Last Sunday afternoon, something rather special happened at Resonate Together on the Carsebridge Cultural Campus.
What had been carefully planned as the launch of the Alloa Writers’ anthology Journeys became, in reality, something even more powerful, a full house gathering of people united by words, imagination and the simple joy of listening.
The room was set café-style, creating an atmosphere that felt relaxed and welcoming from the moment people arrived.
Cuppas were poured, cakes were shared, and conversations flowed easily between tables.
There was a hum in the air, that particular warmth that comes when people feel comfortable, curious and open.
Nine writers took to the floor across the afternoon, sharing poems and extracts from longer works.
The range of voices was striking.
Some pieces had the audience laughing aloud, delighting in sharp observations and perfectly timed humour.
Others were reflective, tender or thought-provoking, revealing deeply personal journeys and quiet truths.
Together, they showcased not only the quality of the writing, but the rich diversity within the Alloa Writers group itself.
Writer Brian Fearon described it as an 'excellent afternoon and such good fun,' and praised Chris Butcher as 'an excellent MC.'
Chris, who hosted the event, reflected that the afternoon was 'well planned' and that the variety of writing 'went down extremely well,' as evidenced by the lively 'meet and chat' session that followed.
That sense of connection continued long after the final reading.
Jean Edgar spoke of 'a very sociable and enjoyable time,' noting that two new writers were so encouraged by the experience that they plan to attend the next Alloa Writers session on March 5.
Alistair Shand captured the spirit of the day perfectly, calling it 'a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with a variety of voices and approaches to writing.'
At its heart, Journeys is more than an anthology.
It is a testament to courage, the courage to write, to share, to read aloud, and to trust that your words will find a home in other people’s hearts.
It is also evidence that the passion for writing in Clackmannanshire is alive and well.
In a world that can often feel hurried or fragmented, Sunday reminded us of something simple and profound: when people gather to share their stories, community deepens.
And here in Alloa, the story continues to be written, together.
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