandal wood ) , is a professional actor, puppeteer and storyteller with many year experience performing for children and adults in the UK and abroad.
Much of her inspiration comes from many years of working in children's theatre and from observing children's imaginative play in schools and early years settings. She likes everyone to join in to make the stories come alive in a theatrical and playful way. Saturday 11.00 - Little Red Cap and the Wolf: Little Red Cap is travelling through the magical forest, to visit her grandmother with goodies! Something is lurking in the bushes however: what could it be?... age 3+ Saturday 3.00 - The Little Mermaid: Join Grethe on an interactive storytelling journey deep in the ocean, to meet a mermaid with a special talent … singing! Every year on her birthday she swims up to the surface of the sea: but one year she sees something that changes her life forever… Age 3+ |
 ZAHRA AFSAH - PERSIAN STORIES - FRIDAY EVE, FAMILY STORIES - SATURDAY DAY
Zahra was born and raised in Tehran. She studied Art and Archaeology at SOAS and in 2016 completed her second MA in Persian Painting and Transcultural Visuality at the Courtauld Institute of Art. Her MA dissertation examines the links between oral storytelling and Persian miniature painting, exploring the direct influences of the oral tradition in the Khamseh of Nizami of 1494-95. For more, click on Zahra |
 MOSSY CHRISTIAN - STORYTELLING SUPPER FRIDAY, & SATURDAY WITH TAFFY
In demand for festivals, folk clubs, and house concerts – traditional songs interspersed with a charming mix of tunes and stories from Lincolnshire and beyond.
“A lovely singer, brilliant musician. Audience comments were very complimentary; some just stunned with a ‘WOW’ and some requested a repeat visit” John Bentham, Tigerfolk https://www.facebook.com/MossyChristianMusic/ |
 GYPSY DAWN RISING - SAT AM, TAKING THE TRADITION ON - SUNDAY AM, YOUTH THEATRE OUTREACH - HAT TRICK SUNDAY PM
Dan Allum is a Romany Gypsy. He grew up in a travelling family and first began working as a child to help earn a living before taking on all manner of jobs from landscape gardening to scrap metal dealing. Then in his teens he made a life changing decision: He taught himself to read. This led to him attending university, gaining a B.A. (Hons.) Degree and going on to become an award-winning writer, working with the BBC, ITV, the National Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre and the Royal Opera House. His work now spans theatre, TV and radio. Since 2003 Dan has run the Romany Theatre Company where he writes, directs and produces original plays, often with a Romany Gypsy theme. He is passionate about keeping the Romani language alive and therefore includes the language in a number of his productions. Dan believes that by using his life experiences and out-of-the-box strategies, he can help others achieve their goals, re-evaluate fixed beliefs, and find their own success and happiness. Motivational speaker - Dan is an award winning Producer, Director, Writer and Composer (danallum.co.uk) |
 ART WORKSHOP SAT AND SUN DAY - HERE THERE BE DRAGONS!
Saturday and Sunday all day
Prickwillow ArtSpace: Family art workshop with dragons, Saturday and
Sunday all day. Set your dragon free by making dragon themed kites and puppets. And, on Sunday afternoon help to wake up the giant dragon and join in the grand dragon procession |
 SPOKEN WORD OF THE SOUL. SPOKEN WORD MC SAT PM - SATURDAY EVE
TriggerBliss fuses spoken word with other art forms to inspire healing, conscious thought, and authentic expression. TriggerBliss facilitates accessible and inclusive intergenerational creative well-being activities that support the mental and emotional welbeing of the wider community. Follow TriggerBliss on Instagram @triggeryourbliss or Facebook Trigger Your Bliss.
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 SPOKEN WORD - POETRY/RAP. SATURDAY PM
A 25yr old poet, rap artist and music producer with a wide variety of material, some will bring tears to your eyes while some will make you want to jump up and dance.
