Diary

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Events

May 4th begins a new series of Aisteal on STV. One of the progammes features me telling a tale of Pearl Fairies in Ochtertyre wood-don't have the date for that one but keep an eye on TV listings and you might enjoy the scenery- its spectacular.

May 10th Netherbow Edinburgh 7.30pm
Through Straths and Glens. Close to my heart event with stories and songs of the olden days especially drover tales, myths and legends from travelling folk. Stuart Machardy and I shall present a night of drifting back into the olden days-why not come along and join us. check web for more info

June is the month of celebrating Gypsy, Traveller, Roma culture. if you hear or see of an event, go and enjoy what shall promise to be an eye opener. We need to understand all our people, regardless of what we have perceived from past generations. Now is the time to join hands and be a true nation. Every year it is hoped that June with its long warm nights and flowers shall be recognised as the month of colours. Keep an eye out in the press

June 14th 1.30pm, 7pm, Celebration of Betsy Whyte. (will put in venue when I get it.) Check press for details on this one. Sheila Stewart MBE and I shall be performing and saluting the memory of the first Scottish Traveller to put pen to paper and create the classic -'Yellow on the broom.' If its anything like last year it will be excellent! keep an eye on press for detals of other artists taking part

June 15th; off to Suffolk for a week storytelling in 16 schools through out the area.
June 23rd home and returning for a week of entertaining Leeds.

July 25-27th Cullerlie Weekend. A fantastic line up of some of the richest tradititional singers in the country. I am honoured to be sharing the stage with Danny Couper, Shona Donaldson, Bill Gray, Jimmy Hutchison, Sam Lee, Oliver Mulligan,Rosie Stewart, Sheila Stewart MBE
Workshops, flower and basket making, sing arounds, concerts galore; not to be missed,
phone for more info or to book 01224 645486

August 25th-29th; Traveller/ Gypsy Festival in Edinburgh. Sheila and I shall be performing in celebration of Duncan Williamson at the Storytelling centre Netherbow. date to be finalised
www.scottishstorytelling.co.uk

September 6th, 11am; Moulin Church. Exhibition of traveller photos and info from the past, rare photo and info from log book of the infamous Aldour Tinker School. Author Sandy Reid with his display of photos. Kids storytelling at 2pm with concert in evening 7.pm; special guest (Queen among the heather) Sheila Stewart MBE.

September 16th 7.30pm-9pm; come along to st Ninians library, Mayfield Centre, Stirling for a blether and song or two. check stirling library for details

October 25-27th; a wonderful weekend of storytelling with Irelands finest. Slieve Bloom Festival is a must for those you seek atmosphere of Irish tale telling. check web for details of all storytellers taking part

a tremendous array of groups and churches, clubs, libraries, book festivals etc, shall keep me busy in between above dates and the completion of my ongoing novel.

New book shall be published end of year, its the one you have all been asking about. 'Sookin' Berries' will delight the lover of olden tales from age 10-100. Scottish stories are the best in the world. I owe a great deal of gratitude to dozens of tale keepers who without hesitation shared wth me their treasures.



| posted by Jess Smith |

Nova Scotia

A few years back a delightful chap called John Long wrote to say he'd read my books and was convinced we were related. He was right! Mum's dad; Nicky Power's sister Winnifred who married Charles Long from Nairn emmigrated from Auld Scotia to Nova; John was their grandson. He came over two year ago and it was super to meet him. From the moment we met it was spooky how much we had in common. Unknown to me my husband Davie secretly organised a visit over the Atlantic to visit with my new found relatives. John's brother James is the only one still living the life of a traveller, sister Winnie and the rest of the clan are settled in houses. Good Friday was a celebration of the family;19 came and we had a super time. Granddaughter Vanessa's husband Arron who is a film maker recorded the day and all I can say is many thanks all you lovely people. to John and Arlene a big thanks with hugs galore. To Winnie and Neil; the Blue Nose sits happily on my unit with its sails signifying we shall return. To Mum's cousin, another Winnie still with a super scottish accent was a delight to converse with; albeit hundreds of phone miles away. March can be freezing in that part of the world but snuggly situated in the beautiful Marriott hotel on Halifax's harbour front with its king-size bed and 42 inch telly-we survived! Breakfast in bed helped too.

| posted by Jess Smith |

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Bruar's Rest

To all you lovely people who tell me they suffer from varying degrees of poor eyesight-'Bruar's Rest 'is now in large print! ( Hardback)
Book shops can order it, alternatively it can be obtained from publisher -ISIS publishing LTD, unit 7, Centremead, Osneymead, Oxford, OX2 OES

| posted by Jess Smith |

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

THE MATTED CAT

Thank you for the healthy interest in my first traditional CD 'THE MATTED CAT' which is now available through info@jesssmith.co.uk priced £11.50+50p pp address- 1 GLENTURRET,CRIEFF,PH7 4LD. It's old Scottish songs, stories, poems and haunting music. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did recording. Discovering what 'THE REAL LOCH NESS MONSTER,' is will not diminish monster seekers in fact they will be more determined than ever to search it out. Songs are tradititional and go as far back as any old story song can. Poems are accommpied by the haunting music of Derek Richardson and Pat Stuart of 'ON THE WAGON ' fame. Now I'm not one to ignore Madam Humour and I've included her through out. Why did I try to part my cousin from his member? Well as one of eight girls I didn't know it wasn't a slow worm. KELPIE horse will not be denied his prey- this terrified me as a child and still to this day I hurry past a dark lochen in a spooky glen. My prose of SCOTIA'S BAIRN which featured in the millenium edition of Sunday Post and Jessie's Journey refers to the differences between a thirteen year old ethnic girl and a same aged accepted, its worth listening to,I think. That's a sample of what the 'MATTED CAT' contains.

| posted by Jess Smith |

 

 

 

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