Howarth - Regional College project a tale worth telling (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

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Howarth - Regional College project a tale worth telling

January 14, 2009 12:24 PM

David Howarth with CRC students Matt and Gemma and Cambridge Storytellers founder Peter Hilken

A storytelling project for students at Cambridge Regional College has won the support of the city's MP David Howarth.

He met around 10 teenagers at the King's Hedges Road complex yesterday (Wednesday) as they performed and discussed a selection of stories and tall tales as part of the Young Voices Storytelling Project.

The project is run by Peter Hilken, founder of Cambridge Storytellers and Marion Leeper, teacher and performer with the group, and encourages young people between the ages of 8 and 18 to recount tales, myths and legends in front of an audience.

Teacher, Moragh James, overseeing the project, said: "It is excellent for the kids to have the opportunity to express themselves in this way. They are full of energy and creativity and this project has encouraged them to develop skills which harness those gifts."

Mr Howarth said: "The need for a coherent narrative has always been to the fore in politics as well as in literature. I am delighted that this very worthwhile project is teaching these young people important skills, including the ability to speak engagingly in public. Their enthusiasm and talent should be applauded."

It is hoped that members of the group will perform at the second Cambridge Storytelling Festival in May, and that one or two particularly gifted students will be chosen to participate in the Young Storyteller of the Year competition, held in Birmingham in March.