Last week we were treated to excellent storytelling at Staveley Roundhouse by The Border Readers.
This year the Readers gave us live readings of short stories with a rural setting by some of our finest contemporary writers. They all have something to say in entertaining and relevant ways about life in today's countryside.
In Tim Pear’s poignant story Blue a dying farmer, looking back over his life and times, sees the world anew. In Deborah Moggach's How I Learnt to be a Real Countrywoman London incomer Ruthie's conservation campaign lights up her life and libido. In the Author's Footsteps by Adam Thorpe a determined walker with an outdated guidebook brings mayhem to Milton Keynes. In Protection by Helen Dunmore artist Florence wants to shield her twin girls from possible intruders at their isolated rural home, but just how far will she go in doing so? Jo Scott sets Leap of Faith in the Cheviot hills on midsummer eve where a swim in a moorland lough brings two young villagers together in unexpectedly dramatic ways.
We absolutely love this very gentle form of entertainment. There is something so soothing about accomplished actors reading uplifting and interesting short stories. Staveley Roundhouse is such a great venue, and a fairly recent discovery. All in all, a very enjoyable evening.