In The Shadow of the Trees

In June 2019, an ESOL class from St Chad's Sanctuary performed "Home", a performance that was the catalyst to the creation of Stories of Hope and Home. The interruption of a global pandemic as well as the evolution of other parts of the project meant it was July 2022 before we put on another major performance piece, "Refugee: What do you know about me?" at the REP in conjunction with Welsh National Opera. 

There was no three year wait for the next performance as we were back on stage this July. Again at the REP but this time with a mainly "in house" production. 

There was a little bit of external support with the script from Stephen Camden, the wonderful writer we worked with last year, a bit of support with the movement, and a lot of support with the tech from the incredible team at the REP, but without a doubt one of the best things about this year's performance was that it was very much the group's own creation. 

As "In the Shadow of the Trees" came together, it told the stories they wanted to tell, in the ways they wanted them told, structured around a format they wanted to use. Every idea it contained: the overarching themes and all the little details came from people within the group. Creative vision, writing and performance talent, collaboration and leadership skills emerged, sometimes in unexpected places. I was there throughout and honoured to be part of it. I held space, prompted and encouraged. I typed up scripts and turned up with requested props but overall there was very little of me in the performance, exactly as it should be. 

And it was beautiful!

There was deep joy in watching these people I care about flourish and grow. To see the confidence with which they communicated ideas and brought others along with them. To see their stories, so often sidelined, placed quite literally centre stage and treated with the respect they deserve.

Back in July, we shared the performance with hundreds of school children (and a motley collection of others) and now we can share it with you too. While it will not be the same as watching it live, we are delighted that the REP have shared the filmed performance online so we can reach an even wider audience with a performance which is, if I do say so myself, wonderful!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVMAazIwlNI

A Refuge is ...

The first Thursday in October is National Poetry Day. This year's theme was Refuge so obviously (with thanks to my mum who noticed and pointed it out well in advance), it was something I was keen to invite Stories of Hope and Home to explore. 

We produced a short film and wrote poetry reflecting on the question "What is Refuge?" Both were a collaborative effort between many members of the group, and we were really pleased with how they turned out. 

We shared them with local schools of sanctuary inviting them to engage in exploring the theme too, and it seems appropriate to share them here, as well. (If I'd been a bit more organised, I'd have done so on National Poetry Day. I'm not so I didn't.) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JopdUpW2Urw

A Refuge is – A poem by Stories of Hope and Home

A refuge is

The sound of birds singing in the summertime

And the wind blowing through the trees in the limitless hills

It is raindrops and running water

It is the kettle boiling

It is family laughing, children playing, friends chatting

And my mother’s voice

It is the bustling sounds as I sit by the river in my city

And the gentle breathing of a loved one as I sit in quiet companionship

It is the sound of music

As well as the sound of silence

I found my refuge and it sounds like an echo of myself

The song of my dreams

A refuge is

The taste of warm milk late at night and buttery porridge in the morning

And milky hot chocolate, sipped while chatting with friends

It is sweet, silky honey,

And bread, freshly baked

It is the first sip of juice as we break the fast together

It is wiggly noodles slipping over my tongue

And my mum’s home-cooked food

It is meals shared with friends

It is sea salt on my lips

And the taste of my voice as I sing this victory song

I found my refuge, and it tastes like British cake

And a cup of tea

A refuge is

The sight of a colourful garden filled with beautiful flowers

And a blanket of snow making everything white and clean and silent

It is all the greens of nature

And it is the horizon over the sea

It is the sight of a good friend’s face after a long absence

It is stepping off a train to see a familiar place

It is watching the happy ending of a movie

It is everything I see in my dreams

And then seeing my dreams coming true

It is the sight of a bright future

I have found my refuge and it looks like the first ray of sunlight

Banishing the darkness of night.

A refuge is

The smell of a garden filled with lavender beneath the evening light

And of the first rain in the autumn falling on dry ground

It is freshly prepared coffee

And my dad’s mint tea

It is the smell of a Salvadorean Christmas

It is woodsmoke and incense

And a blue scented candle

It is steam rising from pots and pans

It is delicate flowers and sweet strawberries

And a perfume that fills me with memories

I have found my refuge and it smells like my mother’s kitchen

Where I am always welcome

A refuge is

The feel of comfortable feet in my favourite walking shoes

And of fresh water splashing on bare feet with the sand between my toes

It is hot sun on my skin and wind ruffling my hair

It is a warm bubble bath

And a baby’s cheek

It is the feel of being wrapped up in a snuggly blanket on a cold winter’s night

It is my soft cosy bed

And Fresh, clean pillows under my head

It is the feel of my tummy aching from real laughter

It is the feel of freedom

I have found my refuge and it feels like the hug of a loved one

Holding me safe enough to close my eyes

I have found my refuge

It is a place where I feel I belong.

September: Exploring Film

Generally, I don't watch many films (or much TV), although in recent months I have done so perhaps more than in the past. When I do, I tend to turn to animated kids films or gentle comedy. As far as I recall, the last film I watched that I chose for myself was Fisherman's Friends, which gives you a sense of the kind of thing I'd usually go for.  

But recently I've been watching quite a few different films with a friend who has introduced me to various ones I probably wouldn't ever have watched (and some I might have actively avoided) without his introduction and encouragement. 

None have been the light and fluffy fare I usually stick to. But I have enjoyed all of them or, if in some cases enjoyed isn't exactly the right word somehow, I am glad to have watched them. 

In the past six weeks or so I have watched: AI, Never Let Me Go, Flatliners, The Butterfly Effect, The Whale, Triangle, Parasite, Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, The Hours, The Fountain, Black Swan

In many ways they are quite different to each other: they certainly wouldn't all sit within the same genre, although I suspect some would defy easy categorisation. What they have in common is that they all, in very different ways, deal with complex themes and pose interesting questions. They all wrestle with trying to understand what it means to be human. They have all made me think.

I have long trusted in the possibility of fiction revealing deep truths about who we are. I have read many books which explore the complexities of life and relationships. I guess it should be no surprise that film is able to do the same. 

It has been a lesson that I should perhaps be more brave in my film choices: I am open to recommendations.