February 2006
Sandra's "One of Our Ain" show raised over £1600 for MAF
when Sandra performed the play for 3 evenings in February at ORAN MOR and received a 5 star review from thr Glasgow Evening Times.
Clarke International donated £10,000 to MAF through local Clarke UK.
Nominated by Sheena Morrow (HR Manager) after seeing Sandra at Oran Mor
June 2006
One of Our Ain
SANDRA’S STORY performed at
The
Ian Bannen Theatre, Coatbridge College.
August 2006
SANDRA’S STORY performed at the
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE.
EXCELLENT REVIEWS AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE FOR SANDRA
“Wonderfully Performed………” “A beautiful depiction of human resilience” “Such evocative style….”
“One of Our Ain” is a harrowing tale of paedophilia and its impact on two young girls- a victim, and the perpetrator’s daughter. One never survived to tell her story, whilst the other has spent her years coming to terms with her daddy’s actions.
Wonderfully performed by Sandra Brown, this production focuses on the real life disappearance of Moira Anderson and the emotional turmoil felt by the daughter of her never convicted attacker.
Endearing, but tragic, Brown’s performance perfectly captures the indefatigability of Glaswegian spirit, deploying humour as a defence against inner turmoil.
Dramatically developed, this is a heartbreaking insight into one person’s struggle against the devils of her past. A beautiful depiction of human resilience.
12th Aug 2006 * * * * “Three Weeks”
The story told by Sandra Brown in this one-woman show is, unfortunately, entirely true. As she welcomes the audience into an attic full of old photographs, she begins with a brief history of her nuclear family: parents married soon after the Second World War, father employed as a bus driver, stoical mother turning a blind eye to his affairs and “funny” behaviour.
In the 1950’s, Brown reminds us, the words “paedophile ring” were unheard of.
When an 11 year old Coatbridge girl disappeared after boarding a bus one winter night, she was never heard of again. No one was ever charged with her murder, and her body was never found.
The former head teacher’s warm, chummy manner contrasts sharply with the incredibly grim details of the story she pieced together over several decades. It’s testament to her extraordinary strength of character that she can not only talk about her experiences, but that she does so in such evocative style.
15th Aug 2006 * * * “The Herald”
July 2006
The Right Hon. John Reid MP visited the centre to meet staff and several clients as well as a cousin of Moira Anderson, Mrs Jeannette Fryer and her husband George. Mrs Fryer also participated in the well received STV documentary about Moira's case in October 2006, in the 'UNSOLVED' series about Scotland's most worrying "cold cases."
November 2006
Frozen , a play by Bryony Laverey, starred John Kazek, Joanna Tope and Gerda Stevenson in the part of the mother who never gives up on her missing ten year old Rhona, and eventually confronts the man who abducted her daughter, in prison.
MAF considered that this play, billed as ‘one no mother will want to miss, and one which audiences will never forget’, was essential drama to raise awareness of the whole topic, and a story which strongly echoes the case of Moira Anderson.
The charity assisted Rapture Theatre, a small theatre company who ‘always successfully punch above their weight’ with funding to ensure the play covered a number of intimate venues where after-show discussion could take place with the actors, directors and MAF representatives. Several other survivor organisations supported it as well by coming along at different venues on the tour, eg, Breaking the Silence in Kilmarnock and KASP – Kingdom Abuse Survivors Project in Kirkcaldy, Fife. The play picked up terrific reviews for the top notch cast and director Michael Emans.
The show had a most successful run at the following venues
East Kilbride Arts Centre, Cumbernauld Theatre, North Edinburgh Arts Centre, Eastfield Community Centre Rutherglen, Greenock Arts Guild, The Old Well Theatre, Moffat, Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, Ryan Centre, Stranraer, Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock, Paisley Arts Centre, The Brunton, Musselburgh, Airdrie Arts Centre, Carlops Village Hall, Harbour Arts Centre Irvine, The Tolbooth, Stirling, The Byre, St. Andrews, Tullynessie & Forbes Village Hall, The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, Warehouse Theatre Lossiemouth, and finished with 5 nights at the Citizens’ Theatre in Glasgow.
For more information about Rapture Theatre please check out : www.rapturetheatre.co.uk
December 2006
Coatbridge & Airdrie Rotary Club President Keith Sharp presented a £500 cheque to Sandra, and congratulated her on the award of OBE for services to child protection in Scotland. Sandra was given this at an investiture in Buckingham Palace by Prince Charles in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. As Charity founder, she is always willing to give presentations on the work of MAF and Moira's story for similar organisations throughout Scotland.If your group eg, Writers, or organisation, eg, Church, or club wishes Sandra as a speaker, please contact her on the charity's email address.
