Festival 2023
The To Absent Friends festival took place across Scotland from 1-7 November 2023.
It was an opportunity to remember, to tell stories, to celebrate and to reminisce about people who have died but remain important to us.
Information about some of the events that took place is below.
Forever in Our Hearts
Organised by Aileen Palmer, celebrant
Thursday 2nd November, 1.30pm- 3.30pm
Moffat Distillery in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway.
This event is open to the public
Come along to the Moffat Distillery and enjoy an afternoon tea to mark Absent Friends Week, an annual festival of storytelling and remembrance. This is an opportunity to remember, reminisce, tell stories and celebrate the lives of those who have died.
All of us have been touched by death and grief at some point in our lives, but in our culture it can be difficult to talk about it. This afternoon is an opportunity to come together to remember and share special memories, recipes, photographs and funny stories about loved ones or just to be in the company of others and listen in a relaxed and friendly environment. Please come along and enjoy a chat with some storytelling, sharing of memories and reminiscing while having fun.
To book your place, please email aileenpalmercelebrant@gmail.com.
Image credit: Aileen Palmer
Samhain Dead Good Beach Walk, Storytelling and Sea Dip
Organised by Andrea Taylor, celebrant
Friday 3rd November 3.30pm -5pm (sunset 4.30pm)
Portobello Beach, Edinburgh
This event is open to the public
Bring your Absent Friend and join myself, Andrea Taylor, a Volunteer Daisy with Scottish Charity Pushing Up The Daisies and Life Celebrant, along with my Absent Friend, for a Samhain Dead Good Beach Walk.
After our walk there will be time to sit fireside, introduce our absent friend, share their favourite food and our favourite stories while pondering things death, dying and living well before taking a moment to reset with a dip in the Firth of Forth.
We will return to the fire as the sunsets to hear Professional Storyteller, Sarah Wedderburn-Ogilvy share tales of the season and stories for the soul.
We're looking forward to meeting you and your absent friend.
Please bring some of their favourite food with enough for everyone and them of course
Dress for the weather, bring a mat, towel or folding chair for getting comfy fireside, maybe a log for the fire and of course, anything you might need for a cold water dip (please remember sea dip is optional)
Spaces are limited so please contact me, Andrea, at soulfulcelebrant@aol.com for further information and to book. No drop-in available for this event.
Instagram: @soulful.celebrant
Photo credit: Andrea Taylor
Café Conversations – Remembering Absent Friends
Organised by Eddleston Cafe Conversations
1-10 November 2023
Eddleston
Eddleston Cafe Conversations was set up as a resource for the community. It aims to provide a non-judgmental space for people to ask and discuss the big questions about living, dying and grieving. It is built on the understanding that we are a community with different experiences and expertise, and that through sharing we can help support each other through challenging times.
There will be a series of three community ‘get-togethers’ to mark the To Absent Friends festival. One will take the form of a candle-lit remembrance gathering which will take place in our local Church and will be a led activity including specially selected pieces of music and storytelling passages. The other two events will take place in Eddleston Village Hall over two lunchtimes and will involve small groups (including a volunteer to help get the ball rolling) sharing stories and memories of friends and family who are no longer with us whilst enjoying light refreshments.
A floral tribute in memory of absent friends will be stationed in the village, creating an important space for private reflection and contemplation.
Photo credit: Jo Oliver
Grief tending event – a deep sharing circle online
Organised by Grief Tending Scotland
Wednesday 1st November 7 to 9.30 PM
Online via Zoom
This event is open to the public
Grief Tending in the community is a free online event as part of the Absent friends festival. Whatever your culture or tradition, Douglas and Maeve invite you to join us for a evening of grief-tending in Community, a space of remembrance and sharing of grief.
We’ll give our presence and attention to any and all layers of grief that arise in the day. To help us frame our scope, we’ll use the ‘Five Gates of Grief’ that Francis Weller describes in his book ‘The Wild Edge of Sorrow’. You don’t need to have read the book to take part.
Facilitators
Douglas Guest has over 30 years’ experience of working in the public and 3rd sector, and has been running men’s groups and grief tending in community events for several years. He has led on seminars and conferences in an number of fields, written national training programmes, and co-created Year of the Dad for Scottish Government.
Maeve Butler works in psychotherapies and third level education. She has been connected with the Salisbury Centre since 2012, and has been engaged with various forms of grief work since 2019, including Grief Tending in Community.
Robin Botley is an experienced facilitator and Elder with the Mankind Project community in Ireland. He currently supports a small team hosting small groups at the Song House retreat centre in Falcarragh, Donegal. My soul seeks every opportunity to share and be with Grief circles.
For more information and/or to book your place, email douglas_guest@yahoo.co.uk
To book directly: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZPwQ5Ni_9-W_VzpJfnFCqg9jg6vcgQXxhZxwSvlIlgM/edit?usp=sharing
Photo credit: Grief Tending Scotland
Absent Friends Supper
Organised by No-One Dies Alone Ayrshire
November 1, 2023
Troon
NODA Ayrshire are organising an absent friends supper for members of their bereavement support groups. They will meet in Troon on 1 November. The event will be a storytelling event where participants are invited to share a story of their loved one in celebration of the life they led.
Image credit: No-One Dies Alone Ayrshire
RSS