SNIPPETS of people’s lives are being offered up at a new storytelling club at Oxford.

The SharkSpark club was launched at The Living Room, Oxford Castle, in January and budding bards will meet again next Monday.

Inspired by a similar club in London, the idea is that people come together and tell true, unscripted stories.

Sarah Wolsey, from the Living Room, said: “We thought it would give people a different reason to visit rather than just for food or drink.”

The name is inspired by Radio Oxford’s Bill Heine, who kicked off proceedings at the first event with a tale about how he put up the famous Headington shark sculpture.

About 25 people came to the launch night, with seven people having five minutes each to share stories about eccentricity.

Eight have already signed up to speak at the next event, on the subject of telling lies.

Miss Wolsey said: “It was really nice to talk to people you have never met before and get these snippets of their lives.

“It’s a really nice, relaxed social event.

“The stories they told last month brought so much laughter, and sadness too – a nice mix of different emotions.

“It gives you a real insight into other people’s lives and what they have been through.”

She said she planned to share some stories of her own once the club was established.

Organiser Sara Banerji, a novelist and creative writing teacher, has taken part in events at London and was due to tell a story last month, but gave up her spot to another speaker.

She said: “It really is lovely, it means people can come and share stories with strangers.

“This month we have got a real range of people telling their stories so it should be extremely interesting.

“They are all supposed to be true but with the subject being telling lies I don’t know how true the stories are going to be.”

Joanna Yates, who started the London club, will be among those sharing a story at Monday’s 8pm meeting.

To take part, email sara.banerji@ntlworld.com