Tales of ghost ships, giants, ancient artefacts and even The Three Little Pigs will be brought to life as an Isle of Wight folklore project goes on tour.
New Carnival has secured funding through Creative Island and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation’s Past Futures programme to develop and tour its Folktastic Isle project this autumn.
Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project celebrates the stories, traditions and cultural heritage that have helped shape the Isle of Wight.
Over the past 2 years, New Carnival has been delving into the Island’s folklore, uncovering everything from Morris dancing and its links to the suffragettes to the lost town of Wolverton, the Blackgang and Chale Giant and the Island’s Bull – or ‘Giltern Beast’.
According to the project, one of the earliest written versions of The Three Little Pigs is associated with Merrie Gardens in Shanklin.
The new funding will see Folktastic Isle tour 3 Island locations during September and October.
A new Folktastic Isle Folk Map, illustrated by local artist Katy Rose, will showcase stories, traditions and locations from across the Island, encouraging residents to discover the folklore associated with familiar places.
Free exhibitions will combine historic photographs and literature with creative work and replica heritage objects produced in partnership with the Isle of Wight Heritage Service.
Among the objects will be a replica Roman bronze enamel ‘running hare’ brooch, recreated by local jeweller Sophie Honeybourne, alongside a reproduction of the mysterious Neolithic flint tribratch – thought possibly to have been an early symbol of Island identity – created by expert flint knapper Will Lord.
The Shipwreck Museum will also display memorial books carved from timber recovered from HMS Eurydice, the Royal Navy vessel which sank off the Isle of Wight in 1878 and has subsequently become associated with tales of a ‘ghost ship’ with storytelling, workshops and educational resources accompanying the touring exhibition.
Performing Arts students from the Isle of Wight College have created a new production inspired by Island stories, directed by Charles Bonner with choreography from Iona Wallace and Eloise Preston.
The performances will feature maypole dancing alongside New Carnival’s large-scale costumes and puppets, as well as costumes created specifically for the production by emerging designers Kira Lacey and Joel Lines.
New Carnival Director Hannah Ray said:
“It’s always exciting to discover more people, places and stories connected to the Island. The more we explore and talk to people, the more we find – and the project just keeps growing!
“We hope to create a children’s book of Island folk stories. The Literary Trust has offered to fund printed copies for every Island school if we can raise the money to produce it, so we’d love to hear from anyone who could help make this happen, or if you are able to contribute via our local giving page.”
The Folktastic Isle performances will take place at Ventnor Exchange Arena at Victoria Recreation Ground in Newport from 14:30–15:30 on 13th September; Freshwater Memorial Hall from 18:30–20:00 on 26th September; and Ventnor Exchange Arena at Browns Golf Course in Sandown from 14:30–15:30 on 18th October.
The touring exhibition will be at Lord Louis Library in Newport from 8th–16th September, Dimbola Museum and Galleries in Freshwater from 21st September–4th October and Graft Studios in Sandown from 10th–18th October, opening from 10:00–16:00.
A series of Magic, Mystery and HMS Eurydice events will also see New Carnival join forces with the Shipwreck Museum for a family-friendly magic show exploring the vessel’s history and ghost stories.
Maritime expert and magician Ian Vallance will be joined by eyewitness Gary Ranson, with shows at Lord Louis Library from 13:00–14:00 on Saturday 12th September, Dimbola Museum and Galleries from 19:00–20:00 on Friday 2nd October and Graft Studios from 19:00–20:00 on Saturday 10th October.
A family storytelling workshop will also be held at Lord Louis Library from 11:00–12:00 on Saturday 12th September, when Holly Medland and Corey Gibbs will explore Island legends including a Roman river sprite, Brading Roman Villa’s ‘Gallus’ character and the mysterious running hare.
All events are free to attend, although booking is recommended as capacity is limited at some venues.
Bookings can be made via New Carnival’s online booking page, while those wishing to support the proposed children’s book can do so through New Carnival’s Localgiving page.
