Renowned storyteller Martin Maudsley and a group of young makers, invite you to explore craft, hear stories and watch films inspired by local woodland.
On Saturday 2 July from 10-3pm, ‘Stories From The Woods’ - a project that originated in Highfield Country Park - will be taken to the Whitworth. The project seeks to reflect the changing of seasons through oral storytelling and traditional making.
In the Clore Garden Studio, children from St Mary’s RC Primary will display original works made by hand. The pupils have learnt about rare skills and techniques that the Heritage Crafts Association has deemed endangered. Each young maker will present their craft on a stall alongside sketches and written works. Specialisms include foraging, besom broom making, charcoal making, wreath making, coppicing, whittling, clay and willow bark weaving — making use of renewable resources sourced locally in the woods.
Outside in the Art Garden, professional storyteller Martin Maudsley will perform in half hour slots throughout the day. Bring along the family at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm or 2pm. Martin leads the ‘Seasonal Schools’ project for environmental arts charity Common Ground and regularly brings to life local legends and earthy folk tales using poetry, music and song. Each story helps children to notice seasonal changes and form a lifelong connection with nature. Highly entertaining, informative and the results are magical!
A series of films produced by local filmmaker Jack Jackson of Polite Films will also be aired. The footage includes 12 seasonal stories told by Martin around a campfire at Highfield Country Park, Levenshulme. Plus 8 heritage craft films featuring the young makers discussing their environmental projects in more depth.