The following storytellers have all enthralled children in schools throughout London during Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month. They have also been main speakers and performers at Conferences and provided training for teachers.
Taffy Thomas MBE
Already, the grand old man of stories, Taffy Thomas, MBE, – who is also a regular contributor to Scholastic’s Literacy Time PLUS – is getting ready to enthuse and entertain about storytelling.
"It is with huge pleasure that I accept the invitation to become the first Storytelling Laureate," he said. "Over the two years, I will do all within my power to promote the art and to encourage the passing on of both repertoire and skills. I will endeavour to lay a firm foundation for future storytelling laureates and believe this is an exciting new development for storytelling, and I am delighted and honoured to be involved at the start of a new chapter in the life of our art."
Seven gifts
As Laureate for Storytelling, Taffy will also receive seven wonderful objects as a gift, including: 1kg bag of dried beans, a simple compass, a packet of love hearts, a clear glass bottle, a tall white candle, a silver, lucky charm bracelet and a whistle.
Taffy will no doubt be putting some of those objects to good use during his official two year term of office as he undertakes official engagements across the length and breadth of the UK.
Will Coleman
Will Coleman is a former Deputy Headteacher and has been a free lance arts and educational consultant since 2001. He is the Director for Brave Tales Ltd and has published the Brave Tales CD Rom ; a toolkit for teachers. Will Coleman is the author of Developing Literacy through Storytelling. He has won 'Media Innovation' award with ‘Tales from Porth’ and is the place-based education ambassador’ for Carnegie Trust UK
Miranda Quinney
I am a professional storyteller with experience of working with children of pre-school and primary school age. My workshops have taken place in schools, nurseries and at private events. I love stories and the thrill of sharing them with children (and their parents more often than not!) Performing stories with children is a special experience, you never quite know what the children will contribute to the story and so it could go anywhere. The challenge is to keep the children engaged and interested, my sessions certainly seem to spark their imaginations.
Kate Corkery
Kate is a storyteller and singer who, since 1990 has been delighting audiences of all ages throughout the British Isles with her engaging performances of stories and songs, riddles and rhymes.
Originally from Cork, Kate has a wealth of Irish myths, legends and folktales to share.
All performances are geared to specific age ranges, involving lots of audience participation. Kate’s training as a language teacher and her experience as a professional actress with many stage and screen credits enhance her versatility as a performer and co-ordinator of workshops.
These are designed to share the joy of storytelling with children, parents and teachers.
Alex Pascall
Alex is a playwright, percussionist/vocalist, and songwriter; he has served as an executive member of the National Union of Journalist and is the Chairman of its Black Members Council. Alex was awarded the OBE for his services to community relations through his broadcasting and journalistic work.
Storytellers from the Gypsy, Roma & Traveller communities
Jess Smith
Jess Smith is a traditional storyteller from Scotland's Perthshire Travelling people. Her past lifestyle which is now extinct was working the land. This closeness to nature taught her many things about the body's hidden senses and thankfully she have never lost them.
Jess Smith has been storytelling on a professional basis for several years and “ can just about tell a tale anywhere: schools, universities, churches, yurts, festivals, fields , beaches to name a few...”
Awards
Kirriemuir - winner of the Doric Verse 2004.
TMSA (Traditional Music and Song Association) Keith Festival 2003 - winner of women's singing and storytelling cup.
Keith Festival - winner of storytelling cup in 2002.
Richard O’Neill
Richard was born into a large Gypsy Travelling family in the North East. Richard followed a traditional travelling lifestyle, before settling in the North West.
Richard has worked as a community volunteer, an educational advocate, professional speaker and storyteller.
Richard is currently considered to be one of the leading storytellers in the UK. As well as a storyteller, Richard is also a writer. He is the co-founder of Lollobal storytelling and training.