Byron Hand aka Mic Master Lyon is a local Suffolk artist, who's been honing his skills for many years, to be ready for this opportunity to grace your hearts with his words and music. Find him on Facebook |
 OUTREACH AND PEFORMANCE AT THE FESTIVAL - SUNDAY PM
Paula Baker of Footprints Theatre company, in collaboration with Romani-heritage writer and broadcaster Dan Allum and Glenys Newton of the Around Suffolk in 40 Stories project will work with a group of young people to create a site-specific theatre piece, to be performed at the festival, in response to the Museum’s collection of traveller caravans and building on themes of a detective story set in a traveller community, suggested by Dan.
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 STORYTELLER - SAT EVE, SUNDAY DAY - LOVE QUEERNESS AND THE BEAUTY OF PEOPLE
Aaron Oliver is a London based storyteller, spinning tales of love, queerness, and the beauty of people. Drawing from his experience as a bi trans man, Aaron dabbles both in ancient myths and legends, unlocking the queer subtext buried within—and in original tales, taking inspiration from these traditional narratives to tell stories which often go unrepresented in the genre. Aaron performs in a large variety of venues, from libraries to theatres, community centres to cabarets, and is passionate about connecting people to storytelling now the same way they were when these stories were written.
"Oliver is a talented storyteller who understands the nuance and language of fairytales, and their stories are simply engrossing" -Broadway Baby |
 STORIES COMIC AND QUIRKY. OPEN MIC MC FRIDAY PM & SATURDAY DAY
GERRY DONLON aka Bards Aloud, is a Suffolk based Irish storyteller and poet. He is founder and co-host of Storytelling with Bards Aloud, a monthly gathering in Ipswich, co-founder of The East Anglian Storytelling Festival and also founder of Poetree Walks with Bards in the Woods. He has performed at many major festivals, including: The East Anglian Storytelling Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Folk East, Jimmy's Festival, the Glens storytelling Festival, Scalta Beo and the Spirit of Beowulf Festival.
He has an array of original and hybrid tales, described as stories comic and stories quirky suitable for both children and adults. |
 STORY TRAIL ALL WEEKEND - AND STRAIGHT TRACK SUNDAY AM
SARAH LLOYD- WINDER
I am a professional storyteller who performs at many different venues from bars and small fringe venues to arts centres, festivals, and schools, as well as online. I tell stories from Folklore, Myth and Legend mixed with real people. During Covid I brought together a group of storytellers who tell stories live on zoom every month. The storytellers have come from different parts of the UK and the world. I have recently completed a project supported by the Arts Council and South Somerset District Council. This used stories embedded in QR codes to create a story trail. Sarah will be bringing us story walking in the fabulous grounds! https://sarahlloydwinderstoryteller.com/ |
 OUTREACH AND AT THE FESTIVAL TOO!
As part of our festival outreach, VI storyteller Tony Finn will visit groups county-wide for people of all ages with visual impairments, co-ordinated by Suffolk Sight, https://www.suffolksight.org.uk He will talk to them about his life as a storyteller registered blind, tell some stories, and show how he does not let disability stand in the way of a rich and fulfilling life, engaging with the community around him.
