INSPIRED by a tale that first appeared in the Ross Gazette in December, 1886, performance storyteller Tony ‘Monty’ Hirst will be telling the tale of the sin eater of Ross, as well as recounting the legend of how Old Maid's Walk got its name.

Demonstrating that stories aren't just for children, this is a great opportunity for audiences with a bedtime after the watershed to rediscover the magic of a story well told.

In a show at the Crown and Sceptre Inn in Ross-on-Wye on Tuesday, March 10, it also features several other traditional tales and legends, including the Forest tale of Old Ellen and the May Hill Sensation, we are assured that the bears will not be mentioned.

Tony ‘Monty’ Hirst is a traditional storyteller, based on the Isle of Wight, with family in Ross-on-Wye. He has already performed several sell out performances with folk duo, The AnyWhens, and appearances at open mics around Ross and at the Forest of Dean folk club, this is his first show in Ross-on-Wye.

Monty said: “The stories that speak most to me are stories that have origins a hundred years or more ago.

“Rather like entering an old Church that still echoes today with the rituals of times past, I like the idea that a tale I tell could have been told several generations ago.

“The stories I tell typically come to me in a variety of ways including those I’ve encountered as reports of historical events that I’ve then worked up into tales.”

Copies of "The Sin-Eater of Ross-on-Wye & Other Local Tales", a booklet which includes the tale that originally appeared in the Ross Gazette almost 140 years ago, will also be available on the night.

The event begins at 7.15pm and tickets, priced at £5 are available on the door, and in advance from montystoryteller.org.