Scottish Borders Archives - Page 2 of 3

Gina Williams

April 26, 2014by Fuze Admin

Gina Williams, Celebrant

Gina’s career in local government involves working closely with others and building great working relationships. An outgoing, warm and friendly person, Gina is quick to build a rapport and enjoys getting to know her clients. Confident and reliable, you will be in good hands when it comes to preparing for your ceremony. Gina loves hearing your stories and life experiences and, with her talent and flair for writing, she will handcraft a unique, memorable and highly personal ceremony with you.

The beauty of a non-religious wedding ceremony is that it can be anything you want, anywhere you want it. Gina will ensure your ceremony is joyous, meaningful and truly reflective of you as a couple. Family, friends and even pets can be involved in the ceremony. Gina has an adventurous spirit and loves a challenge. She has participated in a number of charity fitness events such as Tough Mudder, the Moon Walk and trekking to Machu Picchu. She has a passion for the outdoors, riding horses and hill walking and would be delighted to accommodate your wishes, no matter where you dream of getting married!

Including appropriate rituals, such as handfasting, poetry and readings can give your ceremony meaning, romanticism and humour. Gina can help you select appropriate elements for inclusion, that are the perfect match for you as a couple. A naturally organised person, who thrives on keeping busy, Gina will guide you through the process and support you on your special day.

For Gina, becoming a celebrant has been a rewarding and enjoyable experience. She considers it both an honour and a pleasure to be invited to participate in your ceremony and aims to ensure your event is a momentous and heartfelt occasion.

Gina is based in East Lothian and covers Edinburgh & Lothian & Scottish Borders

You can contact Gina on ginawilliams@fuzeceremonies.co.uk or you can see more of Gina on Facebook and Instagram

Allan Kidd

April 25, 2014by Fuze Admin

Allan Kidd, Celebrant

‘It’s always a pleasure and a privilege to help any family whether it’s to conduct their marriage or arrange and support them through a funeral ceremony.’

Having worked as a funeral celebrant for some time, it was a natural succession to go forward and marry people too, initially inspired by Anne Widdop the founder of Fuze when she conducted two funerals within the family Allan decided to use his public speaking skills and interest in helping people when they are at their most vulnerable.

After a career within the social care industry for 20 years Allan decided to change his focus and now works within a large company within the brewing industry and manages some of their contact centre services. Allan also loves to meet and develop relationships with the people he is working with as he believes that’s when you get the best out of them.

Allan has been married to his wife Vicky for over 12 years and has a step son and twin girls, when he is not working he loves to spend time on family days out and spending time making memories.

Always open to new ideas and with a passion for inclusion and diversity Allan, whilst always able to give advice, will also incorporate all your ideas for you to have a very unique and memorable time.

Allan is based in West Lothian and covers Ayrshire, Edinburgh & Lothian, Glasgow City & East /West Dunbartonshire, North & South Lanarkshire, Perthshire, Fife & Angus, Scottish Borders and Stirlingshire.

You can contact Allan on allankidd@fuzeceremonies.co.uk or you can see more of Allan on Facebook and Instagram

Alex Paton

April 20, 2014by Fuze Admin

Alex Paton, Celebrant

Alex is available to conduct Weddings, Civil Partnerships, Vow Renewals, Baby Naming & Funeral Ceremonies.

Alex is based in Glasgow and covers Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Edinburgh & Lothian, East Renfrewshire & Renfrewshire, Glasgow City & East /West Dunbartonshire, North & South Lanarkshire, Perthshire, Fife & Angus, Scottish Borders & Stirlingshire.

Alex is the people’s person; the person you want to be by your side, whether it would be in sadness for support; or in happiness for laughter. Therefore, it was a natural career step in becoming a celebrant with Fuze ceremonies.

Alex says being a humanist celebrant will continue to allow him to meet amazing people, hear amazing stories of their life and help people make or relive memories. Alex believes making people happy is the greatest gift you can give someone.

No ceremony should be the same. It is that person’s special day and with the ability to listen to every special detail in the person’s life, Alex will create that memorable day.

Much of his career has been bringing memories of happiness, joy, fun and laughter to people. From organising major music events to DJing in all over the world. A known DJ in the Northern Soul, Indie, Punk, SKA music and the Scooter Scene.

His personality and appearance are one you will love from start. A modern look that everyone will talk about. In his spare time he is a big fitness fanatic, from core fitness to walking and running.

