Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

"It's a wonderful, friendly atmosphere to sit and inspire other people with stories."

So said Robin Herne, who's one of the main turns with the Gippeswyk Storytellers. Taking their name from the old name for Ipswich, they meet on the first Monday of each month and have just returned to their spiritual home - the Brewery Tap pub next to the old Tolly Cobbold brewery on Ipswich's waterfront.

A typical story weaves folklore with everyday life, such as the farmer from Martlesham who consults a local wise woman to see if he can rid his fields of stones for ploughing.

In 2008, the pub was re-opened by the Earl Soham Brewery. In a side room, the group listen to folk stories, horror stories, myths, legends and they also just make up their own tales.

Brewery Tap, Ipswich waterfront

Robin said the attraction is simple: "To see them laugh, cry or be moved by the stories and then to be part of the audience and listen to somebody else.

"Even if it's tales you've heard before, each teller puts her own little spin on it so it's different and unique. It's weaving patterns - tapestries with words.

"That in itself is a fascinating experience to take part in."

Archiving Englishness

Robin's film has been made as part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Made In England project - a look at how the country's places and people are reflected in our art and culture. Storytellers say tales help us understand why places have their names, but they can also be morality tales which help bond us to a common culture.

Robin is worried that although stories do exist in East Anglia, there are far more stories attached to Ireland, Wales, Scotland and parts of England such as Cornwall.

"Storytellers tend to be middle-aged. We are trying to work on inspiring younger people to get involved and create their own myths and legends and connect to the places they live in rather than to feel that it's all transitory people coming and going.

"We want people to actually belong and they know the lay of the land."

Robin's been telling stories for over a decade - not long after the Gippeswyk Storytellers circle was formed in the mid-1990's. In 2008, he entered a competition at Flag Fen near Peterborough and won the title of Chief Bard of The Fens.

"We'd like you to join in. Do get in touch and we can maybe help you become a storyteller in due course.

"Even if you're a little bit nervous we can help guide you and inspire and make you a more confident teller perhaps!"

Visit the Gippeswyk Storytellers website using the link on the right. Robin Herne is also a pagan and you can read more about this side of his life in the feature on the right.