Episode 7: The White Trout of Stockbridge

This is a magical tale of love and tragedy, set in one of Test Valley’s beautiful chalk rivers.

Isolda and Benen discover their shared love for each other and the natural world and plan to get married. When tragedy strikes, however, a legend is created and ultimately tested by someone who has lost his belief in magic.

This is my adaptation of ‘The White Trout’ which originates in Ireland. My version is written for the beautiful location of Stockbridge in Test Valley in Hampshire.

After the story, I interview Maggie Shelton, from Watercress and Winterbournes, and learn about how these beautiful habitats were created, and how we can get involved and help protect them for the future.

The episode is accompanied with music by renowned folk musician Paul Sartin and Hampshire Country Dance Tunes from the Pyle family manuscript of 1822, recorded at WildGoose Records in Wherwell. 

This story is part of Test Valley Tales.

'Test Valley Tales' is an Arts Council Funded project and one of Test Valley Arts Foundation's Borough of Culture Legacy Projects. All the stories are set in the beautiful landscape of Test Valley which is in Hampshire in England.

There is also an illustrated book of the all the stories which accompanies this podcast. This is available from my website. Please see link below.

Hope you enjoy it!

 Story written by Amanda Kane-Smith, based on a traditional Irish folk tale.

Podcast produced by Miles Kane-Smith.

Music by Paul Sartin recorded at WildGoose Records in Wherwell.

 Test Valley Tales can be found on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter as @testvalleytales.

For more information please go to:

www.merry-go-roundstorytelling.co.uk/testvalleytales