A Silent Prayer for Peace the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843

11 March 2016 £1.90 the discover the contemporaryFriend quaker way

A silent prayer for peace the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843

Contents VOL 174 NO 11

3 Thought for the Week: 12 ‘Fierce Feathers’, ambulance trains A silent prayer for peace and surrealism Jane Taylor Simon Colbeck 4-5 News 13 Poem: Water of life 6 Moving beyond difference Bob Morley Gretchen Castle 14 God is reality 7 Pisac and equality Abigail Maxwell Daniel Hewitt 15 Austerity 8 Housing and inequality Don Atkinson Fred Ashmore 16 q-eye: a look at the Quaker world 9 Letters 17 Friends & Meetings 10-11 Living out our faith: Passing the problem by Ian Beeson

…Slavery as an evil shared many of the qualities of the present housing situation – it benefited the wealthy, created an underclass and denied them human rights.… Quaker faith & practice 23.23

Cover image: Graveyard at Hitchin Meeting, Hertfordshire, which will be included in their new commemorative garden. Photo courtesy Hitchin Meeting. See story page 4.

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2 the Friend, 11 March 2016 Thought for the Week

A silent prayer for peace

he invitation was issued by Mo: to join in a silent prayer for peace, in Lancaster market square, on the museum steps, from eleven o’clock to noon on Saturday T20 February. Her invitation bore the words: We stand in solidarity with all those worldwide living in fear and fleeing from violence.

So, here we are. An hour is a long time to stand silent in a public place. Rather than watch the passersby, to see their reactions to us, I bow my head in a traditional posture of prayer. What do I think of? I find I am thinking of myself, and juxtaposing my own situation with that of all those trudging across Europe. The media repeatedly and lightly use the word ‘unbelievable’; but though we’d rather not, we do have to believe it: we see it on our television screens. But still I find it unimaginable. Unimaginable. What must it be like for them? It is wet and cold. I know that in less than an hour I will be dry and warm. What of them? How do they get any shelter or warmth? I’m so cold – perhaps I’ll catch a chill. But I have all the facilities available to get better. What do they do if they get ill or need any kind of medical help? Delicious, tantalising smells waft around us from the market stalls in the square. When this hour is over I could get something hot and tasty for myself. But what of them? How do they get food and fluids? I could use the loo. What do they do for simple, basic things like that? I resist the urge to feel guilty for my wonderfully secure life; but they know no security. They have probably experienced terrible violence and fear for real, and have quite likely left their homes in ruins. If I had to flee, what would I take with me? They, probably, have virtually nothing, having left behind their lives and their possessions, their families, friends and work roles in the hope… Whatever they hoped for, it can’t have prepared them for this. My mind shifts to those who are responsible for the conflict and violence. I try to hold them in the Light – and struggle to do so. Then it occurs to me that perhaps they believe deeply that what they are doing, in making war, is right – that it is their duty by their faith to do so. And I remember that there is ‘that of God’ in everyone. I find myself thinking that in this context that of God may be just a spark of humanity – the possibility that they will have some compassion for the human tragedies resulting from their decisions. I reach out yearningly with my soul to that spark of goodness in them, trying to make that connection in the Spirit. It’s wet and cold. But I know that in less than an hour I will be able to be dry, and warm. But what of them – those trudging away from violence across Europe…

Jane Taylor Lancashire Central & North Area Meeting

the Friend, 11 March 2016 3 News

Conscientious objectors to be honoured in Hitchin A new peace garden in the grounds of Hitchin symbolising the loneliness of conscientious objectors, Meeting House will honour conscientious objectors, many of whom were subjected to accusations of among others. cowardice and even imprisoned for their beliefs,’ said Friends have been planning the garden for more Miranda Norton, a Hitchin Friend involved with the than a year. They intend to create a path around the peace garden project. Meeting house grounds, that joins a number of ‘points Miranda explained that the garden is expected to of interest’. The first of these will be a seat bearing an develop organically as each point of interest is planned appropriate inscription. Adjacent to the bench will and installed. It has been designed by Hitchin Friends, be a free-standing information plaque that explains although local representatives of other faith groups conscientious objection in the first world war. have also been invited to get involved. ‘Other points of interest will have benches to invite ‘The intention is that other faiths may contribute a the visitor to sit in stillness and to contemplate peace. point of interest, or a quotation about peace, if they However, this point of interest will be a single seat, wish to be involved in the project,’ she said.

