“We were very privileged to make the journey to gather together with our deaf friends in the “GoOutdoors” group at Evanton Community Woodlands on 21st and 22nd May. The Gathering itself was a great delight, as we heard the full story of the wonderful Memory Quilts project, so ably told by Lizzie, Ian, Davy and Brian. We enjoyed marvellous rolling conversation and food together, and finished up with a great musical session. Duncan McGilvary, one of Scotland’s greatest pipers played pipes and whistle, Davy himself excelled on spoons and percussion and Paul played bazouki. Everyone else joined in on percussion. The video is being prepared!!! Laughter and the positive sharing of stories filled the woodland air.
It is a long journey to Evanton, from Lockerbie, Inverness, Coatbridge and Glasgow. The train journey is slow, and the day passes by with the beautiful landscape. Waiting in Inverness for the connection to Dingwall gave us the chance to explore a couple of bookshops together, and it was late afternoon when we arrived and/or met up in Dingwall. Our hotel was modest but we all slept well after a great fish supper. We spent the morning exploring good breakfasts (there is still a Wimpy’s in Dingwall!), more bookshops and other places that took our interest.
Everywhere we went we discussed the dementia journey, and everyone had heard of Evanton Community Woodlands and its dementia aspect. We were christened the “Dementia Revolutionary Front” in the Bookflights Bookshop.
There are great things happening at Evanton Woodlands, and even though we lost the wheels from our suitcases on the final path up to the cabin, we are so pleased and proud to have made the DEEP connection to the Outdoors and the positive power of storytelling by making the arduous and ultimately rewarding journey of over 500 miles, by car, train, bus, taxi and finally ON FOOT. Our conversations on route increased awareness of dementia, and demonstrated that even with the greatest challenges, people living with dementia can, and do connect and make a difference.”
