Recalling Fire

It began with a question: “What is the role of storytelling in positive, systemic change?”

Since gathering in July 2022, Recalling Fire’s company of traditional oral storytellers has been helping people make stronger self-other-nature connections, by immersing them in mythic, traditional stories and wild places. At the heart of every experience – fireside evenings, workshops, leadership sessions, away days and event programmes – is a hope: to bring wonder back to the ordinary, fall back in love with life and save our home.

How this year’s shaped up

Spellbinding artistry and a distinct talent for the craft have seen Recalling Fire receive much critical acclaim and increased popularity over the past year. In the development of a storytelling workshop approach as ‘Fathoms Collective’ – reimagining work’s place in the 21st century – the company has facilitated team away days and corporate-centric clients to tackle work-based challenges, reconnecting their teams through authenticity and meaning. Positive feedback from both their public and ‘Fathoms’ sessions has led to increased momentum, allowing for the broadening of the Recalling Fire offer and increasing their client base.

“Wonderful storytelling which elicits silences and the feeling that people have about this profession. Really really deep, internal feelings.” Anona Dawson, The Wildlife Trusts

2023 / 2024 Highlights

• Facilitating impactful away days and storytelling for numerous corporate clients as part of the ‘Fathoms Collective’ including Virgin Orbit, The Wildlife Trusts, Roland Berger, Axiom Maths and One Weston Locality Partnership.
• A full calendar of hosted evenings and events around the county, including a new permanent home in ‘The Can’, a new theatre space in central Cornwall, and facilitated spaces at Paradhis Festival, Kernow Healing Fields and the wellness area of Boardmasters Festival.
• Positive feedback from their 2023 events, including their first ‘overnighter’ in a secluded forest glade.

“How do I feel now?”, responded one participant, “Earthed, peaceful, held, tired. Time has slipped backwards and forwards.” Another said “Potential, hope, joy. Because I sense this is what I need, what we need, what the world needs, more than anything, now.”

Where they’re setting their 2024/25 sights

Recalling Fire’s fundamental and ambitious plan is to expand the accessibility of their stories with the aim of reintroducing a familiar, almost forgotten art. They will continue to host events, attend festival line-ups and facilitate events for organisations around England, Wales and Scotland. Plans are afoot to move into the digital realm, where they’ll be able to reach even more people through podcasts and visual platforms. Meanwhile, they are continuing to develop their ‘deepest’ offering: invitational, multi-day experiences in the wilds of Dartmoor.

Growing with Creative UK

“We enjoyed a fascinating mix of networking, learning and pathfinding on the Growth Programme. I’ve really enjoyed the people element, from the team and mentors to the other organisations around Cornwall. I’d recommend it to other growing businesses.” Sam Crosby, Founder