10am to 4pm

The course

An opportunity to explore just what makes a good story (or a bad one!) through the telling and sharing of tales that have survived and adapted through centuries - contrasted with those that now just die a death…
Do context and the mindset of their time dictate the successful story - or is the human condition universal? Does humour travel across time and cultures? Do we have to recognise ourselves or our circumstances to be engaged?
There will also be a chance to look at the use of language, drawing on personal resources, storytelling techniques, and the introduction of props or aides memoir.
As well as being supported in telling their own short story individually, toward the end of the day participants may like to construct and tell a story as a group by using this or another collective experience and incorporating skills taken from the day.

The tutor

Kay Rouse comes from a strong oral tradition - London Irish with a twist of fairground traveller – where from childhood all were encouraged to offer a ‘turn’.
For some years she has worked with institutionalised residents, those seeking to recover language skills following stroke or head injury and also ran reminiscence sessions for early-onset Alzheimer’s groups.
For over fifteen years Kay has worked as a professional live interpreter and storyteller offering presentations from Chaucer for Children - via Shakespeare, Georgian Executions, a Victorian Album (and more) - to Life on the Home Front…

Participant information

A sense of humour, an open mind and a conviction that stories are not just for children.
You will be sitting in an exhibit building or out of doors, depending on the weather, so please bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

Fee

£60 per person, including tuition, teas and coffees.
The Museum café will be open for lunch-time snacks or alternatively participants can bring their own packed lunch.

Offer: book two places on any of the heritage professional courses costing £60 at the same time and pay £50 per place!

The Museum

The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits.  It is also home to the award winning and innovative Downland Gridshell, which houses a conservation workshop and artefact store, and is also used for many practical courses.  The Museum runs a full programme of courses in historic building conservation and traditional rural trades and crafts, along with MSc programmes in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation validated by Bournemouth University. Please telephone for further details.

To book, download a form here. Alternatively, fill in the booking request below.

Make a Booking Request

 
This is an initial booking request form, and does not guarantee a place on the course. The Adult Learning Team will check the availability of the course, and reply to you as soon as possible - usually within one working day.