The first thing most people notice about Tony Finn is the great stories he tells – funny, engaging, thought-provoking repertoire of tall stories, traditional stories and personal anecdotes. The second thing would have to be Yoda, Tony’s much loved dog, like Tony a regular visitor at the East Anglian Storytelling Festival. The fact that Tony is registered blind often comes way down the list. In this session he might explain how young Jack got the better of a Giant, what happened when Albert met the Lion, or how the Nightingale got its song. He will also talk about how visual impairment has been no barrier to his enjoyment of a good story, and the pitfalls and pleasures of negotiating the life of a sight-impaired storyteller |
 SCHOOLS OUTREACH, SUPER GREAT KIDS STORIES (SAT DAY) AND STRAIGHT TRACK (SUN)
Hannah is a professional storyteller and actor based in Southend on Sea, who tells both traditional and modern tales to young and old alike. Driven by a passion to engage and inspire communities with storytelling, she draws on her acting background to take her audiences on playful and poignant journeys into folk, fairy, wonder tales and myths and legends from around the world. She has performed at numerous festivals including Cambridge Folk Festival, Leigh Folk Festival, Into The Wild Festival, Strawbear Festival and The East Anglian Storytelling Festival. https://www.hannahbrailsfordstoryteller.com |
 LIBRARY OUTREACH AND TREASURER
Chris began telling stories to audiences some 5 years ago, but considers that he's been storytelling in his personal and professional life since his teens. He likes to tell tales he feels he can bring his love of language to but also feel rooted in. However, this can take many forms - from local legends set in the geography of his own East Anglia, to the cultural familiarity of Anglo Saxon sagas and on to the enduring bond of father and son just as important in Daedalus and Icarus as it is in Chris's own family life. He has told the saga of Wayland at the EASF festival of 2018 as well as other Suffolk and Essex events, schools and story circles. |
 SCHOOLS OUTREACH, SUPER GREAT KIDS STORIES (SAT DAY) AND STRAIGHT TRACK (SUN DAY)
Dave Tonge is a jobbing teller of tales. An itinerant journeyman who performs at festivals, museums, heritage sites and schools. From Lindisfarne Holy Island in the north, to Arundel Castle in the south, he works regularly for English Heritage and national museums like the Ashmolean and British Museum. He has written three books, Tudor Folk Tales, Norfolk Folk tales for Children and Medieval Folk tales for Children, with a forth, Trickster Tales From Many Lands, due in 2025. Dave specialises in telling period rich and often irreverent tales shared by the poorer folk long ago, at heritage sites and is particularly interested in bringing storytelling to wider non storytelling audiences. But he can also be heard at storytelling events including Taffy Thomas’s Tales in Trust, Festival at the Edge and Settle Storytelling Festival. That said, many of his performances still have an historical flavour with sets like Tavern Yard Tales and Dame Fortunes Wheel.
https://www.facebook.com/dave.tonge.3 http://www.theyarnsmithofnorwich.com/Welcome.html |
 MC GLADE STAGE, LIBRARY OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR
Roisin has listened to and told stories ever since she was small, which is a long time ago now. A professional life working in many countries meant she collected traditional stories with people from a range of cultures who heard them from their parents and grandparents. She has been professionally telling stories for over 25 years now, in diverse places – from the East Midlands to the Middle East to a wide range of ages from babies to 90 year olds. Having spent many years living and working all around the UK she has now based in Mid-Norfolk. She tells , both traditional and self-authored tales in community, heritage and environmental settings. |
 SUPER GREAT KIDS STORIES (SAT) THE STRAIGHT TRACK OF STORIES (SUN)
A native of East Anglia, Shane has been using ‘applied storytelling’ for some 28 years, firstly as a Social Worker, when in the mid 90’s, Shane went to Canada and was invited to an indigenous storytelling circle, which began his true journey into story. Using applied storytelling in the intervening years as a Qualified Therapist, until approximately 12 years ago, when Shane undertook professionally training in storytelling. Since then Shane has shared stories in, Holland, Morocco, Sweden, Northern and Southern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Sri Lanka. Shane has been a ‘Resident Storyteller’ for 7 years, in Outdoor Alternative Education settings and this year he is the, ‘Storyteller in Residence’, for Haverhill Arts Centre. A regular at many UK festivals, he is also the curator for storytelling at a large UK festival and has curated numerous smaller storytelling events across East Anglia.
“Rewilding, one story at a time”. www.storytellershane.co.uk |
 VERONICA CHAMBERS - MC FIREPIT STORIES SAT AND SUN, STRAIGHT TRACK OF STORY SUNDAY
Veronica Chambers, a storyteller originally from the wilds of Wicklow in Ireland, honed her skills in the schoolyard, spinning tales that now captivate audiences as a co-host and workshop coordinator at Bards Aloud in Ipswich.
