Cindylou has come to Bleddfa workshops on a number of occasions and her participation always ensures that the courses go with a swing. Here she shares a bit of her storytelling journey.

Whilst teaching in special schools I discovered early on that the most disruptive/disturbed children LOVED to be told stories. As soon as I ditched the book and started just telling, they became totally held.

It’s this ‘holding’ that fascinates me. The simple act of telling a story, whether professionally with enhanced performance techniques or socially, is magic to me. The connection between the listeners and the tellers becomes palpable. Our hearts beat as one. The modern world is increasingly aware, through the findings of neurological science that our brain works most efficiently through narrative. Something our ancestors knew but we forgot for centuries.

Countless times I have stood in front of groups of people and travelled with them through joys and sorrows, across unknown lands and into the heart of human experience. It is such a privilege to tell stories, a privilege and a responsibility. Stories carry such power, they can bring so much comfort to those in pain, teach us how to survive and even enable us to face unthinkable fears.

Stories often don’t come easy for me or anyone, there’s graft involved. Like stalactites the narrative drips through my understanding, slowly over time eventually forming itself into a tellable form. I draw, felt, read, walk, dance, dream and most of all share what bits of the story are tangible as it gestates. Hard, focused work is required to find the awkward bits, the sharp edges that detract from the story, and remove them.

Repeatedly I have taken a half formed, immature bunch of story snippets to a small welsh village. Here, hugged by the walls of an ancient Bleddfa barn and held skillfully by Michael Harvey, Hazel Bradley and Pauline Down I have struggled with those seemingly disparate fragments. Every single time something beautiful and magical emerges. At Bleddfa I have worked with participants with years of experience and those who have never told a story before and therein lays its strength, a fresh and open way of working. Performance techniques don’t get in the way of the story – the story becomes the entire focus, and hey presto every time it’s safely delivered.

Have a look at what courses are on offer at Bleddfa this summer - they could be just what you're looking for to help you develop as a storyteller. You can find out more about Cindylou and her passion for storytelling on her website . And remember if you have any questions just drop me a line.