Tag: Aberdeen Storyteller

Fizzy’s Christmas Present

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I caught Fizzy the Fairy last night getting ready to head out to the Fairies Yule Party. She was in a very festive mood and was almost set to head out to the Cauld Hill o Fare.

Now! If you know your Aberdeenshire stories, you’ll know that the fairies once lived in the Seeley Howe on the Laird of Blelacks Land. They were then dislodged by John Farquharson (a reputed magician) and sent to the Hill o Fare which wasn’t a patch on the Seeley Howe!

They cursed Blelack of course, stating

“Dool, dool to Blelack, 

And dool to Blelack’s heir, 

For drivin’ us frae the Seely Howe, 

To the cauld Hill o’ Fare!” 

And that was him cursed. Fizzy assures me that the Hill of Fare is actually very nice these days (the fairies having had a few centuries to spruce it up a bit) but aye that it is a bit chilly.

So! I decided to give her Christmas present early. When we went to Ellon a few weeks ago, we met Elsie who said that Fizzy could do with a nice warm ganzie. So I’ve got the old knitting needles out and have managed to knit Fizzy a lovely jumper to keep her warm. She’s delighted – especially considering my lack of knitting skills!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Looking For A Storyteller? Here Are Some Dates For Your Diary

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It’s not the end of 2022 yet but in between wrapping gifts and nipping out to post my cards, I’m starting to look at my calendar for the following year. Here are some of the year’s main dates for storytelling activities – so if you’re looking for stories a storyteller to inspire your school pupils or entertain at your event look no further!

I tell all sorts of stories – folk tales, myths and legends, stories of local places and characters – including old Scots songs and ballads. My specialist areas are science, environment and pre-history and I have a number of costumes to choose from. Puppets can also be brought and incorporated into the storytelling session. I am also keen on the promotion of Scots and Doric which is not just used around “Burns Season!” I thoroughly believe that stories are for all ages and can provide storytelling sessions or storytelling workshops from age 2 to 102! (If you’re over 102 then I think you have a few tales to tell to me!)

I am on the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s Directory as well as the Scottish Book Trust’s Live Literature Author Directory. I am a member of Equity and can provide Disclosure certification. Make your enquiry today by emailing paulinecordiner@gmail.com !

Burns Night – 25th January 2023

National Storytelling Week – 30th January to 6th February 2023

World Book Day – 2nd March 2023

Mother’s Day – 19th March 2023

World Poetry Day – 21st March 2023

British Science Week 10th – 19th March 2023

International Children’s Book Day – 2nd April (held on or near Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday)

National Share A Story Month – May 1st to May 31st 2023

National Writing Day – June 23rd 2023

Festival of British Archaeology – July 16th to July 31st

National Poetry Day – 6th October 2023

Father’s Day – June 18th 2023

National Poetry Day – 6th October 2023

Scottish International Storytelling Festival – End Oct 2023

Odd Socks Day – Anti Bullying Week – 13th November 2023

St Andrews Day – 30th November 2023

Book Week Scotland – 16th to 22nd November 2023

National Children’s Book Week – 31st October to 4th November 2023

Book Week Scotland – 16th to 22nd  November 2023

Peterhead Christmas Lights

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After Mallku’s party it was a quick tidy up and off to Peterhead for the Light Up Peterhead event! There was so much on and I was lucky to be telling Christmas stories in the Muckle Kirk. (Just look at those stained glass windows!!)

Of course this required a quick costume change from Viking to Christmas Tree Fairy. See I’ve got my shiny tinsel crown and aathing!

I had some wonderful audiences throughout the afternoon and had the help of Fizzy the Fairy and my wee Tomte/Nisse pal – who is insisting he is not a gnome or a gonk!

A Viking Birthday Party

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Well WHAT a busy day I had yesterday! In the morning I had the pleasure of telling Viking tales to Mallku and his guests for his 8th birthday out at Haddo House. After the stories they made clay tablets with their names in Norse runes – and what a great job they did!

Here’s a photo of me with my pal Bjarni who needs to be told that Vikings did not wear helmets with horns OR Ikea rugs over their shoulders 😛 (Also note the amazing birthday cake in the background!)