Report to The Druid Network by Linda Haggerstone*
A Summer Grove Picnic, on 17 August, 2024
This event was an outdoor picnic designed for asylum seekers and refugees in the Glasgow area. It was planned with an overall focus on caring for our environment and the Earth, and our interconnectedness with nature, especially from Druid and interfaith perspectives.
The Druid Network funded the picnic (venue hire and travel expenses for volunteers), which was co-organised by Linda Haggerstone (TDN) and Fakhriya Abdulkadir (Interfaith Glasgow’s Weekend Club).Activities successfully planned and coordinated were drumming with simple songs (Lorna McTavish of Celebrate Your Heartbeat), stone painting with (Linda), and a treasure trail walk in the Gardens (two Interfaith Glasgow volunteers). Neil Pitchford (TDN) was the official photographer, and Mila Skridla (Interfaith Glasgow) handled promotions and participant online registration.
In addition to the environmental focus of the event, it provided an opportunity for participants to learn about Scottish life, including the experiences of Druids and Pagans in Scotland today. Being delivered and attended by people from a variety of faith and cultural groups, it encouraged dialogue and mutual learning experiences.
Our event was held in the Woodland Glade at the Hidden Gardens in Glasgow’s Southend. We booked this outdoor venue from 12:00 to 17:00 on Saturday, 17 August, 2024, and were allowed by the Hidden Gardens to arrive a little early and unload equipment and materials. Hidden Gardens staff set up the gazebos, tables, and chairs for us in the Glade.
The programme for the afternoon included celebration, knowledge sharing, and creative activities for all.
Mila reported that 27 people had signed up via Eventbrite, but because of the damp weather, 22 asylum seekers and refugees (mostly women) attended the event on the day. Numbers were rounded out by three Interfaith Glasgow staff members, four volunteers, and Linda, Lorna, and later Neil.
At noon, Mila, Magdalen Lambkin (Interfaith Glasgow, acting as a volunteer), and volunteer Dhuha oversaw participant sign in and registration as well as the refund of travel expenses. By 12:30, most attendees had arrived, and Rose Drew, CEO for Interfaith Glasgow, welcomed everyone and introduced the organization and its Weekend Club project. Then, Linda gave a brief description of Druidry and the work of TDN. She also outlined the programme for the day and announced the times and content for activities on offer, i.e., stone painting (with beach pebbles and paint pens) for children and adults and a drumming and singing experience, which aimed to connect participants through the creation of improvised harmony and rhythm.
In a circle, under the shelter of a gazebo, Lorna, a friend of Linda’s, began activities using instruments (hide drums and rattles) she creates herself. Participants particularly enjoyed sharing songs and rhythms from their own cultures, this free self-expression bringing warmth and joy to the afternoon despite the rainy weather. Lorna’s training as a healer with Canadian First Nations and love for the Earth especially resonated with participants.
Meanwhile, Linda hosted the stone painting activities. Participants expressed their thoughts and feelings by painting pebbles from the West Coast of Scotland with colorful and imaginative designs depicting Nature, Home, Friendship, and so on. The calm, studious atmosphere of this activity provided a striking contrast to the energetic and lively drumming and chanting ongoing in the Glade.
To give parents a break, two volunteers led children on a treasure hunt through the Gardens. The children explored different spots along a nature trail outside the Glade using a treasure trail map provided by Hidden Gardens. They learned about its plants and trees while collecting special items listed on the maps.
During the event, Neil, a trustee of The Druid Network and a professional photographer, took pictures of the activities and participants enjoying them, with permission.
After a warm halal and vegetarian buffet meal (13:30-14:30) provided by Interfaith Glasgow’s preferred caterer, we all gathered for more drumming, where participants took the lead. At this time, half of the participants left the event, most likely due to the weather which was rather cold for some. However, the Glade rang with traditional songs mixed with spontaneously created ones, and some women even began dancing, celebrating the Earth and joyful moments spent together. By this time, even the more introverted participants seemed at ease. Volunteers and activity leaders worked hard to make everyone feel welcomed.
The event ended on an emotional note, with participants and volunteers gathering to share their feelings. The majority, despite some insecurities regarding their English, expressed their sense of belonging, their connection with Nature/the Earth, the feeling of community, and their happiness.
Linda concluded the day with the Druid Prayer for Peace.
At 16:30, feedback from participants was gathered, and volunteers cleaned up the space by 17:00.
Participant feedback gathered at the end of the event included:
- “It was a wonderful day full of activities. We enjoyed our time very much!”
- “What a beautiful day. I am interested and happy to be with cute, kind, and friendly people, and the food was delicious.”
- “Keep going, ladies.”
- “What a beautiful day.”
- “I love it a lot. <3<3<3”
- “Nice. Have a nice evening. Thank you.”
- “I liked the cultural aspect and getting to know different cultures. I liked drawing on the stones, and the atmosphere was great, as well as the buffet. Thanks.”
- “Thank you for everything. I am happy. It was a wonderful day full of activities. We enjoyed our time.”
- “I am very happy.”
- “Today was very nice. Thank you very much.”
Funding and expenses information:
| Costs for A Summer Grove Picnic, 17 August, 2024 | ||
| Expense | Amount Funded | Amount Spent |
| Venue hire (w/gazebos, tables, chairs) | £ 314.00 | £ 314.00 |
| Travels expenses for volunteers | £ 168.00 | £ 86.70 |
| Total | £ 482.00 | £ 400.70 |
*Report prepared with input and support from Mila Skridla and Magdalen Lambkin