Not all in the same boat…

Donna Rutherford explains the idea behind her sharing events Many Rivers to Cross in Thornliebank, Busby and Barrhead during November:

‘I decided to put together this short performance as a focal point for further community discussion around the issues held dear and look forward to next year’s construction of East Renfrewshire‘s specific memorial. This is the way I usually work – layering audio interviews, observations, song, and visuals - leading into chat about issues raised in the theatre piece. We heard from 12 - 90-year-olds and a true variety of pandemic experience and opinion - illustrating my original criticism of the phrase “we are all in the same boat”. ‘

Remembering Together Evaluation associate Dr Fiona Dean said: ‘It’s quite a thing to take all that material and create those narratives Donna - folks obviously felt very comfortable sharing with you. The words worked so well located the way you did, in the context of the landscape and how it shaped community. Really helped you think how the stories could connect across the different geographies of people and place. Then the lady who spoke of ‘forgiveness’ that was very powerful - forgiveness for lost time… it made me think of my own mum – at 91 those 2 years of lost time must mean even more and harder to make time up – I was thinking for the woman who said that it must feel the same.’

For more information about Remembering Together East Renfrewshire contact: artsandheritage@ercultureandleisure.org