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.