HOPE AND ANCHOR

The Hope and Anchor returns as a venue for its second year at Solas Festival! Imagine a pub where the bar is dry, but the conversations never are. This is the Hope and Anchor - an alcohol-free space for all-ages hosted by the Methodist Church. Come as you are to relax, do some craft activities, enjoy the bubble tea bar, play games or to participate in the programme. Don’t miss our card game that defeats mundane small talk – Conversations Against Mundanity – come and try it out and let the conversations flow.

Friday 8pm - A conversation about: healing for the heart, with Shona Stirling
Is it possible to fully heal in body, mind and spirit from difficult or traumatic experiences? How do we approach emotional health and wellbeing personally and in community? Come and join the real talk as Shona Stirling shares about her experience of supporting leaders through Healing for the Heart. 

Saturday 10am - A conversation about: Nice body? Spirituality, shame, and body positivity with Kathryn Campbell
What does spirituality have to do with my body image? It turns out, quite a lot! Come along and join in the conversation as we ask questions, share stories about our bodies as of spiritual beings. 

Saturday 11am - A Vigil for Peace
The peoples of Palestine and Israel have faced unimaginable losses in recent months. Join us as we lament those losses together, through readings, symbolic actions, music and the powerful experience of silent solidarity-  and commit to peace.  With Rachel Morley, Alison Phipps and Alexandra Shrinivas.

Saturday 12pm - A conversation about: how humans touch the earth with Kathryn Campbell
The climate crisis is real and happening all around us, but how does it affect the way we connect with nature? Bring your questions and your experience and let’s talk

Saturday 2pm - Human touch storytelling workshop with Renita Boyle
Meet tongue-twister, tale-teller and poet, Renita Boyle and unpack the power of storytelling together in this interactive and creative workshop.

Saturday 4pm - A conversation about: living in a disabled world with Rev Mark Cooper
Real talk about disability, faith and the vital role of inclusion in creating spaces where we all can thrive. Come and help shape the conversation with us. 

Saturday 5pm - A conversation about: the spirituality of laughter, with Tony Vino
Want a chance to ask a comedian how they come up with new material? Or what jokes have to do with faith? Or to try out your own favourite one-liner? Come along and join in!

Saturday 6.30pm - Stand Up Comedy with Tony Vino
The Hope and Anchor is delighted to host the acclaimed comedian Tony Vino, in a stand up set suitable for all ages.

Saturday 8pm - A conversation about: recovery church, with Laurent Vernet
Bring your comments, questions and suggestions to Rev Laurent, who runs a recovery church in Glasgow as part of the Methodist Church’s commitment to ministering alongside people with addictions. 

Prayer trail

Have you spotted that there is a meditation prayer trail around the festival site? The trail is made up of ten stations all on the theme of Human Touch and using Christian spirituality to invite you into a moment of rest and reflection. It’s appropriate for all ages. If you’d like to complete the whole trail then you can grab a map from the Hope and Anchor tent.