The Festival
Absent Friends Week is a national festival of storytelling and remembrance - a space to remember those who are no longer with us and share the stories that keep them present in our lives.
This year, Coastal Community Connections explores Legacy Burdens – the expectations, beliefs and behaviours around grief that we inherit from our families, communities and wider culture. These can shape how we think grief should look, what we feel able to express and what we learn to keep hidden.
Through stories, conversations and shared experiences, the festival invites us to reflect on mortality, consider what truly matters and explore how we can live more fully. Together, we can challenge the way we talk about death, dying and grief, creating space for more open and compassionate conversations.
-
How To Say Goodbye: Paul Duffney
Book TicketsSUN 01 NOVEMBER 2-4PM, ABBEY CHURCH,NB
Local writer, Paul Duffney, illustrates the sometimes dramatic changes in our social trends, describing the changing ways in which individuals and society have coped with the loss of our loved ones. Paul hopes that you too, will find fascination in tracking society’s changes, with surprising sometimes humorous, insights.
To book: Free but ticketed
-
40 Years On...Annemieke
Book TicketsWED 04 NOVEMBER 2-4PM, HOPE ROOMS, NORTH BERWICK
In this workshop Annemieke takes us on a personal voyage, exploring the shaping factors surrounding a father’s death.
Drawing on what she has learned, and continues to learn, from her own journey, Annemieke shines a light on an often-overlooked aspect of bereavement: how losing a parent during childhood can continue to influence and shape us throughout our lives. This event is for all but may be of particular interest to adults who experienced bereavement during childhood.
To book: Free but ticketed
-
Our Coastal Voices: Collective Works
Book TicketsWED 04 NOVEMBER 7-9PM, THE LAW PUB (UPSTAIRS ROOM), NORTH BERWICK
Join Our Coastal Voices Community Writing Group as we launch and share a collection of writing, created through workshops led by award-winning poet and playwright Hannah Lavery, with music from renowned folk musician Ciaran Ryan.
To book: Free but ticketed
-
Good Grief Café
THURS 05 NOVEMBER 7-9.30PM, ST. COLUMBA’S CAFE, WESTGATE, NORTH BERWICK
Our regular group, everyone welcome
Make connections, engage, chat and have a coffee...
This is not a therapy based group but a peer led conversation supported by the Community Connections Team
No booking required
-
Lost For Words: Film screening
Book TicketsFRI 06 NOVEMBER 7-9.30PM, COMMUNITY CENTRE, NORTH BERWICK
Doors open 7pm, film starts 7.15pmAn inspiring, beautiful, poetic documentary that travels the uk landscapes and communities to explore connections amongst its people’s, arts, sciences and the natural living world. Lost words for a living world, lost words for dying: one culture of avoidance, two unfolding inextricably connected aspects that call for our attention. Join us for a post screening conversation....
Tickets: £6 (£3 concessions and those in receipt of benefits)
-
Open Mic Night
Book TicketsSAT 07 NOVEMBER 7-9PM, ST. COLUMBA’S CAFE, WESTGATE, NORTH BERWICK
(Performers are welcome)
Hosted by Paul Duffney of Tyne & Esk Writers, a welcoming open mic night bringing together words, music and creative expression around absent friends, grief, loss and a celebration of the continuing bonds of love - come along to share something or simply listen.
If you would like to read or perform on the night please email: admin@nbc-communityconnections.org.
To book (as a member of the audience): Free but ticketed
