Ancient Voices, Modern Inspiration: Storyteller brings Welsh myths to Coleg Ceredigion

Students at Coleg Ceredigion’s Aberystwyth campus were visited by a storyteller who presented an introduction to Welsh mythology and legend.

Milly Jackdaw, storyteller, writer and facilitator explained how she got into storytelling after completing her acting training at Goldsmiths and Morley College in London then progressed to a professional career with Purple Broccoli Theatre Co. She and then gave students a storytelling performance of Welsh myths and folktales. 

The event was delivered to ILS (independent learning skills) and vocational studies (level one) students in the campus studio. 

Its aim was to inspire excitement about the myths and also about storytelling and also about storytelling as an accessible and empowering artform. 

She also explained mythology’s historic importance and contemporary relevance to the tradition of the bard.

Milly runs workshops with adults and children in fields, woods, festivals, theatres and on the banks of wild lakes to better connect to the stories.

Louisa Allison-Bergin, tutor and coordinator for ILS programmes at Coleg Ceredigion said: “Storytelling helps learners with learning difficulties and disabilities by improving communication and language skills, enhancing memory and comprehension, boosting emotional and social development and increasing engagement and motivation. 

“By presenting information in a narrative format, it makes complex ideas more accessible and memorable, while providing a safe way for students to process emotions and develop empathy. 

“It was wonderful for the learners to watch a performance from a storyteller in the studio at Aberystwyth and they really enjoyed it.”