Friends debate money in Bangor

Sue Holden of Wensleydale Meeting and Tony Weekes of South Belfast Meeting spoke at a public meeting at Bangor University in Wales on Thursday 3 March. Sue and Tony spoke on the theme Is Money at the root of today’s big problems? The fifty-strong audience included students, local people and Friends from North Wales Area Meeting. Sue’s presentation explained the problems with the present monetary system and some of the possible solutions. Tony spoke about the need for a Basic (or Hywel Williams, Sue Holden and Ryan Heaton Citizen’s) Income, something he says would be easier if monetary reforms were made. Weekes Photo: Tony Efa Wulle, of Colwyn Bay Meeting, organised the event, which was chaired by Ryan Heaton, Hywel Williams, the local Plaid Cymru member of vice president of the University Debating Society. parliament, made a brief contribution at the end. Quaker Service names new Let’s go fly a kite operations manager The annual ‘Fly Kites Not Drones’ weekend will take place between 19 and 21 David Morton will join March to coincide with the Afghan New Belfast-based Quaker Service as Year. operations manager in March. Friends are encouraged to take part This is a new senior management to show their opposition to the use of post. David will manage, maintain armed drones. The United Kingdom has and develop resources and business ten armed ‘Reaper’ drones. Royal Air processes. His responsibilities Force pilots have ‘flown’ armed drones in will include finance, IT and Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq and Syria. communications. He will deputise Fly Kites Not Drones was inspired by for the director when required. The the international initiative run by Afghan post has been funded by the Tudor Peace Volunteers. It is a joint effort from Trust. Morton. Photo courtesy of David Voices for Creative Non-Violence UK, the David is a member of Bessbrook Meeting, and served as clerk of Drone Campaign Network, Pax Christi Lurgan Monthly Meeting in 2014 and 2015. He is an experienced UK and Quaker Peace & Social Witness project manager. (QPSW).

4 the Friend, 11 March 2016 reported by Tara Craig [email protected]

Lunchbreak flashmob Photo: Robin Bowles. Photo: Robin Huddersfield Friends attending a recent was taking place. They were joined by members of Northern Friends Peace Board (NFPB) meeting spent Carlton Hill Meeting. their lunchbreak taking part in a flashmob action. ‘We weren’t leafleting, so the public reaction as far as Friends held a brief silent peace witness outside I could tell was mainly curiosity – there was no vocal Nottingham Meeting House, where the NFPB event opposition!’ Huddersfield Friend Robin Bowles said. American Friends move to end mass incarceration The American Friends working to end the mass new initiatives through joint Service Committee (AFSC) has incarceration of prisoners in the campaigns. announced the launch of a new United States. It aims to contribute According to QNEMI, in the last initiative, the Quaker Network to nationwide efforts by facilitating four decades, the rate of incarcera- to End Mass Incarceration an exchange of resources between tion in the United States has more (QNEMI). those involved, by helping them than quadrupled. It now imprisons The organisation is open to all find other activists, by facilitating more people than any other individuals and organisations discussions and by supporting country in the world. Cuba comes to Cambridge Friends House garden to open in April Decorative paving The Women’s World Day of Prayer on stones charting 4 March was marked in a decidedly Cuban Quaker history are way at Jesus Lane Meeting in Cambridge. presently being The service was written by the Cuban installed in the World Day of Prayer (WDP) national garden at Friends committee and others in Cuba, Jane House. Jane Dawson, Wheatley of Jesus Lane told the Friend. This advocacy and public year’s theme was Receive children. Receive me. relations team leader Participants embraced Cuba’s culture in Photo: Trish Carn. for Britain Yearly Work in progress at Friends House. a number of ways, from eating Cuban-style Meet-ing, said that biscuits to carrying symbols representing the garden is expected to be completed ‘in early April’. the lives of Cuban women and children. They also made flowers. Jane explained: ‘Cuba’s national flower is a butterfly Opposition to the Housing Bill jasmine. It is a symbol of resistance and Friends will be participating in a national demonstration struggle for freedom. Apparently women against the Housing and Planning Bill in London on Sunday 13 used to hide messages in the petals for the March. troops fighting the Spanish colonialists.’ According to the organisers – ‘Kill the Housing Bill’ – the Bill Participants wrote their name on a flower. will allow the government to sell off existing council homes to A basketful of them was dedicated during the highest bidder, remove secure tenancies and impose ‘pay to the service. Afterwards each participant took stay’ market-linked rent rises for council and housing association home a flower and promised to pray for the tenants. person named on it. Jane added: ‘The music Quakers met recently at Friends House for a lively and was beautiful, with several hymns and songs successful conference that considered the Bill and the present of South American origin.’ housing crisis (see page 8).

