Folk Tales from the Canal Side

Twisting and turning its way through great cities and towns is the eternal navigation: a network of canals that fed the industrial growth of our country. Nowadays we might consider our waterways a place to find peace and relaxation, but under that tranquil surface hides a turbulent past. Storyteller and narrowboat dweller Ian Douglas has salvaged a wealth of stories from the depths. Murder and mystery, heroes and love, devils and oatcakes are all wrapped up in this wonderful book - but beware ... you will never see the towpath in the same way again!

IAN DOUGLAS has been a professional storyteller for 23 years, working at festivals, schools and libraries across the world. His work draws upon a rich vein of British folk tales and world myths, mixed with comedic energy. Ian was the founder member of two story-based theatre companies and went on to become storyteller and theatre practitioner in residence for various organisations across the north, including 'Northern Stage' and 'Live Theatre' in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and most recently 'Theatre by the Lake' in Keswick. It was during this last residency that Ian created 'Storytree', an interactive space designed to enable people to hear, make and share stories - this work has had a major impact on the arts across the North of England.