Alastair K Daniel
@akdaniel.bsky.social
Storyteller, consultant and independent scholar.
www.storytent.co.uk
https://www.youtube.com/user/storytent/videos
www.storytent.co.uk
https://www.youtube.com/user/storytent/videos
Yesterday, I led an online workshop on playful classroom storytelling. We discussed playfulness in relation to quirkiness, unpredictability, flexibility and sloppiness (engaging in storytelling that is not polished and is perhaps a bit chaotic).
#storytelling #play #pedagogy #learning #teaching
#storytelling #play #pedagogy #learning #teaching
November 17, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Yesterday, I led an online workshop on playful classroom storytelling. We discussed playfulness in relation to quirkiness, unpredictability, flexibility and sloppiness (engaging in storytelling that is not polished and is perhaps a bit chaotic).
#storytelling #play #pedagogy #learning #teaching
#storytelling #play #pedagogy #learning #teaching
Last night, Surrey Storytellers gathered for an ensemble evening with Tales of Magic and Mystery. We were taken deep into the forest and across fields of snow, and realised that we were shivering at more than the cold.
#storytelling #storytellers #MaldenManor #WorcesterPark
#storytelling #storytellers #MaldenManor #WorcesterPark
October 25, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Last night, Surrey Storytellers gathered for an ensemble evening with Tales of Magic and Mystery. We were taken deep into the forest and across fields of snow, and realised that we were shivering at more than the cold.
#storytelling #storytellers #MaldenManor #WorcesterPark
#storytelling #storytellers #MaldenManor #WorcesterPark
It's that time of year when we think of all things mysterious, sometimes spooky, sometimes frightening and sometimes just very strange. Surrey Storytellers will be both in-person and online this month, so come along and get your ticket on the door, or pre-book at:
surreystorytellers.co.uk
surreystorytellers.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
It's that time of year when we think of all things mysterious, sometimes spooky, sometimes frightening and sometimes just very strange. Surrey Storytellers will be both in-person and online this month, so come along and get your ticket on the door, or pre-book at:
surreystorytellers.co.uk
surreystorytellers.co.uk
This year, The Society for Storytelling is launching a National Young Storytellers Week. As our contribution to the week, Surrey Storytellers is sponsoring a day of workshops for young people (aged 8-25) on 25 October. For further details, or sign-up, go to: surreystorytellers.co.uk/Young-Storyt...
September 29, 2025 at 8:10 AM
This year, The Society for Storytelling is launching a National Young Storytellers Week. As our contribution to the week, Surrey Storytellers is sponsoring a day of workshops for young people (aged 8-25) on 25 October. For further details, or sign-up, go to: surreystorytellers.co.uk/Young-Storyt...
After the summer break, Surrey Storytellers club night, Three Heads in Well, returned with an evening of stories from the floor & our featured teller Shane Ibbs, who ably demonstrated his responsive and relaxed storytelling style drawing us in to his tales. #storytelling #maldenmanor #worcesterpark
September 27, 2025 at 7:19 PM
After the summer break, Surrey Storytellers club night, Three Heads in Well, returned with an evening of stories from the floor & our featured teller Shane Ibbs, who ably demonstrated his responsive and relaxed storytelling style drawing us in to his tales. #storytelling #maldenmanor #worcesterpark
It was back to school with a bump this week. I spent Wedensday storytelling on the theme of commitment with children from nursery age to Year 2.
The day was a reminder that children as young as 3 can contribute to shaping tales, as Gussin Paley says: ‘Storytelling is the social art of language’.
The day was a reminder that children as young as 3 can contribute to shaping tales, as Gussin Paley says: ‘Storytelling is the social art of language’.
September 19, 2025 at 5:10 PM
It was back to school with a bump this week. I spent Wedensday storytelling on the theme of commitment with children from nursery age to Year 2.
The day was a reminder that children as young as 3 can contribute to shaping tales, as Gussin Paley says: ‘Storytelling is the social art of language’.
The day was a reminder that children as young as 3 can contribute to shaping tales, as Gussin Paley says: ‘Storytelling is the social art of language’.