With roots in a family integral to the Irish Cultural renaissance and a background in local work with migrant communities, Veronica ignites imaginations and connects audiences through the magic of storytelling. Her animated style weaves traditional folklore and personal anecdotes into engaging, thought-provoking performances suitable for all ages. |
 JONATHAN LAMBERT - STORYTELLER AND MUSIC FRIDAY EVENING, SUNDAY WITH PERCUSSIONIST DAN HILTON
Musician, composer and storyteller. I began telling professionally in schools in 2010 and now perform regularly for children and adults. In 2013 I founded Hare Moon Storytelling Camp, a small, annual festival which takes place in Cambridgeshire. I also host Males' Tales, a monthly storytelling round for men, with Amrita Illingworth. I developed my first solo show, Dark Matters, in 2017 and then collaborated with Amrita on a set of arctic tales called The Frozen North which I now perform solo. As part of a mixed economy I create soundtracks for theatre and short films. Founder of the Hare Moon Storytelling Camp, and host of Norwich-based Males Tales, Jonathan Lambert is a musician, composer and storyteller well known around the region. https://lamsound.com/ |
 THE STRAIGHT TRACK OF STORY (SUN)
Justine de Mierre, Storyteller
Justine is a passionate, energetic and inventive performer who delights in connecting playfully with audiences and artists through her storytelling, improvisation, hosting and music. With over 25 years professional performance experience, Justine came to storytelling from a background in community and street theatre. Her storytelling practice So… what’s the story? has seen her telling and hosting at festivals and events nationally and internationally including the International Storytelling Festival in Marrakech, Storyseed Festival in Timisoara Romania (European Capital of Culture programme), Cambridge Folk Festival, Leigh Folk Festival, Bath Literary Festival, Edinburgh Literary Festival, Folk East and The National Centre for the Folk Arts at Halsway. Her eclectic storytelling work ranges from telling and facilitating in schools, libraries and prisons, to performing raucous adults only one-woman storytelling shows, to facilitating story sharing through drama for learning disabled people. Her love of live, spontaneous, responsive performance and supporting others to do the same runs through her other performance practices: running courses with her improv company The Unqualified Yes, and hosting joyously eclectic open mic and variety events – online and in person - which bring together new and experienced performers to collaborate across spoken work, improv and music. www.justinedemierre.com www.sowhatsthestory.co.uk |
CB JACKSON - NEW VOICES 12.30 SUNDAY
A year ago CB Jackson accidentally dropped into a storytelling event. Over the course of an evening listening to two extraordinary storytellers, he realised that he actually already told stories himself – and what’s more it was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. A trip to the East Anglian Storytelling Festival 2023, an apprenticeship at Bards Aloud club in Ipswich, and a year later, Jackson is one of our festival new voices, with a definitely new and distinctive style.
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 Psychedelic Celtic Fusion - MUSIC ALL WEEKEND
‘Aartwork uniquely blends Celtic and jazz elements, combined with their use of traditional instruments and modern beats. Aartwork have an innovative approach to creating music.’ This is where folk meets drum and bass, reggae and jungle. The result is hard not to dance to.
Aartwork’s genre is quite unique but can be described as Psychedelic Celtic Fusion. https://www.aartwork.co.uk/ |
 SUNDAY MUSIC
We are pleased to welcome Stookey Blue for the 3rd time to our festival - we love what they do! The band takes its name from a cockle from Stiffkey, a village on the North Norfolk coast often pronounced 'Stookey' or 'Stewkey'. The cockleshell has a distinctive blue tint due to the mud on the Norfolk coast. Stookey Blue is a fun, vibrant folk band, performing music or playing for ceilidhs across East Anglia, We love the folk music of the UK and you'll hear us play a mix of Irish, Scottish and English music, with the occasional European tune. We mix lively jigs, reels and hornpipes, as well as beautiful airs and waltzes. Traditional music and storytelling are the perfect combination for a little magic! |
 ROVING FESTIVAL ARTIST
Tonka Uzu (aka Antoaneta Ouzounova) is an author/illustrator and art educator based in Cambridge. Her picture books have been published in the UK, Italy and Singapore. Tonka is one of Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination's team of artist facilitators and works with schools, museums, libraries, festivals, organisations and in the community. In addition to drawing, Tonka loves storytelling, performance and circus. She has collaborated with NIE theatre, The Flying Carpet Festival in South-EasternTurkey, and is part of a brand new live-drawing storytelling show with Marion Leeper.
