The family and friends of St John’s Church wrapped up an exciting “Great Story Week” last weekend with guest author and story teller, Bob Hartman, who visited local schools and led story telling at the church each afternoon under a tent at the Pembroke parish church.According to Pembroke parish youth pastor, Wayne Hackman: “We were really pleased with the response of the local schools. Bob went down really well and helped encourage children to think about how they might choose to tell stories.“Victor Scott school even spent time creating their own stories, and were so excited about what they had created, the children wanted to continue the experience after we had left.”Many schools were so encouraged that they asked whether Bob could return next year.Afternoons were spent under a tent, or in one of the church halls when the weather didn’t permit, with story telling by Bob and local story tellers and authors, including Elizabeth Mulderig and Florenz Maxwell.“We saw about 30 children each night in the story tent and really appreciate contributions from local authors. Even though the weather was a little damp, it didn’t dampen our spirits and the children enjoyed lots of exciting games, songs, stories and food.”Many were thrilled with the impact the event had on the community at large.“The enthusiasm in the schools was certainly rewarding to see. Many of the teachers and members of staff were facing uncertainty due to some of the movements in the education system. Bob seemed to arrive at a time where people could do with some encouragement and spirits seemed lifted after his work.”The week concluded with a special workshop for story tellers, authors and teachers, hoping to encourage and empower them in their own endeavors in reaching out to children.“The story telling workshop was both entertaining and challenging. We were encouraged to help children use there imaginations in the storytelling process. Florenz Maxwell gave a wonderful account on how she approached writing many of the folk stories written in her book, ‘The Spirit Baby’.”While still to be determined, there is a possibility for the event to return next year, hopefully bigger and better.“Finances willing, we are hoping to take the story telling week up another level next year. Hopefully, we’ll do more encouraging work in more schools and add to the team of people who can encourage youngsters with drama, musical expression and perhaps even a little magic as well.”“It was a successful experiment and hopefully more churches and schools might choose to come on board and make it a bigger, brighter and more educationally enriching experience.”Mr Hackman added: “Thanks to all those who gave up time to make the week happen, particularly the authors, story tellers and the team of volunteers who provided food and supervision for the children.”