VISITORS to the Southwell Folk Festival are being asked to share their North Notts stories and tales.
Adults with learning disabilities from the Southwell Care Project have created a Collecting Stories group to find out about local heritage.
The group has created a Story Tree out of willow and wood, working with local artist Carole Beavis, which will feature a Talking Chair where people can sit and let the tree record their tales of local folklore, family history and heritage-based stories.
Southwell Care Project's funding manager Julia Nutbrown said: "Adults with learning disabilities often feel cut off from community life and the world around them.
"Collecting Stories participants have been making new connections by exploring the past – from ancient Green Men to Morris Men, we have already gathered all sorts of North Notts tales.
"But we think there are more stories out there, perhaps family fables that have been handed down through generations or local legends connected to the landscape."
The Story Tree will be open for stories at the festival on June 7 and 8 from 1pm to 10pm, or people can email their tales in to PodBlogCollectingStories@gmail.com.
The Collecting Stories group is part of the All Our Stories grant programme set up by the Heritage Lottery Fund, launched last year in support of the BBC Two programme 'The Great British Story'.
The series was presented by historian Michael Wood, who said: "We British love our history, and no wonder: few nations in the world, if any, have such riches on their doorstep and so much of it accessible to all of us.
"It is really tremendous that the people of Southwell have been inspired to get involved to tell their own story and to dig deeper into their own past.
"I am certain that fascinating and moving stories will be uncovered."
The group hope to use some of the stories they collect in an exhibition performance at Southwell Minster School, Nottingham Road, on Friday, July 12.
