Story time delight at Peterborough's Central Park as thousands enjoy new festival

Storytelling Festival at Central Park Alfie Giddings (2) meets a giant fox EMN-171208-194757009

The first Storytelling Festival was the final act of a 14 month Arts Council funded project to improve literacy rates in three areas of the city - the Central area, Bretton and the Ortons.

The festival attracted approximately 3,000 people throughout the day with a whole range of different storytellers keeping the children - and adults - enthralled.

Elaine Wilkinson, reading development manager at Vivacity, which put on the event, said: “It was hugely successful. It was the first time we did this sort of family festival and we exceeded the numbers we were expecting.

Storytelling Festival at Central Park EMN-171208-194301009

“We’ve had quite a bit of feedback from the families and it was all positive. A lot of families came when it opened and stayed all day with picnics.

“They said they would like the same thing to happen next year.”

Acts on the day included Teddy and Otto, a fox and otter who carried relics from fairy tales, puppet shows from Rambling On and the Theatre of Widdershins, numerous workshops and The Whale by Talking Birds, which children could walk inside and hear stories from a sailor.

Paul Jackson, Marion Leeper and Tilly the Tale Spinner were also around to delight children with their stories.

Storytelling Festival at Central Park Princess crown makers Polly Roberts, Ben Reynolds and Page Ferrier EMN-171208-194708009

Noni Yunus, who attended the festival, said: “I attended the Vivacity event and it was extremely well attended with lots of children and big children (parents) enjoying the sunshine and the event.

“It was an excellent idea and very well received by all. It was colourful, musical and gay - a perfect afternoon.”

The literacy project may now have ended, but Elaine believes it has proven a success and will benefit children for years to come.

She added: “The aim behind it was to engage families and children with literacy and reading through the creative arts. We targeted three areas of deprivation and lower literacy.

Storytelling Festival at Central Park Kat Cashman with Haydn Thongphay (6) EMN-171208-194745009

“We are hoping it will make children realise how much fun reading can be and teach families what activities they can do at home to keep the culture going.

“The more they read the better they do at school and life.”