Fairytales and folklore stories are in danger of dying out

**Kazimiera** · 07-01-2017, 11:41 AM

Fairytales and folklore stories are in danger of dying out as parents aren’t passing them on to their kids

Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/386073...les-dying-out/

The average Brit can name just three of the stories that have shaped British history

FOLKLORE and fairytales such as Jack The Giant Killer, Robin Hood and the Loch Ness monster are in danger of dying out – because parents aren’t passing them on to their kids.

Researchers who carried out a detailed study among 2,000 adults found two thirds have no intention of regaling their children with ancient stories of derring-do.

What’s more, one in four of those who took part admitted they were unable to name any traditional tales.

A large percentage of those who were familiar with the story of Robin Hood said their knowledge was based on films, rather than learning from their parents.

And despite the existence of thousands of stories which helped shape British history, the average person can name just THREE.

A spokesman for Center Parcs, which commissioned the study to mark the 30th anniversary of their Sherwood Forest park, said: “Storytelling is a great way to bring families together, sharing tales with one another and bonding as they relive family favourites.

“In the year we celebrate our Sherwood Forest anniversary we’re particularly sad to hear that the future of folklore is in jeopardy.

“We want to help people re-discover tales they might have forgotten, not only keeping the legendary history of our nation alive, but also helping to build family relationships around the almost forgotten art of storytelling.”

The study also found half of adults claimed they haven’t heard a folklore spoken about in over six years.

Three in five said they haven’t heard a single folklore story in over two years.

And 54 per cent of people admitted their knowledge of folk traditions that have developed over the centuries is minimal.

The story of Robin Hood is one of the tales feared to be dying out

The confusion about folklore comes as only four in ten adults remember being told folklore tales as a child.

Center Parcs has created a folklore map of Britain to encourage families to tell these once-famous stories to one another again and keep the heritage of the nation alive.

Folklore Society member Jeremy Harte said: “By curating this map, we hope to remind people of the fabled history in their local areas, and hope to see these stories re-told for generations to come.”