Today I participated in the Merchant square craft fair. Located in the heart of Glasgow, it holds true to its historical trading roots and allows contemporary makers and designers the opportunity sell through a time-honoured approach- with the addition of heat and fairy lights.
The atmosphere is fantastic, great food and drink at hand and a diverse range of top of the range, handmade stalls.
I was enjoying the company, chatting with buyers and getting some good old Glesga banter as they came and went.
On either side of me, I had extremely talented vendors; Shindig, a laser cutting duo from Glasgow, and Grant Hugh Jones, a fine art photographer from England/Australia/Scotland.
After watching one another’s stalls and hearing stories of Grant’s photography adventures with his glamorous girlfriend, the subject of a wildflower came up.
The paint stall woman had come over after chatting to Bea, the photographer’s mother, and insisted the photographer gave the picture of the wildflower to his mother, and asked that he wouldn’t tell her until she got home.
I thought it was a lovely gesture, and joked that his mum, Bea, must have great patter.
Then he told me the story behind the flower.
In May 2008, Moira Jones was murdered in Queens Park, Glasgow. With the sudden loss of Moira, the photographer’s sister, the family were sent into despair and found their circle of friends and love and support they received helped them through the trauma of the event.
In the aftermath of this tragic event, Moira’s mother, family and friends set up a charity to help others who have been traumatically bereaved by the murder or manslaughter of a loved one.
Grant, the photographer to my left told me of how the charity they set up has helped over 100 families this year who have been bereaved in such a tragic manner.
He said they understand the pain that comes with it, and how it can destroy a family emotionally and financially. They help these families by assisting with costs from flowers to giving the families a holiday away to try and give them some escape.
Through the humility selflessness of such a courageous and strong family they have demonstrated that something beautiful can be created from something so tragic.
Little did I know the photographer to my left, trying to make a living from his passion, not asking for the world, had such a powerful story to share.
It goes to show there’s a story in everyone, all of these sellers have a different story to tell and having a community and social trades place is essential to building a strong community. A place for strangers to exchange their unique banter and share their stories and remarks. It exposed the hearts in this massive city and how little beauty, in the midst of darkness, can go a long way.
If you can, take the time to look at the Moira charity http://www.themoirafund.org.uk/ and if you can donate please do. It’s the very least we can do.
And if you can, head down to the Merchant Square and share a some of your story and chat.
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