The Third Andrew Raven Memorial Weekend
Ardtornish 19-21 June 2009
Vital Communities
The Andrew Raven Trust Memorial Weekends seem to be a sort of slow-cooking process - highly stimulating and sustaining for those who partake, yet relaxed and not driven by the demands of output, and with a subtle wider purpose of letting flavours diffuse out over time. The recipe, though varying slightly from year to year, is tried and tested - 30 or so participants (invited "by a mix of guile and serendipity"), hosted in Ardtornish's Edwardian comfort; fed, watered and mixed well by the light hand of the Raven family and other members of the Andrew Raven Trust. This process is in memory of Andrew Raven, whose understanding and commitment to rural development inspired so many people throughout his life. According to Andrew's own brand of hospitality, participants were invited to share and see, not to work, but to enjoy themselves - none of which was difficult.
The theme for this third annual weekend was "Vital Communities" - what attributes do our communities need to survive the rocky road ahead with vigour and profitability? It is probably not surprising that other networks have come simultaneously to this same topic, given the hefty dose of economic reality currently going down, but amongst Ardtornish's guests this year there was a striking commonty of beliefs and concerns, and a very resonant feeling that the vitality of our communities, at whatever scale, will be the answer to how we tackle our rocky road.
As usual, the weekend's formal presentations and structured discussions were interspersed with time to walk and talk - getting to know each other, our hosts and the local environs - and other ingredients for collective vitality and fun, which this year included a virtual shopping spree in the Ideal Shop.