National Storytelling Week Workshops at Otterpool Park

22 December 2022

Two events for children will take place at Westenhanger Castle this February during National Storytelling Week.

National Storytelling Week is a celebration of storytelling and is used to fire up imaginations and encourage people to tell their own stories.

The events have been organised by Otterpool Park as part of their programme of community engagement and commitment to delivering an engaging, rewarding and enjoyable experience of Otterpool Park, before even the first tree is planted or first brick laid.

The following two events will take place on Saturday 4th February 2023:

– 10:00am – 12:00pm: Storytelling Workshop for children with Emily Hanna-Grazebrook from Dragonfly Tales. 

Emily is a professional storyteller who has performed at museums, libraries, literary festivals and schools for more than 10 years.

In this workshop, children will learn what makes a good story and will create their own tale inspired by what they have learned.

Emily performed at Westenhanger Castle during last year’s National Storytelling Week and again at Halloween.  The events were very popular so book your ticket soon!

– 12:30pm – 3.30pm: Stop Motion Animation Workshop by Animation Nation

Based on stories created during the morning’s Storytelling Workshop,  Animation Nation will deliver some fun, hands on stop-motion animation workshops.

Stop-motion animation is a technique used for films and television programmes including Wallace & Gromit, Pingu and Shaun the Sheep. The children will use iPads, LED lights, stands, green screens, powerbanks, storyboards and modelling clay to bring stories to life.

Animation Nation provides stop-motion animation workshops across the UK and Germany for schools, museums, galleries, team building events and more. Their workshops are a fun way for people to creatively express their ideas and learn new skills.

Tickets are free but must be pre-booked on Eventbrite by searching for ‘Otterpool Park’ or by following the links below:

Storytelling Workshop 10am – 12pm

Stop Motion Animation Workshop 12.30pm – 3.30pm

There is ample free parking at Westenhanger Castle, and for those travelling by train, Westenhanger station is just a ten-minute walk away. Toilets are available.  You are advised to bring a packed lunch if attending both sessions.

Please email any queries to community@otterpoolpark.org