Storytellers visit gardens (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Storytellers visit gardens

TAKE a garden overflowing with roses, three storytellers, two Celtic harps and the riddles of a seventh century abbot, and what do you have?

The answer, Riddles and Roses: Stories for Midsummer's Night, at Abbey House Gardens, Malmesbury, on Saturday, June 21 at 8pm.

Cotswold-based Chloe of the Midnight Storytellers joins Tetbury potter and storyteller Chris White and John Hartoch, an actor and storyteller from Bristol.

Their programme of tales and songs is inspired by Aldhelm, first abbot of Malmesbury.

The seventh century saint walked, wrote, sang and played the lute in the Abbey House grounds - and his delightful riddles survive to this very day.

These, plus new puzzles devised by John Hartoch, will pepper the show, and will be hidden around the garden for the audience to find and solve.

The gardens, which include superb waterside and woodland settings, a splendid array of herbs and Britain's largest collection of roses, are open from 5.30pm and spectators are invited to bring picnics.

Cushions are also recommended for the show - and probably some warm clothing, in spite of this being midsummer.

Please book in advance by telephoning 01666 827650.

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