He lives with his wife and his dog Elvis and shares every activity in his life with them. He is also a big supporter of Cancer Research UK and other charities, which he has helped to raise much needed money over the years.

You can contact Alex on alexpaton@fuzeceremonies.co.uk or you can see more of Alex on Facebook & Instagram

Janice Hendry

April 8, 2014by Fuze Admin

Janice Hendry, Celebrant

Janice has worked with people throughout her career and is currently a Chief Executive in a Charity for children and young people. In the early days of her career, she studied business administration and business management which has been the backbone of her success in her employment.

When she got married and started her family, Janice realised her dreams and aspirations were to help people, work in the community. raise funds and generally be a part of community life. She secured a post as a Youth Development Officer with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme working with under-privileged young people to help them achieve their Bronze Award. This followed by being a Coordinator of a Youth Information Project providing young people with information and advice on a range of life topics and this was before the days of the internet therefore all footwork and real research!

Young people and families have always been at the centre of her working and personal life. To help people realise their potential by mentoring and encouragement is at the heart of everything she believes in. A brilliant networker and public speaker, she has the confidence to listen, speak and deliver a presentation that is captivating and memorable.

Janice took an interest in Humanism after attending humanist events and feels that personal and moving tributes should rightly tell a life story, in all types of ceremony. Janice will create a meaningful personal account of your lives, your journeys and your future aspirations told in an unforgettable way.

Janice is able to conduct Weddings, Civil Partnerships, Vow Renewals, Baby Naming & Funeral Ceremonies.

Janice is based in Ayrshire and covers Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Edinburgh & Lothian, East Renfrewshire & Renfrewshire, Glasgow City & East /West Dunbartonshire, North & South Lanarkshire, Scottish Borders and Stirlingshire

You can contact Janice on janicehendry@fuzeceremonies.co.uk or you can see more of Janice on Facebook , Instagram and Tik Tok

Simon Houston

April 8, 2014by Fuze Admin

Simon Houston, Celebrant

Simon is available to conduct Weddings, Civil Partnerships, Vow Renewals, Baby Naming & Funeral Ceremonies.

Simon lives in Glasgow, has been married 25 years and has three wonderful children and a gorgeous Pug called Rita. He is a writer, public speaker, part-time stand-up comedian and co-host of the Let Me Be Frank Podcast, who is delighted to combine his many life skills to become a Humanist Celebrant. His career as a journalist has seen him work as a news correspondent and features writer all over the world. He got himself into the occasional hair-raising scrape while working as a war reporter in the Balkans and Middle East - and if you have a spare three hours, he'll happily tell you all about it!

A natural-born storyteller, he brings a wealth of experience to his new role with Fuze Ceremonies. Simon is a people person and a listener. He loves interviewing real people and hearing all about their own unique and interesting journeys - before bringing those stories to life, capturing the serious, the fascinating and the fun. He has become a skilled obituary writer who prides himself on his compassion, empathy and attention to detail.

Recently, he turned his hand to stand-up comedy and has performed in clubs around Scotland while also making his debut at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe.

Having attended a number of Humanist weddings and funerals in recent years, he found himself magnetically drawn to the role of a Celebrant and looks forward to implementing his writing and speaking skills to deliver memorable ceremonies.

You can contact Simon on simonhouston@fuzeceremonies.co.uk or you can see more of Simon on Facebook , Instagram and Tik Tok

Sam Conroy

April 8, 2014by Fuze Admin

Sam Conroy, Celebrant

“My passion is to help others create little pieces of happiness too, both in celebrating love and celebrating life.”

What's the secret to happiness? You can find it in nature, in family, in shared history, and maybe, just maybe, you can find it here. J.M Barrie - creator of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and a thousand magical memories, said it best: 'Not in doing what you like, but in liking what you do, is the secret to happiness'

Sam's passion is to help others create little pieces of happiness too, both in celebrating love and celebrating life.

Sam is a humanist celebrant with a romantic soul, a storyteller’s spark, and a deep love for words. Sam will write and deliver ceremonies that are as unique as the people they celebrate, bespoke, magical, full of heart and authentically you. Whether it’s a wedding, vow renewal or celebration, Sam brings together laughter and love, tradition, mischief, poetry (if you want it!) and personality, lots of personality! Because your story deserves more than a script, it deserves to be felt, remembered, and joyfully told.

