What’s the story? Spark want to know
Festival all set to tell tales
Livingston will be home to tall tales, fabulous fiction, and amazing anecdotes this summer with the launch of a new storytelling festival.
Organised by local social enterprise Spark, plan are being made for a week-long festival in June that will include a series of events in local venues, aimed mainly at children, with stories told in a range of formats, including book and poetry readings, plays, music and films.
There will also be a series of workshops during the school holidays, including with animation by Aardman Animations, creators of Wallace and Grommit.
Spark, whose aim is to reduce loneliness and social isolation by providing activity groups, trips, events, and volunteering opportunities, has appointed local storyteller, narrator and public speaker Colin Williamson as a diversity and inclusion ambassador.
Colin has dyslexia and autism and uses his storytelling skills to help spread awareness of the conditions.
Spark is asking for volunteers and storytellers to get in touch and join a working group that will meet later this month to plan and finalise arrangements.
Chief executive Jane Deary said: “We would like to showcase the rich tapestry of occupations available to our young people and older generations. There is a wider world of possibility than the lived experience to date and stories are a window to that wider world.
“Spark aims to bring together those willing to share their stories to be the catalyst to that window of opportunities.
“The stories may be written, spoken, sung or in film. What they have in common is the
thread of interest, a passion, a belief, and a willingness to navigate the challenges of the journey to achievement and fulfilment that the opportunity provides.”
“She added: “One example of this is World Record Breaker Cyclist, Josh Quigley, a local young man who came to Spark to share his story of how taking up cycling led to overcoming mental health issues.
“His inspirational talk resulted in a number of our members taking up membership of Xcite Sports Centre who brought along an indoor bike to the event.”
It is hoped the festival will be staged in local schools, community gardens and libraries, as well as at Spark’s Neighbourhood Centre in Craigshill, from Monday, June 20.
Local housing association, Almond Housing, has agreed to provide free books for under-fives living in its properties.