Folkestone to become the first StoryMap town in the UK

Geo-caching for story lovers is coming to town! Hand of Doom Productions (that’s us!) is preparing to launch the UK’s first ever StoryMap in Folkestone.

The initial six short stories, written by residents or people with a strong connection to the town, will be recorded by actors and then accessed at various points within Folkestone via QR codes and smartphones.

The StoryMap, launching summer 2020, ties in with the Folkestone Triennial theme of Plot.

Supported by Folkestone Town Council and Folkestone and Hythe District Council and its councillors, the project aims to encourage residents of all ages and backgrounds to write and tell stories inspired by its landscape and heritage through workshops.

Writers will be paid a set fee and Hand of Doom Productions, a storytelling and theatre community interest company, hopes that the StoryMap will eventually spread across the town, as well as further along the coast, incorporating oral history too.

Michele Brailsford, of Hand of Doom, who came up with the idea for the StoryMap, said: “Folkestone’s beautiful landscape and amazing history naturally lend themselves to storytelling. The Coastal Park is an ideal location to start because it’s so well used and so well loved by residents and tourists.

“We’re particularly keen to encourage people from all backgrounds and ages to come along to the workshops because unfortunately there are so many barriers to writing opportunities, which are often seen as elitist. This is such a shame because as children, we’re all natural storytellers and everyone loves a great story in whatever format.”

The StoryMap aims to encourage residents to try their hand at storytelling, boost writing confidence, enjoy the mental health benefits of storytelling, get families out and about in the fresh air and boost tourism.

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