Sam will get to know you as a couple, your quirks, your journey, your little inside jokes and shared dreams. She will support you every step of the way, bringing fun and full-hearted energy, while keeping things relaxed yet perfectly on time. She'll calm nerves with just the right mix of humour and wise words, and she’ll get ridiculously excited with you as the big day approaches. And when it does finally arrive, Sam will be there with a steady hand, a warm smile, a personality packed ceremony, and the privilege of marrying you in a way that feels truly, wonderfully, magically you.

So while Sam doesn’t live in Neverland, rather the heart of beautiful Scotland, Mr Barrie was right. Sam don't just like what she does, she loves it and cannot wait to connect with you to plan a ceremony, a beautifully light hearted and bespoke personal ceremony, that you will treasure and remember for an entire lifetime, for all the right reasons.

Sam is based in Cumbernauld and covers Argyll & Bute, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, East Renfrewshire & Renfrewshire, Edinburgh & Lothian, Glasgow City & East /West Dunbartonshire, Inverness-shire, North & South Lanarkshire, Perthshire, Fife & Angus, Scottish Borders and Stirlingshire

You can contact Sam on samanthaconroy@fuzeceremonies.co.uk or you can see more of Sam on Facebook , Instagram and Tik Tok

Julie-Anne Kinnear

April 8, 2014by Fuze Admin

Julie-Anne Kinnear

Julie-Anne is available to conduct Weddings, Civil Partnerships, Vow Renewals & Funeral Ceremonies.

Whether a love-story or life-story, Julie-Anne will listen to you and work with you to create your unique ceremony. As a Humanist Celebrant she will guide and support you when exploring specifics such as personalised vows, how you want your love-story or the life-story of a loved one to be shared, the music, poetry or readings you want to include, how you want to involve others (people or pets!) in the ceremony, inclusion of symbolic gestures and any other quirks or details to make your ceremony personal and meaningful.

Reflecting the values of Humanism, Julie-Anne embraces life wholeheartedly, believing this helps us to mark and celebrate the important stages from birth to death with vim, vigour and vitality. Whilst her ceremonies are appropriately dignified and respectful of the nature of the circumstances, they are never dull or dark – they have energy, light, emotion and where appropriate incorporate laughter and joy.

Julie-Anne moved from Belfast to Scotland aged 20. She has met lots of diverse and interesting people on her journey, all of whom have enriched her life one way or another. This quote from Dolly Parton sums up her outlook on life - “Dream more, learn more, care more and be more”.

Julie-Anne is based in Angus and covers Aberdeenshire & Moray, Argyll & Bute, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, East Renfrewshire & Renfrewshire, Edinburgh & Lothian, Glasgow City & East /West Dunbartonshire, Glencoe, Inverness-shire, Isle of Skye, North & South Lanarkshire, Outer Hebrides, Perthshire, Fife & Angus, Scottish Borders, Stirlingshire and Western Highlands.

You can contact Julie-Anne on julie-annekinnear@fuzeceremonies.co.uk or you can see more of Julie-Anne on Facebook and Instagram

Alan Deeney

April 8, 2014by Fuze Admin

Alan Deeney

Alan is available to conduct Wedding, Civil Partnership, Vow Renewal, Baby Naming & Funeral Ceremonies.

Alan has been a community mental health nurse for 15 years and first discovered his interest in humanist ceremonies while working as a pro-am photographer. After witnessing the joy and individuality of small weddings and baby namings, he became passionate about helping couples and families create days that truly reflect who they are. This inspiration led him to complete the SQA Celebrant & Public Speaking Diploma.

Always drawn to people’s unique styles, Alan has a particular appreciation for fashion, especially when Dr. Martens are involved. His love for DMs is well known, and he proudly owns a pair for every occasion.

With extensive experience in end-of-life care, Alan is known for his compassion, warmth, and ability to bring gentle cheerfulness where appropriate. He believes every ceremony, whether joyful or heartfelt, should be shaped around the wishes and personalities of those it honours.

Outside his celebrant work, Alan embraces creativity in the community. Every December, he runs wreath-making workshops, encouraging people to craft their own decorations and reminding them that we can make our own Christmas—unique, personal, and full of heart.

Alan has been married to his wife, Lorna, for 14 years, and is a proud stepfather to a grown-up stepson and stepdaughter who supported him throughout his celebrant journey. Family time is incredibly important to him, especially moments spent with the light of his life, his 8-year-old grandson. His furry, feisty companion, Herbie the Cavapoo, is also never far from his side.

He spends much of his downtime at his second home, his beloved caravan in central Scotland, which acts as both his weekend retreat and his base when travelling across the country to conduct marriages.

