Come and be in Viv Gordon + The Joans’ new music video by taking part in a Celebration of Release, Remembrance & Collective Resistance

A creative outdoor gathering

Join us for a day of creativity, movement and collective resistance held outdoors around a fire in the beautiful walled garden of Withywood (https://www.withywood.org/contact) near Frome.

Inspired by the spirit of Samhain, an ancient celebration marking the celtic new year, we will make space for reflection and connection as a circle of child sexual abuse survivors and allies.

In the morning, we will work with natural materials to craft symbolic tokens of things we may wish to release, transform, honour or reclaim. The afternoon will continue with a sharing circle and an accessible dance workshop, exploring simple, shared movements that bring us into connection with ourselves, one another and the wider world. No dance experience is needed.

From 4.30pm, we will be filming for the music video for Viv Gordon + The Joans third single And Wot? to be released on 12th Nov ahead of our album launch later that month. Participants can choose to leave before filming commences if they do not want to be in the video. There will be options for people to be filmed without being identifiable if this is needed or preferred.

This is a space intended to centre choice, respect and personal boundaries. There is no pressure to share personal experiences, explain your story or take part in any activity that does not feel right for you.

Come as you are. Make something. Move together. Witness the fire. Be part of a collective act of remembrance, release and resistance.

Full Information sheet available here>> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E3nIwRN0V6xwlmCneMNttsor_qmsb0PD/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103717805566900471617&rtpof=true&sd=true)

Schedule

11am-11.30am: Arrivals and welcome. Free hot drinks and light refreshments (fruit and biscuits) available throughout the day

11.30am-12pm: Check in and an overview of the day

12pm-1pm: Working with materials gathered from the natural world, we will create personal symbolic objects. Through making, reflection and intention, we will explore themes of release, remembrance, transformation and reclaiming power.

1pm–1.45pm: Lunch (please bring a packed lunch) and time to rest and hang out.

1.45pm-2.45pm: Sharing circle - a held space to speak, listen and be heard as we reflect on the morning’s activities

2.45pm-3.45pm: An accessible workshop exploring dance as a practice of connection, grounding and collective expression. Through shared rhythms and simple movements, we will explore belonging, solidarity and the strength that can emerge when we move together.

3.45pm-4.30pm: Shared food (Vegan soup and bread provided) and time to rest and gently transition into the evening and filming.

4.30pm–7.30pm: Music Video Filming — Optional

As the evening draws in, we will gather around the fire for a collective celebration. We will perform some simple symbolic actions together, dance and bring our individual expressions together in a shared act of visibility, resistance and solidarity.

Taking part in the filming is entirely optional. You are welcome to participate in the ways that feel right for you.

Practical Information

Location: Withywood Walled Garden. We will be outdoors, gathered around a fire

Facilitated by: Viv Gordon and friends

Materials: All materials provided

Food & drink: Please bring a packed lunch. Hot drinks, light refreshments and soup/bread provided.

What to bring: Warm layers, comfortable clothing and anything you need to feel comfortable outdoors

Dance experience: None needed

Getting there

Driving/parking: If you are driving to Withywood, you will need to park at Berkley Church of England First School [Berkley St, Frome, Somerset, BA11 5JH].

A member of our team will meet you in the car park and take you to the site.

Train: Frome is the nearest train station, which is an approx 7 minute journey to Withywood. Details here>> (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Frome+Train+Station,+Station,+Frome+BA11+5JU/BA11+5JH,+Berkley,+Frome/@51.2359893,-2.338638,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x48722d609ed7370d:0x2a798009df1862d6!2m2!1d-2.3101542!2d51.2272188!1m5!1m1!1s0x4873d4a897b37595:0xb60da2bbaa51fb72!2m2!1d-2.2721371!2d51.2450591?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)

We recommend that you pre-book a taxi from the station to the train station to the site if you choose to get a train. Taxi numbers are listed below. It may cost between £12.50 - £14 as it will be a Sunday tariff.

Bus: The nearest bus stop is outside Berkley Church of England First School. This is a 7 minute journey from the centre of Frome, costing between £2 - £6 each way. More details are onlinehere>> (https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Berkley-England/Frome?route=Bus&segment=0&accom_comparison=true)

Workshop updates and further information about the space & travel options will be sent via email in the lead up to the event (all emails are sent via

Description supplied by the event organiser.