Yesterday, I provided storytelling training for folk who volunteer with a major UK nature charity. After identifying our skills as natural storytellers, we applied our (now) explicit knowledge to telling stories of place focusing initially on the human, and then on the non-human inhabitants.
August 15, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Yesterday, I provided storytelling training for folk who volunteer with a major UK nature charity. After identifying our skills as natural storytellers, we applied our (now) explicit knowledge to telling stories of place focusing initially on the human, and then on the non-human inhabitants.
This showreel brings together clips from the performance at Surrey Storytellers monthly club, Three Heads in a Well, on 25 July 2025 (and one clip shot in Dover Market Square). Filming was by Gary Thomas.
Alastair can be contacted through his website: www.storytent.co.uk
youtube.com/shorts/pcuK1...
Alastair can be contacted through his website: www.storytent.co.uk
youtube.com/shorts/pcuK1...
'When the Gentlemen Go By' showreel
YouTube video by storytent
youtube.com
July 31, 2025 at 1:19 PM
This showreel brings together clips from the performance at Surrey Storytellers monthly club, Three Heads in a Well, on 25 July 2025 (and one clip shot in Dover Market Square). Filming was by Gary Thomas.
Alastair can be contacted through his website: www.storytent.co.uk
youtube.com/shorts/pcuK1...
Alastair can be contacted through his website: www.storytent.co.uk
youtube.com/shorts/pcuK1...
Following stories from the floor, I brought ‘When the Gentlemen Go By' to Surrey Storytellers last night.
The whole room sang along with Kipling’s ‘Smuggler’s Song’ & then travelled across Romney Marsh to Aldington knoll, and from Dover Gaol to the haunted chalk pit of 'Smuggler's Leap'
The whole room sang along with Kipling’s ‘Smuggler’s Song’ & then travelled across Romney Marsh to Aldington knoll, and from Dover Gaol to the haunted chalk pit of 'Smuggler's Leap'
July 26, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Following stories from the floor, I brought ‘When the Gentlemen Go By' to Surrey Storytellers last night.
The whole room sang along with Kipling’s ‘Smuggler’s Song’ & then travelled across Romney Marsh to Aldington knoll, and from Dover Gaol to the haunted chalk pit of 'Smuggler's Leap'
The whole room sang along with Kipling’s ‘Smuggler’s Song’ & then travelled across Romney Marsh to Aldington knoll, and from Dover Gaol to the haunted chalk pit of 'Smuggler's Leap'
On Friday 25 July Surrey Storytellers welcomes Alastair K with 'When the Gentlemen Go By: Stories and Songs of South Coast Smuggling'. Tickets on the door/pre-book at:
surreystorytellers.co.uk
(£10 full price in-person; £7 concession in-person)
There are taster videos here
youtu.be/BFxRP89T1Po?...
surreystorytellers.co.uk
(£10 full price in-person; £7 concession in-person)
There are taster videos here
youtu.be/BFxRP89T1Po?...
July 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
On Friday 25 July Surrey Storytellers welcomes Alastair K with 'When the Gentlemen Go By: Stories and Songs of South Coast Smuggling'. Tickets on the door/pre-book at:
surreystorytellers.co.uk
(£10 full price in-person; £7 concession in-person)
There are taster videos here
youtu.be/BFxRP89T1Po?...
surreystorytellers.co.uk
(£10 full price in-person; £7 concession in-person)
There are taster videos here
youtu.be/BFxRP89T1Po?...
Earlier in the year I was interviewed by Despina Ariou and Simona Stambazzi for the 'Tell, Muses' podcast. We discussed storytelling in education and the fearlessness of young children with language, the use of objects in storytelling, & how stories speak to people: open.spotify.com/episode/77aH...
Alastair Kevin Daniel
Tell, Muses · Episode
open.spotify.com
July 6, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Earlier in the year I was interviewed by Despina Ariou and Simona Stambazzi for the 'Tell, Muses' podcast. We discussed storytelling in education and the fearlessness of young children with language, the use of objects in storytelling, & how stories speak to people: open.spotify.com/episode/77aH...
Yesterday, I was enjoyed being part of The National Centre for Family Learning’s Story Power conference. My contribution, Oral Storytelling as Playful Pedagogy, looked at the characteristics of play & how to nurture playful storytelling with and between children.
