Spindrift Stories

26/05/2025

Lots on at the Bryneich Studio over half term, as well as usual opening times! Discover Northumbrian folklore, myths, legends, experience traditional storytelling or try out a craft that's been popular for over 200 years.

Check out the programme, with sessions for children and adults.

Opposite Heatherslaw Mill on the Ford and Etal Estates.

04/05/2025

Bryneich Studio open as usual this bank holiday weekend.

Plus new events!

Sunday: Studio open 10:30-3:00, with storytelling for 3-7-year-olds 12:15-12:45.

Monday: Studio open 10:30-4:30, with storytelling for adults and older families 1:45-2:45.

These events (plus more) will run regularly over the next couple of months, so contact me or check out my website (link in bio) for details.

25/04/2025

Bryneich Studio closed this weekend.

Normal Opening Times resuming from Monday 28/4.

Mon-Thurs 10:30-4:30
Sun 10:30-3:00

Traditional Storytelling for Adults and Older Families.
Children’s Storytelling Events.
Discover the Legends and Folklore of Northumberland in the permanent, free display.
Story Nook for Children.
Books, Local Art & Gifts for Sale.

19/04/2025

I'm open for the rest of the Easter weekend! Children's activities twice a day, and the studio open as advertised 10:30-4:30 Saturday and Monday, 10:30-3:00 Sunday, to discover Northumbrian myth and magic, browse art and books, or enjoy the children's Story Nook.

10/04/2025

From Sunday 13th April there will be Easter "Make and Take" sessions at the Bryneich Studio. Come and learn to make a woven paper basket (other colours available!) and decorate it as you choose, followed by an optional interactive children's storytelling session.

£4 per participant for craft session only, or £6 to stay for the storytelling too. Various difficulties of craft available for different ages. Two sessions per day, 11-12 and 1-2, Sunday-Thursday through the Northumberland school holidays (until 27th April).

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Max 10 children per session, please contact me to book or with any queries. All materials provided.

02/04/2023

My local/seasonal events are now open for booking!

I have a busy programme of events for the spring and summer: Tales at Old Heatherslaw is back in the Storytelling Circle on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, and this year I am also offering guided Folklore and Heritage walks around Ford & Etal Estates, with a mixture of folklore, legends, and hidden history from the landscape we're walking through.

You can now book your places online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/spindrift-stories or contact me for more details and other events.

18/11/2022

Lots to do at the biggest Ford & Etal Christmas Market yet! I'll be at Heatherslaw, telling some traditional stories.

Get in the festive spirit at the Ford & Etal Christmas Market, which runs over two days, on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November, 10:00 - 15:00. Shop a wonderful array of local food, drink, sweets, preserves, gifts, toys, arts, crafts and much, much more. Make a day of it, follow the fun Christmas Tree Trail all around the Estates, enjoy the entertainment and relax over a tempting treat, whether that be hot chocolate, mulled wine, a pint of local beer or freshly roasted coffee. All the local shops and cafes are open too.
There is free parking in Etal, plus a vintage double-decker bus and Heatherslaw Light Railway to help you move easily around Etal, Ford and Heatherslaw.
While you are here why not enjoy a carriage ride at Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre, or head up to beautiful Cheviot Tap to chill out and meet the alpacas.
Dogs are welcome so please don't leave your pooch at home!
For more information visit www.ford-and-etal.co.uk/events

18/11/2022

❄️ Winter at Walltown - Home Educator's Session ❄️

Come to Walltown this winter and find out how nature changes as the weather gets colder. Listen to some traditional tales with a storyteller, enjoy a woodland walk with our Rangers, and finish by making a natural Christmas decoration to take away (like the one below!)

📆 Tuesday 29th November 2022
⏰ 10:30AM - 1:30PM
Find out more and book here 👉 https://bit.ly/3X3liyw

28/07/2022

Thanks to the Coastal Custodian for sharing my storytelling events! Do check them out if you're looking for things to do and places to go this summer in Northumberland - they really do have something for everyone and so much helpful information and detail!

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26/07/2022

Back in the storytelling circle this week, after a busy but fantastic weekend sharing stories down at the Sill. There are some spaces available for the session at 4:30 today, as well as another at the same time tomorrow, and 2pm Saturday. Currently the sun is out, and it looks likely to stay dry! Escape from the outside world for an hour of old stories and local folklore, described by visitors as "entrancing" and "magical".

16/07/2022

Storytelling News Update!

Delighted to say that I'll be performing pop-up storytelling sessions at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre on Hadrian's Wall next weekend (23rd and 24th July), for the launch of the "Lost Spells: Listening to a Landcape of Voices" Exhibition, based on the work of Robert McFarlane and Jackie Morris. I'll be there both afternoons, telling magical, traditional tales from Northumberland. This is going to be a wonderful, immersive weekend, full of beautiful art and words, and a programme of events and workshops, so do take a look and come along if you're anywhere near!

This means that there will be no storytelling at Heatherslaw on Saturday 23rd July. However, regular sessions will continue throughout the summer holidays and beyond, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, weather allowing. If you'd like to listen to the magic of myths and folktales in the peaceful, open air storytelling circle, please get in touch to book. There's even a shady shelter for these hot days!

I am also running two sessions at Crookham Village Hall in August - one general session for all ages, and one interactive session for children, based around the local tale of the Laidly Worm of Spindlestone Heugh. Details coming in my Events section. As always, contact me for enquiries and bookings.