Join us for our annual festival of storytelling and reminiscence celebrating the lives of our loved ones who have died.
This powerful event is now in its sixth year. The sharing of stories, anecdotes and photographs of loved ones with each other offers the opportunity for healing and remembrance. We'll commemorate loved ones while sitting around campfires, sharing time together during 'To Absent Friends' week.
The afternoon will commence at 2pm at the foot of Bellfield Street, by the Swimming Pool and the ‘Wee Green Van’. Like in previous years, where participants shared photos and stories of loved ones round mini-campfires, this year there will be a central campfire, with the option to take a mini campfire (ideally by donation, suggested £10-15 cash or card). Unfortunately we did not get funding to run this event this year which is why a request for donations for the campfires has been made but final costs will be covered by Action Porty in recognition of the compassionate role this festival plays in the community.
The event is free but ticketed to allow us to have sufficient campfires, so please do pre-order those if you'd like your own campfire. If you are attending alone you will be very welcome to sit yourself or to mingle with others. Circulation between and around campfires is encouraged but not required. Let us know what you’d prefer and it is fine to change your mind too.
There will be a creative station where participants will be offered the opportunity to decorate a stone with their loved one’s name which will later be placed in the sea around 4pm, drawing the event to a natural close.
No matter where you are on your grief journey, you are welcome.
Please remember to be prepared for all weather conditions and bring along something to sit on for your own comfort. This is an outdoor event in November in Scotland so please come dressed warmly and for the weather whatever it might be. The intention is for fires to be on the sand on the beach but if accessibility is a concern, please let us know and we'll work something out.
While all precautions will be taken and fire wardens will be present, these are real fires and attendees are asked to be fire sensible and come along at their own risk.
Children are welcome in this outdoor space under the same terms and there will be creative opportunities for them to express themselves too.
Toilets will be available at Bellfield.
Photograph credited to Jon Davey Photography
