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“To Absent Friends has really captured people’s imaginations since we started it in 2014,” says Robert Peacock of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief, the alliance of organisations behind the festival. “There have been some very poignant and moving events, as well as many lighter moments shared. Just because someone has died doesn’t mean they are not a part of our lives any more. They are there in our stories and memories. The festival gives people time and space to remember those people – whether it’s just raising a glass, or something more formal. In this day and age, we don’t often stop and do that.”  

To Absent Friends will take place across Scotland from 1 – 7 November 2018. For further information contact Robert Peacock on  or 0131 272 2735.

Robert Peacock
Development Manager
Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief

Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care
CBC House
24 Canning Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EG

Tel: 0131 272 2735
Fax 0131 272 2800

@LifeDeathGrief

Galloway National Park Association events in Girvan and New Cumnock completed the programme of public meetings.  Over the past few months they have attended 34 public meetings throughout the South of Scotland and talked to over 1,000 people. 
While they will take a short summer break from meetings the conversation continues on Facebook and Twitter.  Their next task will be to digest everything that has been said and then report all of to their Conference in the autumn. For more information check out the website .

We will support Poppy Scotland’s ‘The 1918 Poppy Pledge’, with the aim of raising £1,918 [as specified by the Pledge] during 2018 to support the armed forces community living in Scotland.   

We will fly the Union Flag and Saltire from County Buildings for an extended period from Friday 2 November until Monday 12 November.       

We will participate in the annual Remembrance Service at Ayr Auld Kirk and wreath-laying ceremonies across South Ayrshire.We will promote the nationwide Day of Commemorative Events, based on communities coming together with pipers, buglers and beacons of light, which is being co-ordinated by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek LVE OBE OPR under the banner of ‘Battle’s Over: A Nation’s Tribute 11th November 2018’.   

We will promote local events organised to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. We would like to encourage your group to get involved in these commemorations and to ensure South Ayrshire’s people and places have an opportunity to pay tribute to those who helped shape the world we live in today.Some further information on how to do this is set out below.

Knitted poppy banner

We’re looking for your help to create a knitted banner of 2018 poppies that will be displayed to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

You can donate as many knitted or crochet poppies as you like and these will be added to our camouflage netting banner donated by the Royal Highland Fusiliers. You can add your poppies directly to the banner on display at Ayr Town Hall, or leave your poppies in our special collection buckets at our customer service centres in Ayr, Maybole,Prestwick, Girvan and Troon.

Poppy patterns are available online at  or from our customer service centres or local libraries. All poppies should be provided by Friday 28 September 2018.​

Battle’s Over: A Nation’s Tribute

A nationwide Day of Commemorative Events, based on communities coming together with pipers, buglers and beacons of light, is being co-ordinated by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek LVE OBE OPR under the banner of ‘Battle’s Over: A Nation’s Tribute 11th November 2018’.

Full details of what is planned – and how to register to take part – are available at www.brunopeek.co.uk.

14th– 16th November in Stranraer “Taking Action”
The Scottish Rural Parliament brings together people from rural communities with decision-makers, for three days of celebration and exploration. Participants examine a wide-range of issues affecting rural communities and make recommendations for change.

I learned new things, was exposed to new ideas about eliciting information and commitment from people and I enjoyed the buzz that was created at the event and being part of it.

​Anyone who lives or works in rural Scotland, or who makes decisions which affect rural Scotland, can attend the Scottish Rural Parliament. It is free for people from community organisations to attend.

​We aim to ensure that each region of Scotland is well represented and that there is a good mix of people with different backgrounds and interests.

The Rural Parliament has the feel of something with enormous potential. It could become a brilliant opportunity to translate community empowerment into action.

​                              click on link to Scottish Rural parliament website

As you will be aware, Sunday 11 November 2018 marks the centenary of the end of World War 1, and a number of special commemorations are being organised across the country to mark this historic occasion. At full Council on Thursday 29 June, Councillors unanimously agreed the following motion, which sets out how this historic moment will be marked in South Ayrshire:

On Sunday 11th November 2018, the people of the United Kingdom and numerous countries across the world will mark the moment the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War. To play our part in remembering the sacrifice of millions of men and women, this Council agrees to commemorate this historic moment in the following ways:
We will work with people and communities across South Ayrshire to create a knitted banner of 2018 poppies that will become a long-lasting tribute to those lost in battle and that can be used at future Remembrance events.