HAWORTH Storytelling Circle is celebrating its fifth anniversary with guest storytellers from York.

The group, which gathers once a month to celebrate the art of traditional yarn spinning, is also celebrating World Storytelling Day.

It will host York storyteller Helen M Sant and musician/songwriter Roz Walker, with their performance of The Blacksmith’s Daughter, on March 20.

Adam Sargant, co-founder of the storytelling group, said: “Tales of the Blacksmith and the Devil are some of the oldest stories known to man, but we can expect an evening of traditional tales and original song with a unique contemporary twist.

“Blacksmithing may be seen by many as a dying art, but it is neither dead nor forgotten. The blacksmith’s story continues to cast its spell over all of us, but will the blacksmith’s daughter outwit the devil?”

The tales are reimagined by Helen and told with her characteristic humour and lively perspective, which has been described as bringing storytelling to life for her audience.

Her telling is said to bring a natural spontaneity to the story.

Meanwhile, the haunting tunes and poetic lyrics penned by Roz weave seamlessly in between the tales.

Her musical stories and melodic voice are said to captivate audiences, lifting them into another time. Roz plays both guitar and violin, and will be exploring an interactive percussion piece with the audience.

The Blacksmith’s Daughter takes listeners to a rural past of Old England and around the world, drawing on myth and folklore with tales from Thailand, Greece, Britain and beyond. Many of the stories and songs are Gothic and dark, linking with witchcraft, devil’s curses and the ancient ways.

The event will be at 8pm at the Haworth Old Hall Inn in the back room. Admission is free, although donations will be invited.

Email adam@thestorytellingguild.org.uk or visit thestorytellingguild.org.uk for further information.