Raleigh era comes to life at Fairlynch Museum









Millais' painting 'The Boyhood of Raleigh': an inspiration for professional storyteller Steve Manning

Lots of stories could be told about Budleigh characters but the best ones are surely about one of Devon's most celebrated heroes, Sir Walter Raleigh.

Laying his cloak over a puddle to keep the royal feet dry. Getting soaked because a servant thought that Sir Walter quietly smoking his pipe was on fire. The colourful myths and legends about Queen Elizabeth I's favourite courtier have lasted through the centuries.

Now a Devon character from Tudor times will come to life on Monday 8 August at Budleigh Salterton's Fairlynch Museum when professional storyteller Steve Manning, pictured here, will take on the role of Matthew Starke, a sailor who might have accompanied the likes of East-Budleigh born Sir Walter and Sir Francis Drake on their amazing journeys.

He will spin yarns of adventures on the high seas in search of new lands to colonise, Spanish gold to plunder and riches to be given to Good Queen Bess!

"Imagine the sessions as an evocation of 'The Boyhood of Raleigh' painting - eager listeners entranced by the tales of an old sea dog," explains Steve.

"I'm looking forward to being at Fairlynch because it will be a great place to fire the imagination with tales of men like Raleigh who once sailed from Devon into the great unknown in search of adventure."

There will be two story-telling sessions, at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. Admission is free.

Steve Manning is a professional storyteller and live interpreter with over twenty years' experience of telling tales and performing costumed characters in schools and heritage sites. See http://www.stevemanningstorytelling.co.uk/ for more information.

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