Laureate to help storytelling live happily ever after

New role created to boost oral literary tradition

By Mike Glover,

The Independent, Sunday, 1 November 2009

Are you sitting comfortably? Then let's begin. Britain is to have its first laureate for storytelling. Taffy Thomas has been waxing lyrical, spinning yarns, telling tall tales and holding children and adults spellbound with his repertoire of 300 stories culled from oral sources for the past 30 years.

Now the 60-year-old, who was made an MBE for his linguistic prowess, is to have his skill at the oldest literary form further recognised by being given the honorary role, which will be launched at the British Library in London in January as part of National Storytelling Week. During his two-year term of office, Mr Thomas, who lives in Cumbria, will travel the length and breadth of the UK to spread the word.

The former street entertainer, who founded the folk-theatre company Magic Lantern, turned to storytelling in his mid-thirties as part of his recovery after a massive stroke.

Read the full pice at The Independent.