the Friend, 11 March 2016 5 Quakers in the world

Moving beyond difference

Gretchen Castle reflects on the recent FWCC World Plenary in Peru

t the World Plenary Meeting I had the distinct listening deeply and tenderly to each other and to feeling that we, as Friends, are evolving. God we reached a place where we can hear and sense Someone described our time together in where the words come from even when we may not APisac, Peru, as ‘soft’, as an experience of Friends being understand the tongue they are spoken in.’ very open to one another, marked as much by the absence of consternation as by an active longing to Coming from thirty-seven different countries and simply experience each other. A culture of curiosity seventy-seven Yearly Meetings, plus ten Monthly superseded our human tendency to judge others, and Meetings and worship groups who are not located worship from the four Friends World Committee for within a Yearly Meeting, we spoke many languages. Consultation (FWCC) Sections, each colourful and About a third were native Spanish speakers, allowing varied, drew us into the circle of family, of love and of us to all wear headsets. Business Meeting was clerked God’s invitation. in Spanish and minutes were read back in English. We sang in Kiswahili, Aymaran, Spanish and English… The epistle reads: ‘We are different. We came and maybe more! together as a diverse collection of Friends. We were challenged by our differences. This challenge is not Most importantly, the epistle expresses our joy: ‘We always comfortable but it is one we welcome.’ are Friends. In making the choice to come together and be willing to share deeply, pray boldly, and Was it the presence of ninety Young Adult Friends listen lovingly together, we seek to move beyond our (under age thirty-five) who have experience of differences, see beyond our labels and find ways to diversity and are a generation who teach the world connect with each other. The work of FWCC depends not to fear difference? Did it have to do with being on us all. In order to continue it, we encourage in the Peruvian Sacred Valley, simple and beautiful? Friends, Meetings/Churches and Yearly Meetings to Are we living in a world which now creates virtual contribute financially to and participate in building communities of faith, bringing the family of Friends connections between Friends.’ closer as we build relationships across the world? Could it be that God is ‘softening’ our hearts, even Holding hands in a circle, we shared a piece of as we find a collective, urgent energy to rail against ribbon to remind us of how we are connected. We sang injustice and indifference? ‘We are Friends forever. We are Friends forever, and our work on Earth has just begun. Through our pain The epistle goes on to say: ‘We are one. We are one and pleasure we will stand together. We are Friends in the spirit of God which does not wash away or hide forever. We are one.’ our differences, but allows us to celebrate them and enables us to move beyond the spiritual boundaries Let it be so. With loving greetings from FWCC. that may separate us. We are able to do this by coming together in worship where, while its form may be Gretchen is the general secretary of Friends World unfamiliar, God was present throughout. Through Committee for Consultation.

6 the Friend, 11 March 2016 Quakers in the world

Pisac and equality

Daniel Hewitt writes about what attending the recent FWCC World Plenary in Pisac meant to him and reflects on the testimony to equality

