About
Mythstories began in June 1998 as a website of traditional Shropshire tales with associated activities aimed at curious 7 – 13 year olds. A year later this became part of the National Grid for Learning as the recommended site for Key Stage 2 literacy.
Mythstories’ museum opened to the public in 1999. Initially in Shrewsbury town centre, in 2001 we moved to the Morgan Library in Wem. In 2019 we returned to Shrewsbury relocating at the Guildhall campus of University Centre Shrewsbury. During 2022 and 2023 the museum artefacts were dispersed and Mythstories transitioned back to a purely on-line museum.
We:
- Maintain and continually enhance the educational website.
- Run family storywalks and workshops; one-off performances and events and CPD training.
For over 20 years we have organised funded projects with storytelling at their heart. We have worked with artists, local authorities, schools and communities across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, the West Midlands, South Cheshire, North Wales and the mid-Wales borders and with funders large and small.
Much of our work has taken place out of doors – walks in woods, performances in caves and festivals on specific sites. Much has been with young people – encouraging them to explore oral heritage and become young storytellers.
We are a Registered Charity.
Mythstories is where words work.
The Team
Dez Quarréll
Artist in residence
Over the past 50+ years Dez has been a musician, a visual artist and a storyteller.
He has over 35 years experience of working in schools and community settings and co-founded the museum and website.
Ali Quarréll
Key Volunteer Administrator
Ali has a raft of qualifications and years of experience which make her a safe pair of hands for administering the Charity’s work.
Somehow she still finds the time to bring something artistic to the mix.
Dawn Powell
Delivers Continuing Professional Development
Dawn is a Shrewsbury based storyteller with a wealth of educational experience both as a teacher and a storyteller.
Dawn uses a arts and crafts approach to her CPD workshop sessions which are creative, active and inspirational.
Fiona Boyle
Manages Instagram Content
Fiona discovered storytelling through the Mythstories-run Away With Words club when she was a teenager.
She studied Zoology at university and is currently exploring how stories can connect us to the natural world.
Our Trustees
Prof. Simon Poole is Associate Professor of Cultural Education at the University of Chester, the Programme Leader for the Masters in Creative Practice in Education and the Senior Lead in Cultural Education and Research at Storyhouse.
An ex award winning young storyteller now working in the Social Care sector.
Psychologist and mental health researcher by trade, Phil has been a long term volunteer at Mythstories’ events.
Member Best Group Young Storyteller of the Year 2011.
Project Leader STWYTellers (Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Young Tellers).
Studied English & History at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln.
Learning Assistant at Investigate Learning (Lincolnshire County Council)
Member Best Group Young Storyteller of the Year 2011.
National Young Achiever of the Year (Arts) 2009.
Studied Law & Politics at Manchester University.
Works in the Government Legal Department.
An award winning storyteller. Young Storyteller of Wales 2018 & 2019.
Studied at Bangor University.
Works as a Secondary Science Teacher.
Advisory Team
All of our Advisory Team have worked with Mythstories for many years, some even did their school work experience with us.
Now they lend their expertise in storytelling and other areas whenever called upon, and notably sometimes unprompted.
Winner of the Positive Futures Award at Young Storyteller of the Year 2013.
Peer Mentor to Away With Words Storyclub 2012 to 2014.
Studied Food Nutrition at Sheffield Hallam University.
Young Storyteller of Wales 2009/10.
Chairperson of Young Storyteller of the Year 2013/14.
Politico-whizz-kid at the House of Commons.
Curatorial Adviser
Doctor Fiona Collins, who has been a storyteller for many years, brings her academic rigour to bear on the museum’s collections.
what we did last year
a brief summary of events in 2023/24
Our Funders
Logo check our marvellous funders.
In The Media
A selection of media items about the museum.
Support Mythstories
3 different ways to play your part in Mythstories’ future.
