PEOPLE from across Castle Morpeth s social spectrum are being brought together to shape the future of one of the town s greatest attributes. Thanks to a Northern Arts Year of the Artist (YotA) award, internationally renowned storyteller Shonaleigh has begun working as artist in residence, focusing on Carlisle Park and has already started work with many schools and community groups. She is an entertaining, energetic and highly-acclaimed Yiddish storyteller who describes herself as a cross between Maureen Lipman and Peter Ustinov. One of her main aims is to work with a wide and varied number of Morpeth people, introducing them to her inimitable brand of storytelling and uncovering the stories of Morpeth held by the residents. Using the people and the place as her inspiration she aims to walk the past into the future, creating new stories from the old, building links between people and communities and focusing the work that emerges from the residency in Carlisle Park. People are amazing. There is a proverb that says, God created people because he loves a good story and its truewe are full of quotes, anecdotes and tales without realising it, said the Sheffield based storyteller. There will be a series of events, riddle trails, temporary and permanent sculptures and interventions in the Park which will provide interest and intrigue and record the evolving nature of the residency. She has spoken to Arts, Media, Drama and English groups from the sixth form at Ponteland High, giving them an insight into the profession of storytelling and the project s aims and aspirations, how they can get involved and of course she told them some wonderful stories as well. Shonaleigh will be working with the students to produce a performance piece for the park, some sculptures and several pieces of creative writing. She said: The basis of a good story is as relevant today as it has always been, we are all drawn to ghost stories and everyone loves a good joke. Stories must be interesting, funny, moving, intriguing and relevant to the listeners whether they are 16 or 60. First Schools have also received an action-packed introduction to the project and at Goosehill all the pupils were involved in providing sound effects and all sorts of energetic actions for Shonaleigh s versions of some traditional tales. Older pupils have been set the task of creating riddles and producing pieces of writing that will eventually be incorporated into the park and taken home by visitors. October also saw the launch of the first ever storytelling circle in Morpeth by Shonaleigh. The event was hailed a great success and all who attended were treated to an evening of fantastic, intriguing and hilarious tales. Shonaleigh invited people to join her for stories, conversation and the opportunity to get involved in the exciting YotA project. Members of the public can contribute stories, talk to Shonaleigh or simply listen. Within the prolific first 12 days of the residency the people of Morpeth have experienced Shonaleigh s finesse as a performer and her ability to work within communities to uncover the now deeply buried culture of storytelling. She feels it is important to revive the art of telling stories whilst making the tales relevant to modern times and people of all ages.