#storytelling #play #families #story
#storytelling #play #families #story
July 4, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Yesterday, I was enjoyed being part of The National Centre for Family Learning’s Story Power conference. My contribution, Oral Storytelling as Playful Pedagogy, looked at the characteristics of play & how to nurture playful storytelling with and between children.
#storytelling #play #families #story
#storytelling #play #families #story
Belinda McKenna and I have had a great evening representing Surrey Storytellers for one of Surbiton Inner Wheel's 'Try anything once' sessions. Despite the heat, the multi-generational group threw themselves into storytelling activities and entertained each other with the tales they devised.
July 2, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Belinda McKenna and I have had a great evening representing Surrey Storytellers for one of Surbiton Inner Wheel's 'Try anything once' sessions. Despite the heat, the multi-generational group threw themselves into storytelling activities and entertained each other with the tales they devised.
I am back home from the UKLA International Conference where I delivered an Expert Practice Session on 'Twisting Tales - challenging power, role and visibility in folk and fairy story' in which participants considered the nature, attributes & the lot in life of characters in well-known fairy tales.
June 30, 2025 at 8:17 AM
I am back home from the UKLA International Conference where I delivered an Expert Practice Session on 'Twisting Tales - challenging power, role and visibility in folk and fairy story' in which participants considered the nature, attributes & the lot in life of characters in well-known fairy tales.
Last April, I was in Marrakech with John Row and Sef Townsend for 'Merchant Stories: Marrakech to Manchester'. I was interviewed by the fabulous Zouhair Khaznaoui (co-director of the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival) for the Storyteller's Podcast.
youtu.be/hu4-kLXTKNQ?...
youtu.be/hu4-kLXTKNQ?...
Storyteller’s Podcast | Alastair K. Daniel
YouTube video by Hikayat حكايات
youtu.be
June 24, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Last April, I was in Marrakech with John Row and Sef Townsend for 'Merchant Stories: Marrakech to Manchester'. I was interviewed by the fabulous Zouhair Khaznaoui (co-director of the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival) for the Storyteller's Podcast.
youtu.be/hu4-kLXTKNQ?...
youtu.be/hu4-kLXTKNQ?...
Reposted by Alastair K Daniel
Join @akdaniel.bsky.social, The Story Tent, at the #StoryPowerConference on 3 July 🏕️
Alastair will share ways for teachers and learners to be playful in oral storytelling, using everyday items to spark stories. Watch the short video for more.
Book your place: bit.ly/StoryPowerCo... #FamilyLearning
Alastair will share ways for teachers and learners to be playful in oral storytelling, using everyday items to spark stories. Watch the short video for more.
Book your place: bit.ly/StoryPowerCo... #FamilyLearning
June 19, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Join @akdaniel.bsky.social, The Story Tent, at the #StoryPowerConference on 3 July 🏕️
Alastair will share ways for teachers and learners to be playful in oral storytelling, using everyday items to spark stories. Watch the short video for more.
Book your place: bit.ly/StoryPowerCo... #FamilyLearning
Alastair will share ways for teachers and learners to be playful in oral storytelling, using everyday items to spark stories. Watch the short video for more.
Book your place: bit.ly/StoryPowerCo... #FamilyLearning
What a lovely weekend at The East Anglian Storytelling Festival, meeting lots of old friends and making some new ones, listening to fabulous storytelling sets, getting in some stories myself, and eating far too much.
#storytelling #festival
#storytelling #festival
June 5, 2025 at 9:59 AM
What a lovely weekend at The East Anglian Storytelling Festival, meeting lots of old friends and making some new ones, listening to fabulous storytelling sets, getting in some stories myself, and eating far too much.
#storytelling #festival
#storytelling #festival
It was back to the classroom this morning for me working with Yr 6 children. I love Gregory Rogers' wordless text 'The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, The Bard' which was our inspiration for group process storytelling - developing ideas together through telling, rather than performing to an audience.
May 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
It was back to the classroom this morning for me working with Yr 6 children. I love Gregory Rogers' wordless text 'The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, The Bard' which was our inspiration for group process storytelling - developing ideas together through telling, rather than performing to an audience.
