An ancient sandstone cave in the heart of the Cheshire countryside was transformed into a place of myth and mystery for a special evening of storytelling.
As part of Step into Cheshire, a weekend of events aimed at encouraging visitors to explore the county, Katy Cawkwell re-told the tale of Rhiannon in a cave on the Bolesworth Estate, near Tattenhall.

The secluded cave, once used as a hideout for a band of local brigands, provided an atmospheric venue in which to hear the story, which is based on one of the tales of The Mabinogion. Rhiannon tells how Prince Pwll followed a vision into a cave and took the Queen of the Fairies to be his bride.

The event at Rawhead Farm, which attracted nearly 100 visitors, was organised by the Mythstories Museum of Myth and Fable, based at Wem, Shropshire, and the Bolesworth Estate. Proceeds from the storytelling benefited the Cheshire Rural Trust and the British Heart Foundation.

Ali Quarrell, Mythstories storyteller curator, said: “Rhiannon is a fascinating tale from Katy Cawkwell, one of the talented ‘new generation’ of storytellers.
“It is also a very ancient tale, which would undoubtedly have been told at the time when people lived in caves, so this is a wonderful setting in which to hear it and we are grateful to the Bolesworth Estate for providing us with this special opportunity.”
Other events taking place on the Estate during the weekend, September 18-19, included a farm walk with Bolesworth Land Agent Matthew Morris and a walk around Burwardsley organised by the parish council.