William Shakespeare at the Guildhall.

We decided to join the “Royal Treasure Quest” that took place in King’s Lynn over the Queen’s Jubilee weekend and were not disappointed!

The Quest promised to be ‘a voyage of discovery bound only by the imagination.’ Along the way we were transported to far away lands of royal myths and legends, stories of riches, jewels, treasures, kings and queens, magic and mishap, sieges and sages.

We were given a sheet of clues and joined a small group of adults and excited children at King’s Lynn Arts Centre. Our first stop was the atmospheric Guildhall, where we met William Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I. Mr Shakespeare told us the story of how he had invited the Queen to see the first performance of his ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in this very theatre!

Paul Jackson with his Kora

Our next stop was the Fermoy Gallery, where storyteller Paul Jackson brought to life the story of King John’s Treasure, and how it got lost in The Wash.

Paul played us a tune on his West African Kora instrument, and demonstrated his Tibetan singing bowls, which the children were fascinated by.

After having some colourful paper crowns fitted, we carried on to the bandstand in the Vancouver Quarter where puppeteer, Josh Neal, entertained us with a Royal story about the nasty Princess Miranda who was forced to marry beggar and live in a drain.

But the story had a happy ending and Princess Miranda turned into a nice princess and lived happily ever after.

Josh invited some of the children on stage to help with the puppets.

This was followed by another story by traditional storyteller Liam Carrol in the Town Hall Assembly Room. Liam told the story of a King and his Queen and the magical Silver Casket.

Puppeteer, Josh Neal

Liam has performed at various children’s centres and arts festivals, country fayres, school fetes and the Cambridge Folk Festival. He has also performed for the Fairyland Trust.

More recently he has started regularly telling stories for adults at the Tales From The Undercroft club at Jurnet’s Bar in Norwich, at weddings and in pubs.

Down at the Green Quay Visitor Centre we were treated to a story by Laurie Steel who describes himself as “a story teller, jewellery maker, Grecophile, and general bodger and fixer.”

Laurie told the story of the Russian Dolls who were given to a King, and only the King’s storyteller could tell the difference between the dolls.

Finally we ended up at Hanse House, where we joined in to “knees up Mother Brown” with a couple of colourful cockney characters. The children sat down to enjoy some yummy jubilee cakes, and good a time was had by all!

We must congratulate The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, The King’s Lynn Arts Centre Trust and the Vancouver Quarter for organizing a truly enjoyable “Royal Treasure Quest”.

Children enjoying Jubilee cake at the end of the Treasure Quest