Every object tells a story

This is a special invitation to the first-ever 26 popup event. All members are invited but our numbers will be restricted to 26 (of course). So it’s strictly first come, first served, and no charge for participation.

The event will be hosted on the morning of 16^th June by 26’s chairman Martin Clarkson, and it will be at his company, The Storytellers.

5 Cromwell Place
London SW7 2JE

The event is based on an extraordinary exhibition at that venue that is open only for a few weeks in June. The exhibition displays the collection of Oliver Hoare, one of London’s most distinguished dealers, who originally learnt his craft in the company of Bruce Chatwin. His love of the rare, the evocative, the seductive shines out from every stunning object in this collection and the stories that he teases out from them. “Every object tells a story” as the exhibition title promises.

There are 450 idiosyncratic objects to stir the imagination. It’s your chance to see and write about a fossilised unicorn’s horn – just as one example. Objects that are historical and phantasmagorical and always intriguing. The idea will be for each of our writers to choose an object and tell its story in a sestude (62 words exactly) written in that location on the day.

We will be helped in this task by the presence of Oliver Hoare who will tell us more about the objects that particularly capture our interest. We’ll gather in the morning from 9.30 for coffee and croissants, then have a private view of the exhibition guided by Oliver.

Then, because this is a popup, our writers will have to respond quickly and creatively to the challenge – on the spot, and in writing rooms set aside by The Storytellers. There will be mystery, challenge, creativity, and the outcome is wonderfully uncertain. But we have high expectations of our members and we aim to post results on our website on the same day.

Our social media team will provide a running commentary to capture the real-time excitement #26stories. And we’re certain it will be a memorable occasion for all those taking part in this early example of Wordstock Deconstructed.

Register your interest now by emailing Rachel Marshall. You can take part only on this day, 16^th June, and only at this place, The Storytellers. The nearest tube is South Kensington.

Please respond quickly to Rachel Marshall.