Alan is based in Inverclyde and covers Argyll & Bute, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, East Renfrewshire & Renfrewshire, Edinburgh & Lothian, Glasgow City & East /West Dunbartonshire, Glencoe, Isle of Skye, North & South Lanarkshire, Outer Hebrides, Perthshire, Fife & Angus, Scottish Borders, Stirlingshire and Western HighlandsYou can contact Alan on alandeeney@fuzeceremonies.co.uk and you can see more of Alan on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube

Gayle Duncan Jacobsen

April 18, 2010by Fuze Admin

Gayle Duncan Jacobsen

Gayle is available to conduct Weddings, Civil Partnerships, Vow Renewals & Funeral Ceremonies.

Gayle was inspired to become a celebrant having attended Humanist weddings and funerals of family and friends. Currently specialising in funerals, affirmations and vow renewals, Gayle brings her unique touch to celebrations with a passion for creating personalised and heartfelt ceremonies.

Gayle's approach is deeply rooted in her belief that every individual deserves a ceremony that reflects their unique journey and values. Her warm and engaging presence ensures that each event is crafted with care, attention to detail, and a touch of creativity. Whether you're seeking a traditional ceremony or something more unconventional, Gayle works closely with you to bring your vision to life. She excels in creating ceremonies that are authentic and full of emotion. Her clients praise her for her ability to listen intently, her empathy, and her knack for making everyone feel included and valued. For a ceremony that is as unique as you are, trust Gayle to make your special day truly unforgettable.

Gayle has a management background in Banking, Finance and more recently within the NHS. The skills that she has built up over the years have made her an excellent people person and she has a passion for finding out about people, storytelling and talking which makes being a Celebrant an excellent vocation for her.

Gayle is based in East Lothian and covers Edinburgh & Lothian and the Scottish Borders.

You can contact Gayle on gayleduncanjacobsen@fuzeceremonies.co.uk or you can see more of Gayle on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok

Zoë Bell-Arnot

April 18, 2010by Fuze Admin

Zoë Bell-Arnot

Zoë is available to conduct Weddings, Civil Partnerships, Vow Renewals, Baby Naming and Funeral Ceremonies

Zoë started her business when she was 18 years old. After competing from an early age and being lucky enough to realise her ambition as a dancer she wanted to pass on her knowledge to others. With a passion for dance and teaching, she began her first dance school with 14 students. Over 27 years her talented students and her drive for them to be the best that they could be amassed to around 460 students and 3 schools within Glasgow. Annual performances were held in venues across Glasgow, including the Clyde Auditorium and the Theatre Royal. With her drive and love of dance, she earned 14 diplomas in her dance career with distinctions which led her to become an adjudicator and lecturer.

In the latter part of her career Zoë wanted her local community to gain from movement and dance and set up her own studio. Over a period of 5 years, she held weekly classes for those who were living with dementia, receiving treatment post/pre-surgery, and for people who were living with chronic pain to help aid their recovery or simply to be able to meet with others and share their experiences which in turn helped with their overall wellbeing. Another great opportunity arose 2 years ago to create specialised dance classes for East Dunbartonshire Carers Link, a funded initiative that allows carers to have a little respite which operated a weekly basis.

After experiencing the loss of loved ones and friends Zoë decided to begin her journey to qualify as a celebrant as she believed that the most important aspect of the service is the people involved and their story. Whether this was to celebrate their life story, a new life, or a joining of two lives together.

In September 2023 Zoë joined a fantastic local whisky distillery as a tour ambassador to enable her to become comfortable in a speaking role. She meets so many people from different walks of life, ages, and nationalities and now relays stories and historical facts on a weekly basis. This new love came as a surprise, who knew that the whisky industry was so complex and enthralling?

Zoë s other loves are her husband, 2 teenage children and her bearded collie Clyde. She loves to travel to see and experience different places and cultures that the world has to offer with her family when she can, and her hobbies are beekeeping, swimming, and reading.

Zoë loves to hear stories of other people's lives and wishes to capture the essence of this and reiterate it to their loved ones and friends. She feels extremely lucky to be in a position to be able to do this and also very privileged to be part of other people’s special days.

Zoë is based in Glasgow and covers Argyll & Bute, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, East Renfrewshire & Renfrewshire, Edinburgh & Lothian, Glasgow City & East /West Dunbartonshire, Scottish Borders, and Stirlingshire.

You can contact Zoë on zoebellarnot@fuzeceremonies.co.uk

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