My Story
I was born and raised in the North of England in a traditional nomadic family, we travelled across the North and Midlands as the family made a living from various enterprises, always adapting to market and seasonal conditions. Collecting and selling firewood in the winter, to buying and selling household and other items in the spring and summer, to fruit and vegetable picking in the autumn. I was really fortunate to meet so many different characters growing up, learning their skills and hearing their stories. I learned storytelling from some of the best tellers in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I have worked in a range of different fields from construction to Men’s health and professional football, stories of success, failure. Stories have always inspired and sustained me.
In 2004 I was asked to tell stories professionally, since then I have told stories in locations ranging from the House of Commons and Lords, to both Imperial War museums; the Edinburgh festival, numerous theatres, universities, hundreds of schools, on a boat and a market stall and for members of the royal family.
I’ve won a number of awards for my work from Education to Enterprise, to volunteering.
Founder of National Men’s Health Week 2002 (Beacon Award)
Winner of National Literacy Hero Award 2013
I am one of the first people in the country to have been awarded an social enterprise fellowship from Unltd.
In 2017 I created the 'New Pioneers' enterprise and achievement programme for young people in Rochdale Lancashire. The first group to complete the programme have surpassed their own expectations.
In 2018 I was asked to present my nomadic storytelling for one of the most successful companies in Europe at their annual get together at the Savoy hotel in Zurich.
Ask me to come and work with you and I’ll tell you more about my story and teach you how to tell yours.
I was born and raised in the North of England in a traditional nomadic family, we travelled across the North and Midlands as the family made a living from various enterprises, always adapting to market and seasonal conditions. Collecting and selling firewood in the winter, to buying and selling household and other items in the spring and summer, to fruit and vegetable picking in the autumn. I was really fortunate to meet so many different characters growing up, learning their skills and hearing their stories. I learned storytelling from some of the best tellers in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I have worked in a range of different fields from construction to Men’s health and professional football, stories of success, failure. Stories have always inspired and sustained me.
In 2004 I was asked to tell stories professionally, since then I have told stories in locations ranging from the House of Commons and Lords, to both Imperial War museums; the Edinburgh festival, numerous theatres, universities, hundreds of schools, on a boat and a market stall and for members of the royal family.
I’ve won a number of awards for my work from Education to Enterprise, to volunteering.
Founder of National Men’s Health Week 2002 (Beacon Award)
Winner of National Literacy Hero Award 2013
I am one of the first people in the country to have been awarded an social enterprise fellowship from Unltd.
In 2017 I created the 'New Pioneers' enterprise and achievement programme for young people in Rochdale Lancashire. The first group to complete the programme have surpassed their own expectations.
In 2018 I was asked to present my nomadic storytelling for one of the most successful companies in Europe at their annual get together at the Savoy hotel in Zurich.
Ask me to come and work with you and I’ll tell you more about my story and teach you how to tell yours.