Tag: aberdeenshire

Annie Shirer – Doric Rhymes

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I’m gey chuffed to be able to share the news that the Annie Shirer Doric Rhymes web page (https://annieshirerrhymes.co.uk/) has been updated with rhymes and illustrations from pupils at Strichen and New Deer Primary schools!

P3/4 (Strichen) and P3 (New Deer) worked with me as a class to create some new Doric rhymes about Mormond Hill, the Culsh Monument and things they did and didn’t like as well as illustrating these rhymes and some of Annie’s original collected rhymes from over 100 years ago!

The P6/7s worked with Pauline as a class to create new seasonal rhymes about coming back to school after the summer holidays, the hairst (harvest) and rhymes about farm work and the New Deer Show. They then went off on their own into groups to create new Doric rhymes based on some of Annie’s original collected rhymes. All of this came with some excellent illustrations which you can see on the web page!

Thanks must go to Ewan McVicar who has converted me to one of Annie’s No1 fans and to The Doric Board who funded this project.

If you’d like a Doric rhyme creation workshop in your school, please get in touch with me (see “contact/links” above)

Here’s some of my favourite illustrations from Strichen and New Deer!

Aberdeenshire Promise Groups

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A braw day today finding out more about Aberdeenshire Promise Groups!

Held today at AFC, I met pupils and teachers from 2 local primary schools as well as other facilitators. We had a story and a fun game (while watching the mannie with the smallest lawn mower see to the biggest lawn!)

They even let this numpty (with no football knowledge at all) touch the Scottish Cup – which must be nothing short of sacrilege!

Photos below are of Sarah of Windswept Stories photography and myself with Angus The Bull – It was Sarah who originally told me of the work she’s being doing in schools; Me and the Scottish Cup!; Sarah and I are VERY excited to see Pittodrie; The wee man with the tiniest lawnmower who must have the world’s most satisfying job!

The Peterhead Trail Tours

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The last few weeks have been a quiet one for me – not having a voice does enforce no storytelling! 😆

However I’ve been able to spend that time learning even more about the Cordiner family toon of Peterheid! My dad aye made sure I knew loads of stories from Boddam and the Bloo Toon, but thanks to the The Peterhead Trail, there’s so much more to share!

For those of you booked on the tours, I’m looking forward to sharing it all on Saturday!

Guided tour of The Peterhead Trail this Easter School Holiday

Embark on a historic adventure and step back in time as our knowledgeable guide, Pauline, leads you through the streets of Peterhead. From familiar landmarks to stories of krakens and witches, uncover the stories that have shaped this coastal town into what it is today.

Explore hidden treasures whilst discovering hidden corners and secret spots that even the locals might not know about! This tour takes you on a journey to reveal the lesser-known tales and intriguing anecdotes that add depth to Peterhead’s history.

Learn from local expert Pauline who is a passionate historian and storyteller ready to share her expertise and insights with you. Gain a deeper understanding of the town’s heritage, from its modest beginnings to its pivotal role in maritime trade and beyond.

This tour is aimed at families with children aged 8 and over due to the amount of walking and the stories that will be told

Time Choices Available:

🕰️ 11.30am-12.30pm

🔗http://bit.ly/4acQxwG

⌚️1.30pm-2.30pm

🔗http://bit.ly/4cbTIqq

🗓️ Sat 30 March, Drummers Corner Peterhead

A Grand Week at Sunnybank School

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I’ve got some braw photies for you today from my week with SC&T Youth at Sunnybank School!

As I said in my post at the start of the week, the P6s were learning The Barnyards O Delgaty – quite the feat for those with non-Scots families, but they pronounced the Scots beautifully and I wis affa impressed wi their “knyot” in Meg MacPherson’s brose!

I posted a link to clarsach tutor Irene singing the song earlier this week, but here’s a link to Bothy Champion Joe Aitken’s performance at the Keith TMSA Festival in 2021 – back when we were still aa daen festivals fae oor livingrooms!

The Barnyards O Delgaty is sung about 22 minutes into Joe’s performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4yqCYp2O0U

The photo below is of my Dad’s Uncle Willie – taken around 1920. I wanted to show the bairns what ploughing horses looked like, all yokit up. (Uncle Willie is clearly spruced up for this photo, wi his pocket watch and everything!)

The drawings are from a rather talented P6! First she drew one of Uncle Willie’s horses – long after the photo had been taken down off the board! And then she drew me and our cat Apollo 😍

(Apollo is looking mean because he clawed my arm in a moment of “I love you – I love attacking you!” leaving me with a rather obvious scratch, hehe 😃 )

I love when these visits inspire the kids in so many different ways ❤

Spectra 2024!

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Don’t forget Spectra Festival is next week! 
Spectra is Aberdeen’s Festival of Lights and this year is returning for its 10th anniversary of the first Spectra in 2014. 

Lindsey Storyteller and myself will be telling tales in the Cowdray Hall between 6 and 10pm each night – some inspired by the various artworks across the city. Come hear a tale of a stubborn princess wooed by the lords of the local industries – she’d rather ignore them and hang out wi the seagulls instead!

(Now I’m getting carried away and considering Greggsy Granite, Shuggie Shipbuilder, Farquar Fash and … I don’t know. The temptation to have a golfing tycoon is huge. HUGE!)

Fizzy and Fuzzy the Fairies will be back (oh no) with a new story of their own – all about the giant beastie that rolls the sun across the sky!

STORY CREATION WORKSHOPS AT GILCOMSTOUN PRIMARY SCHOOL

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Here are some photos from my story creation project with Gilcomstoun Primary School. Primaries 1 – 7 and I created 6 stories about their learner dispositions – Bravery, Collaboration, Creativity, Determination, Motivation and Independence. What a wonderfully creative bunch!!

Class after class I was impressed by the pupils energy, creativeness and fun 😁

Their stories included – a brave cook, a mystical bracelet, a kraken on top of Marischal College, neolithic farming, a poisonous platypus, and of course an alien toddler saving the day!

The pupils will be drawing the (super) heroes from their stories and I can’t wait to see them. Thanks all at Gilcomstoun Primary for such a wonderful story creation experience! 😃

If your school has learner characteristics/dispositions and you’d like your pupils to work with a storyteller to create some stories – please contact me. Details in the “contacts” page

(Images are from the Gilcomstoun Primary Twitter Page.)