The longing for spring to arrive is a strong, stirring emotion for many of us. It is heralded as a key…
Local Tales
View the Summer Book
Enjoy this digital version of the book or download and print.
“Thank you for your creativity and insight which has resulted in what makes the book Great. Not too full of words nor, indeed, not too little a literary input. Congratulations. “
Do you enjoy listening to audiobooks?
Seasons of Stories Summer is now available as an immersive audiobook. The content of the books is performed by the authors themselves and produced, recorded and edited by Tom Hughes to bring the the text and nature inspiration to life wherever you find yourself listening to it. Listen to individual chapters or the entire audiobook.
Part 1
Introducing summer with ‘The Tree Song’ and the book chapter ‘Dawn Chorus’. Includes a dawn chorus poem, story about ‘The Song Thrush’ and the ‘Serenades’ poem. Duration: 3 minutes 40 seconds.
Part 2
Chapter ‘Butterflies and Dragonflies’ includes folk tales, traditional names for butterflies in Dorset, poem on Pollinators. Chapter ‘Meadow Flowers’ includes tales of Oxeye Daisies and the month of May. Duration: 3 minutes, 13 seconds
Part 3
More from the chapter ‘Meadow Flowers’ including the story ‘Lazy Tom’. Chapter ‘Celebrations’ with traditions, a riddle and what to bring for a picnic? Duartion 4 minutes 45 seconds
Part 4
Chapter ‘Heat’ with postcard reading and ‘The Brave Kingfisher’ tale.Chapter ‘Seaside’ with reading of ‘Seagull’. Duration: 5 minutes
Part 5
More from chapter ‘Seaside’ with tale of ‘Raven Brings the Tide’. Chapter ‘Trees and Shade’ with a reading of the song ‘Tree to Sea’ . Duration: 4 mins 27 seconds
Part 6
More from chapter ‘Trees and Shade’ with the tale ‘Heart of Oak’. Chapter ‘Sunset’ with folk tales, and a summer blessing. Duration: 4 mins 30 seconds
Full Audiobook
Listen to the entire audiobook without stopping. Duration: 26 mins 41 seconds
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Supporters
This book was created by Sarah Acton (poet), Martin Maudsley (storyteller) and Spike Golding (designer) in partnership with the Stepping into Nature team and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The audiobook was written and narrated by Martin Maudsley and Sarah Acton. Produced, recorded and edited, plus extra narration and music by Tom Hughes. Recorded at Bridport Youth and Community Centre. Spoken word and questions answered by Amy Farleigh, Ray Grantham, Briony Collin, Alex Green, Gerald Hughes and Jim Shearman. Sound effects from FreeSound.org contributors: Inchadney (plane) Rich Wise (birdsong) Rach Capache (crickets) Juskiddink (woodland birdsong) Ben Boncan (songthrush) Virtual Window Coza (lock) Gneube (lifeless bird) Francois (bird cage) Squashy555 (dawn chorus) Kyle Cuts Films (pond) Xserra (bouzouki) Acclivity (bumblebee) Bruno Auzet (meadow) Puzzle Audio (meadow) Baryy (meadow) Psycho Pancake (tapping metal) Squidge613 (public in park) B Federi (pouring wine) Forfie (fire) Kings Row (fire) Flood Mix (forest stream) Justin EOU (steam) Fission9 (thunderclap) J Bond (raindrops) Strange Horizon (raindrops close) Morgan Purkis (rain in woods) Klaanbeeld (seaside and woods) Robin Hood (swimming) Bidone (raven) Straget (big waves) Nebulous Flynn (birdsong & crickets).
