Four-and-a-half years ago, @hamishgrantnapier and I dreamed up @storylandssessions. It has grown into the most extraordinary community celebration of tunes, tales, poetry, song, visual art and even the occasional eruption of dance. I have loved it.
LOVED…
* my colleagues – who have grown to a team of five now including Jacky Pankhurst, Aila Schafer and Barry Reid
* the faithful team of volunteers, whose number is legion and gifts so valuable
(more on all these special people in a future post)
* the performers – from seasoned professionals to children playing in public for the first time (o my heart!)
* the creativity and sharing – stories that have captivated me, music that has swept me away, poems that have made me cry, art that has left me speechless, dancing that has left me breathless!
* the precious people who gathered in the writing workshops. As one participant wrote at our last one, on the theme of Fire: together "We have made a hearth"
* the warm, generous and supportive space that the whole Sessions community has created.
I often said to people, `I can`t tell you how much I love this project.` So, it is with considerable heartache, therefore, that I have taken the very difficult decision to step back from the team. Our Dec show was my last `on staff`. Storylands Sessions will continue in the capable hands of everyone else, and I`ll still be there, but just as another enthusiastic member of the community.
I need time for family and to write. (Significant things coming up on both fronts, so follow my monthly newsletter to be on the inside lane – see my website.)
For now, huge gratitude, from the bottom of my toe-tapping silver brogues, to all you beautiful people who have made Storylands Sessions such a joy. I`m so glad to be part of you and so excited for all that is to come.
Photos below: Robert Paisley, @creativewilderness.uk + random others!
@creativescots @cairngormsnationalpark
@landscapelore
#StorylandsSessions #CommunityArts #Scotland #TradMusic #Storytelling #Poetry #Music #Singing
