A STORYTELLER is on a whirlwind tour of the town, capturing children's imaginations from every vantage point.

Children's writer Neil Griffiths has proved it is possible to spin a tall tale anywhere - up a tree, on a climbing wall and in a sailing boat.

Several thousand youngsters have listened attentively to stories about Messy Martin, who can't keep food in his mouth, and other characters during the storytelling festival.

Youngsters were taken on imaginary journeys in various settings, including Coate Water, Roves Farm, the Steam Museum and Borders bookshop.

Mr Griffiths said: "Storytelling is a tradition we are losing. It is so crucial to develop children's love of reading. Bedtime reading is an important time of the day. But, all over the world, it is a tradition we are losing. I want to encourage parents to read to their children."

The former headmaster has told yarns in unexpected places, including Swindon Town's County Ground, at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway and in the Great Western Hospital.

The Anytime, Any Place and Anyone festival has marked the 10th anniversary of the Storysack concept, invented by Mr Griffiths when he headed Westlea Primary School.

The fortnight-long tour reaches children from about 25 schools and aims to encourage them to read as part of Swindon Libraries Summer Reading Challenge. Swindon Libraries and the council hosted the free event, which is said to be the first of its kind in the UK, in collaboration with Mr Griffiths.

Yesterday, he told stories while aboard the Swindon and Cricklade Railway and appeared at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery.

The storyteller will come to the end of his marathon set of tall tales on Friday when he will be on call to tell stories. He will respond to live' requests from the public to tell ad-hoc tales in their own settings.

The tale spinner has his dad to thank for his unique talent, but says anyone can learn to hold children's attention. He has hosted workshops to teach parents how to read out loud with confidence.

"I'm following in the tradition of my dad - David Griffiths. I learned you have to be animated. It is about facial expression, body language and voice.

"I give parents simple techniques to bring stories to life."

Last Tuesday, 200 people gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Storysack at University of Bath campus in Swindon.

Messages from storysack fans around the world were conveyed on video during the event, which was attended by Mayor Michael Barnes and Swindon's Chief Officer for Education, Hilary Pitts.

A STORYTELLER is on a whirlwind tour of the town, capturing children's imaginations from every vantage point.

Children's writer Neil Griffiths has proved it is possible to spin a tall tale anywhere - up a tree, on a climbing wall and in a sailing boat.

Several thousand youngsters have listened attentively to stories about Messy Martin, who can't keep food in his mouth, and other characters during the storytelling festival.

Youngsters were taken on imaginary journeys in various settings, including Coate Water, Roves Farm, the Steam Museum and Borders bookshop.

Mr Griffiths said: "Storytelling is a tradition we are losing. It is so crucial to develop children's love of reading. Bedtime reading is an important time of the day. But, all over the world, it is a tradition we are losing. I want to encourage parents to read to their children."

The former headmaster has told yarns in unexpected places, including Swindon Town's County Ground, at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway and in the Great Western Hospital.

The Anytime, Any Place and Anyone festival has marked the 10th anniversary of the Storysack concept, invented by Mr Griffiths when he headed Westlea Primary School.

The fortnight-long tour reaches children from about 25 schools and aims to encourage them to read as part of Swindon Libraries Summer Reading Challenge. Swindon Libraries and the council hosted the free event, which is said to be the first of its kind in the UK, in collaboration with Mr Griffiths.

Yesterday, he told stories while aboard the Swindon and Cricklade Railway and appeared at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery.

The storyteller will come to the end of his marathon set of tall tales on Friday when he will be on call to tell stories. He will respond to live' requests from the public to tell ad-hoc tales in their own settings.

The tale spinner has his dad to thank for his unique talent, but says anyone can learn to hold children's attention. He has hosted workshops to teach parents how to read out loud with confidence.

"I'm following in the tradition of my dad - David Griffiths. I learned you have to be animated. It is about facial expression, body language and voice.

"I give parents simple techniques to bring stories to life."

Last Tuesday, 200 people gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Storysack at University of Bath campus in Swindon.

Messages from storysack fans around the world were conveyed on video during the event, which was attended by Mayor Michael Barnes and Swindon's Chief Officer for Education, Hilary Pitts.

A STORYTELLER is on a whirlwind tour of the town, capturing children's imaginations from every vantage point.

Children's writer Neil Griffiths has proved it is possible to spin a tall tale anywhere - up a tree, on a climbing wall and in a sailing boat.

Several thousand youngsters have listened attentively to stories about Messy Martin, who can't keep food in his mouth, and other characters during the storytelling festival.

Youngsters were taken on imaginary journeys in various settings, including Coate Water, Roves Farm, the Steam Museum and Borders bookshop.

Mr Griffiths said: "Storytelling is a tradition we are losing. It is so crucial to develop children's love of reading. Bedtime reading is an important time of the day. But, all over the world, it is a tradition we are losing. I want to encourage parents to read to their children."

The former headmaster has told yarns in unexpected places, including Swindon Town's County Ground, at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway and in the Great Western Hospital.

The Anytime, Any Place and Anyone festival has marked the 10th anniversary of the Storysack concept, invented by Mr Griffiths when he headed Westlea Primary School.

The fortnight-long tour reaches children from about 25 schools and aims to encourage them to read as part of Swindon Libraries Summer Reading Challenge. Swindon Libraries and the council hosted the free event, which is said to be the first of its kind in the UK, in collaboration with Mr Griffiths.

Yesterday, he told stories while aboard the Swindon and Cricklade Railway and appeared at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery.

The storyteller will come to the end of his marathon set of tall tales on Friday when he will be on call to tell stories. He will respond to live' requests from the public to tell ad-hoc tales in their own settings.

The tale spinner has his dad to thank for his unique talent, but says anyone can learn to hold children's attention. He has hosted workshops to teach parents how to read out loud with confidence.

"I'm following in the tradition of my dad - David Griffiths. I learned you have to be animated. It is about facial expression, body language and voice.

"I give parents simple techniques to bring stories to life."

Last Tuesday, 200 people gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Storysack at University of Bath campus in Swindon.

Messages from storysack fans around the world were conveyed on video during the event, which was attended by Mayor Michael Barnes and Swindon's Chief Officer for Education, Hilary Pitts.