You will find Tonka out and about at the festival with her sketchbook: we can’t wait to see ourselves how Tonka sees us! |
 COFFEE VAN AND AUDIO EXPERIENCE - YOUR HOST NICK HENNESSEY - STORYTELLER
Like a good coffee? Like a good story? Then why not both at once!
Word in Your Ear is a coffee van with a difference. Imagine sitting outside with a hot drink, lost in an immersive audio experience. Not only can you sup a tea, hot chocolate or a barista coffee, from a fantastic artisan Cumbrian bean roasters but you can stick on a pair of headsets and immerse yourself in stories and soundscapes. During the pandemic Nick became fascinated by how to tell stories online and has been building a library of recordings that sit as easy on the ear as a flat-white on the tongue. The headsets used can switch between multiple channels, so if you’re all storied out then at the touch of the button you could be listening to the ‘Place of the Day’ finding yourself surrounded by curlews on the beach, or deep in the woods on a windy day, or hearing the skylark untangle it’s golden thread of song above the fields. Our headliner in 2021, we are delighted to welcome Nick Hennessey back to our festival! |
 FABULOUS FOOD
Freshness and Flavour in Every Bite At Cooking with Arthane, we believe that the freshest ingredients make all the difference in flavour and nutrition. That's why we source our ingredients from local farmers and markets, ensuring that every dish is bursting with flavour and goodness. https://www.cookingwitharthane.com/ |
 CHILLOUT ZONE WITH CRAFTS, BOOKS AND BEANBAGS SAT SUN CHILLOUT ZONE
Suffolk Libraries and Ipswich Book Group will be providing a space for those moments when you just have to drop everything and read a book! Their chillout zone will feature beanbags, low-key craft activities, plenty of books to read, and even a volunteer to read you a story.
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 DANEGELD MORRIS - SATURDAY
Started in mid-October 1988, we are a Morris side that dances in the north-west style of clog morris. We first danced out at The White Lion in Ufford, Suffolk in June 1989 and since then we have danced in over 10 different countries (as well as on boats on the high seas).We dance at a wide variety of both official and unofficial events and have currently got about 20 regular members.
Danegeld North West Morris |
 GREEN DRAGON MORRIS - SUNDAY
Green Dragon Morris was formed in 1993 with a view to creating a mixed group of men and women dancers with a different style to the other established West Suffolk sides. Experienced and totally novice dancers struggled with rants, capers and sticking whilst experimenting with various styles and dances. We were smiling and laughing most during the North West and Border dances so we decided to combine those styles plus anything else that takes our fancy.. As with all traditions we have moved on from those beginnings and have created and borrowed dances from other sides .. ABOUT | greendragonmorris |
 YOGA FOR ALL IN THE CHILLOUT ZONE - DROP IN AND SESSIONS 4pm SAT SUN
Yogability We aim to provide safe movement & mindfulness for all, no matter your age, gender, size or belief. From bad backs, tight hips through to sore shoulders there's something we can do together.  CREATURE COMFORTS
Chris Mastricci of the Creature Comforts stall will be offering cuddly WARM DUVETS to buy or rent– all in aid of recycling and minimising waste! And the wonderful folk at the Food Museum have invested in some ENORMOUS HEATERS to take the chill off the Barn in the first place. So wrap up warm, bring a flask of something hot, sit back in your seats and let the stories warm you through and through. |
 HOLLY D JOHNSTON - LIBRARY OUTREACH
Holly Dee is a storyteller and singer who tells quirky fun tales matched with songs to delight. Favouring stories about animals and tales to live by, Holly uses folk instruments to elevate her telling. Holly D Johnston is known on the Folk scene as a singer of stories and captivating performer. She is a songwriter and a storyteller and morphs between live music, storytelling and poetry. Holly’s heartfelt lyrics woven together in memorable tunes are sung with a voice that is warm, ethereal and passionate. Holly gives listeners an intimate, thought provoking show, whether in a small folk club style or to large, sold out events. Holly’s songs deliver: 'hauntingly exact observations... with poetic candour'. Her voice is repeatedly praised as 'mellow, clear and expressive', her sound: ‘seductive and enthralling’. ‘An amazing talent’. https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollydjohnston/?originalSubdomain=uk |
