Compassion Summer 2023

23 tcf.org.uk TCF NEWS | SUPPORTIVE EVENTS We arrived at Stirling railway station on a Friday afternoon in the last weekend in March and were warmly met by Garry who drove us to the Stirling Court Hotel. It is a lovely setting on the edge of Stirling University and surrounded by woodland and lovely walks. A fter checking in we were warmly welcomed by Hugh and Maureen and their team and given our ‘pack’ full of information and programme of activities. There was a welcome get together for everyone with refreshments and a drop in for the newly bereaved and first timers. In the evening there was a welcome dinner. John and I were honoured to be table hosts. Each table had a candle which was lit by the host – a very moving moment. There were many activities including group walks around the loch, discussion groups, a performance by the Grangemouth Choral Society, ceramic butterfly painting, pebble painting and lots more. On Saturday morning we were heard from guest speakers, Dr Mick North and Pam Ross. They spoke about their daughters, Sophie and Joanna, who were shot and killed along with their teacher and 14 of their classmates in the gym at Dunblane Primary School in March 1996. The bereaved parents felt there was a need to talk to one another and a venue was quickly arranged. These meetings proved invaluable in helping the grieving parents to deal with the immediate aftermath and to put their lives back together. In the afternoon many of us went to Dunblane Cathedral. We had a chance to walk around and have a quiet period of reflection whilst listening to the sound of a harpist. There was a Memorial to the children and their teacher. Later we went to the Dunblane Centre, which was born out of this tragedy, where we were treated to cream tea by the bereaved parents. It was a very emotional moment for me, and I shed some tears. The Candle Lighting and Memorial Service was held on Sunday morning and was very moving as always. It was soon time to say our farewells after lunch and to say a huge thank you to the wonderful Organising Team: Clare, Max’s mum, Chair; Marion, Lynn’s mum, Karen, Kevin’s mum, Janice, Rachael’s mum, Susan, Matthew’s mum, Maureen and Hugh, Christopher’s mum and dad, and Sam, Scott’s mum. 25th Anniversary of the Scottish Gathering by Irene Baldock A safe place to share Dunblane Memorial