Local Legends: National Storytelling Week in Reading

31 January 2025

Reading's storytelling traditions run deep into the heart of Berkshire's cultural life. As we celebrate National Storytelling Week – from Saturday, February 1st to Sunday 9th – our town's rich tapestry of tales continues to captivate and inspire residents and visitors.

From ancient folklore whispered in medieval halls to vibrant modern gatherings, Reading remains a hub of oral tradition, kept alive through the tireless efforts of the Society for Storytelling and our dedicated local cultural champions. National Storytelling Week will be a celebration of both storytelling and writing for pleasure.

Weaving Tales: Reading's Rich Storytelling Heritage

Reading's storytelling heritage runs as deep as the Thames that flows through the town. Within the weathered walls of Reading Abbey, tales of ethereal monks still captivate listeners, their spectral forms said to drift through the ruins on misty evenings. The town's narrative fabric, woven from ancient and modern threads, comes alive through the voices of those who keep our oral traditions flourishing.

In our digital age, where screens dominate our attention, storytelling offers something uniquely human: the warmth of shared experience, the spark of live performance, and the joy of collaborative imagination.

From Abbey Ghosts to Roman Myths: Reading's Local Legends

Few places can boast such a deep treasury of tales as Reading. The haunting stories of Reading Abbey are rooted in its turbulent history, from the burial place of Henry I in 1136 to its dramatic dissolution during Henry VIII's reign.

Local tales speak of the last Abbot, Hugh Cook Faringdon , whose execution at the Abbey gateway in 1539 sparked centuries of ghost stories. Visitors and locals alike report mysterious footsteps and shadowy figures among the ruins, particularly around the Chapter House where monks once gathered.

The medieval Lady Chapel in Caversham holds its own fascinating legends. Once one of medieval England's most important pilgrimage sites, it housed revered relics including the legendary 'Hand of St James'. Contemporary accounts tell of miraculous healings and royal visitors, including Henry VIII himself, before the Reformation. The chapel's dramatic destruction during the Civil War added another layer to its mystique, with tales of its treasures being hidden away in the surrounding area.

Modern-Day Tale-Spinners: Reading's Storytelling Community

The stories surrounding Reading Gaol's most famous inmate, Oscar Wilde, are more recent but equally compelling. His imprisonment here in 1895-97 inspired his haunting work The Ballad of Reading Gaol and also generated numerous local tales of his ghost wandering the Victorian prison's corridors. These stories gained new resonance during recent campaigns to preserve the building as a cultural centre.

Today's Reading hosts a vibrant community of modern storytellers who breathe fresh life into the ancient tales. Reading Libraries host regular storytelling sessions across their branches, fostering a love of oral tradition among new generations. The Reading Library Service works closely with local schools and community groups to keep storytelling alive through special events and workshops throughout the year.

Family Adventures in Storytelling

During National Storytelling Week, Reading's cultural spaces become hubs of imaginative adventure. The Museum of Reading hosts daily storytelling sessions, where professional storytellers bring local history to life through interactive performances.

The Progress Theatre has organised special evening events where traditional tales are reimagined through contemporary perspectives, creating bridges between past and present. For families seeking to join the storytelling tradition, opportunities abound. The Caversham Library's “Little Listeners” programme offers specially crafted sessions for children aged 3-7, where stories come alive through puppet shows and interactive games.

Book Your Stay Today

Click here to reserve your home-from-home sanctuary for a short or long-term stay in the heart of Reading and immerse yourself in the legends, myths and stories of a truly intriguing city.

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