WEFT, WEAVE, WAFFLE: THE CRAFT OF STORYTELLING
‘The shortest distance between one human being and another….is a story’
Rabbi Shem Tov
event Profile
Date
7-8 OCT 2026
price
£170 | £190 | £220*
Location
dartington
EVENT TYPE
TRAINING
SUITABILITY
adults
Overview
A foundation in telling traditional stories.
Narrative skills are an increasingly valued part of an educators toolkit, applied to great effect in all sorts of settings and with a diverse range of client-groups. The craft of storytelling can be broken down into some fundamentals which once distinguished can assist the rapid improvement for those wishing to make use of it either as professional storytellers, or to blend in with presentation skills they already have.
Finding the right story at the right time is also a key area that the course will consider as well offering some coaching for individual work. Participants will then emerge from this enlivening and empowering process with tales to tell, and more confidence and understanding of how, why and where to tell stories.
Day 1
-Creating the container for risk and play
-Listening skills
-Claiming space and finding the voice
-Distinctions of the storyteller role
-Mechanics and methods of learning stories
-Extemporising
Day 2
-Reviewing practice
-Spontaneous storytelling
-Memory and breath
-Mapping
-Take-offs and Landings
-Pace and pauses
-Your material – coaching the storyteller
Participants should bring a story to tell. This should be familiar enough to work on, but not a ‘finished piece’. Ideally, this is 4-6 minutes long.
* rates for individuals / voluntary-charitable organisations / businesses
What's Included
- instruction & activities
- group, pair and personal work
- nature connection exercises
- theory, story and discussion
- refreshments, teas & coffees
Essential Information
COURSE TUTOR: CHRIS SALISBURY
Educator, trainer and professional storyteller, Chris has a background in theatre and is a qualified dramatherapist. He founded WildWise in 1999 after many years working as education officer for the Devon Wildlife Trust. In 2002 he founded the Westcountry Storytelling Festival to bring the oral tradition alive in the South West region and for which he is now the Artistic Director. He continues as director and senior instructor for WildWise using every creative means at his disposal to encourage the enjoyment and valuing of nature on events and courses around the world
9.30am to 4.30pm
This event will take place both indoors and outdoors with some shelter provided. Please dress for all weathers and wear sturdy footwear. We will provide any necessary field equipment and provide refreshments, teas & coffees.
Please bring:
- a packed lunch plus any snacks
- a water bottle
- notebook & pen
This event is likely to take place at The Glade in the North Woods on the Dartington estate, however this is yet to be confirmed.
The approximate location is indicated in the map below – please get in touch if you have any queries/concerns.
Detailed joining instructions will be issued after booking.
Our events take place come rain or shine. We do not offer refunds or credits for client cancellations within 28 days. Please let us know if you would like a copy of our full terms & conditions.
For instant booking online click here.
Alternatively if you have any queries please click here to complete a booking enquiry form OR call us 01803 868269 (message service when office unattended).