Yesterday I attended the UK Literacy Association ITE SIG conference on oracy & was delighted to be asked to give a short talk of the nature of educational storytelling: any chance to bang the drum for storytelling is always welcome. Thank you to the organisers and contributors for a fascinating day.
May 17, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Yesterday I attended the UK Literacy Association ITE SIG conference on oracy & was delighted to be asked to give a short talk of the nature of educational storytelling: any chance to bang the drum for storytelling is always welcome. Thank you to the organisers and contributors for a fascinating day.
Stories from the smuggling history of Kent and Sussex seem to be filling much of my waking hours at the moment, so it was a real pleasure to be able to walk the ground that both smugglers & the revenue men who pursued them had walked in previous centuries. Thank you Gary Thomas for the camera work.
May 12, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Stories from the smuggling history of Kent and Sussex seem to be filling much of my waking hours at the moment, so it was a real pleasure to be able to walk the ground that both smugglers & the revenue men who pursued them had walked in previous centuries. Thank you Gary Thomas for the camera work.
While in Marrakech in January, I recorded two stories for the House of Stories website (curated by Richard Hamilton). You can find the collection here: thehouseofstories.com, and my two stories here: King John's Trout: youtu.be/YQxUlqwfSDM?... and The Longest Story: youtu.be/HSVa1E0H_fQ?...
Home - The House Of Stories
thehouseofstories.com
April 29, 2025 at 5:29 PM
While in Marrakech in January, I recorded two stories for the House of Stories website (curated by Richard Hamilton). You can find the collection here: thehouseofstories.com, and my two stories here: King John's Trout: youtu.be/YQxUlqwfSDM?... and The Longest Story: youtu.be/HSVa1E0H_fQ?...
To mark #WorldBookNight, I was invited to talk at Kensington Central Library on Folk and Fairy Tales and the Oral Tradition. We started with the pull of narrative on the human mind, looked at the development of the fairy tale tradition, & considered common characteristics of traditional tales.
April 26, 2025 at 2:51 PM
To mark #WorldBookNight, I was invited to talk at Kensington Central Library on Folk and Fairy Tales and the Oral Tradition. We started with the pull of narrative on the human mind, looked at the development of the fairy tale tradition, & considered common characteristics of traditional tales.
If you are in Stoneleigh, or the environs, why not celebrate World Book Night at the library on Wednesday with Surrey Storytellers www.stoneleighlibrary.org.uk/what-s-on/co...
April 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM
If you are in Stoneleigh, or the environs, why not celebrate World Book Night at the library on Wednesday with Surrey Storytellers www.stoneleighlibrary.org.uk/what-s-on/co...
With a theme of New Beginnings, our April session sees Three Heads in a Well gives the floor over to an ensemble evening with our local tellers. We will be both in-person and online. Tickets on the door or at: surreystorytellers.co.uk
(£10 full price in-person; £7 concession in-person; £6 online)
(£10 full price in-person; £7 concession in-person; £6 online)
April 15, 2025 at 9:26 AM
With a theme of New Beginnings, our April session sees Three Heads in a Well gives the floor over to an ensemble evening with our local tellers. We will be both in-person and online. Tickets on the door or at: surreystorytellers.co.uk
(£10 full price in-person; £7 concession in-person; £6 online)
(£10 full price in-person; £7 concession in-person; £6 online)
In my role as Education Lead on the board of the Society for Storytelling I submitted evidence to the independent The Commission on the Future of Oracy Educ'n in England last year. In this blog I discuss oracy in English education & give a summary of my submission
www.akdaniel.co.uk/single-post/...
www.akdaniel.co.uk/single-post/...
Oracy and Storytelling - recent developments in English education
In this blog, prompted by the publication of the Oracy Commission’s report, ‘We Need to Talk’...
www.akdaniel.co.uk
April 12, 2025 at 12:25 PM
In my role as Education Lead on the board of the Society for Storytelling I submitted evidence to the independent The Commission on the Future of Oracy Educ'n in England last year. In this blog I discuss oracy in English education & give a summary of my submission
www.akdaniel.co.uk/single-post/...
www.akdaniel.co.uk/single-post/...