e met together for nine days (19-27 January us were very apparent. To some the hotel living 2016) in a beautiful valley 10,000 feet up arrangements and food were extremely simple while to in Pisac, Peru. The Inca culture, ancient others they were luxurious. Many local Friends found Wterraces and the remains of cities from the precolonial the conference fees to be a financial burden and for period that still dominate the area surrounded us. some it was prohibitive. Some Friends could not afford Friends of all types – programmed and unprogram- to pay £15 to take a full-day tour of the Sacred Valley med – came together. We worshipped together, in the middle of the conference. singing, reading and reflecting on the Bible and in For Friends, equality is so much more than a silence. Joy and singing dominated and overcame financial concept. Equality starts in the heart. Each the thin air. We shared our stories together in home person is equally valuable to us. The value of a groups, where we delved into our beliefs and shared person is inherent in the person, not in their financial our deepest thoughts and concerns. We met together state. In Pisac we were equal and made to feel equal, in consultation groups that considered: global whether from nearby Bolivia and Peru, elsewhere in sustainability; how to make our Meetings grow; South and North America, Europe, Africa or Asia development of the young; and the future path of the and the Pacific. We communicated together in several Friends World Committee for Consultation. We all languages (mainly Spanish and English), learned from learned from each other. each other and shared our Inner Lights. The value of The enthusiasm and joy of programmed worship the Inner Light is in no sense dependent on the size was contagious. We felt the deep commitment of of one’s bank account. In fact, we may wonder if the Friends whose belief and faith in Jesus is central to relationship is not reversed if we believe the biblical their existence and the main guide to their lives. saying that it is harder for a rich man to enter the Unprogrammed worship was appreciated as a chance Kingdom of God than for a camel to fit through the to listen to what God has to say to each of us and to eye of a needle. learn more about the will of God in our lives. The two Material inequality between nations, which was forms of Quakerism provided fruitful dialogue and most evident here, and within nations is a concern inspiration that strengthened both traditions. The life because it implies different opportunities for people and the works of George Fox was an inspiration to in their lives. Inequality of education, health care and all: the one side emphasizing the evangelical nature of access to employment is a continuing concern, even if George Fox and the other emphasizing his personal equality of spirit is ubiquitous. We have to ask whether spiritual journey as a guide to our own spirituality. We our economic system is fully nurturing the potential of found common ground, particularly in the Quaker our populations. testimonies of peace, equality, simplicity and truth that were often referred to and constantly considered. For me, the testimony to equality was very much Daniel is a member of New York Yearly Meeting in evidence. We lived together in equality for these (Scarsdale Friends Meeting) and attends Westminster nine days, although the economic differences between Meeting.

the Friend, 11 March 2016 7 Report Housing and inequality

Fred Ashmore reports on a recent housing conference at Friends House

deep concern for the future of social housing government deems these starter homes ‘affordable’ but in Britain was one of the main themes to to buy one in London requires an income of £77,000 emerge from a one-day conference organised a year, and a deposit of £99,000. People with that level Aby London Quakers that was held on 20 February of income will, in effect, get a £90,000 gift, while social at Friends House. The event, called ‘Housing and housing renters with an income of £40,000 will be Inequality – What canst Thou do?’, was open to all squeezed out as their rents rise to market levels. Friends in Britain Yearly Meeting and anyone else who The cost won’t be paid by the government, which wanted to join this discussion. Plenary sessions in the is introducing the measures, but by local councils. morning were followed by six parallel workshops in They will have to sell their larger houses to foot the afternoon. that bill, which Shelter calculates to be £1.2 billion a Paul Parker, recording clerk of Britain Yearly year, requiring 113,000 homes to be sold. Genuinely Meeting, introduced the morning session with affordable rented housing will gradually cease to be inspiring words from the Epistle of James, and read us available, especially in central London boroughs, the Minute 25: ‘Responding to Inequality and Injustice: which seem certain to lose over half of their stock and, Housing as a tested concern’ from Yearly Meeting 2015. in particular, the larger family homes. Bernadette O’Shea, managing director of Triathlon Paula Harvey, secretary of the Quaker Housing Homes, gave the overview presentation about the Trust, reminded us of how long Quakers have been state of housing in this country. She showed us how at work in the housing area. She outlined work that the housing market has developed from a balance the Quaker Housing Trust is doing to support and of types of tenure to one in which social housing is promote the work of Friends. The Trust has pioneered under assault, housing costs in London and the South many methods and tools that can help individuals and East devour more and more of people’s income and groups to show their witness in the present housing the government presses ahead with its manifesto crisis. None of this is show-off stuff, but it has the commitment to increase owner occupation to eighty- potential to make a real difference. three per cent. To a people committed to equality, the Afternoon workshops looked at some options that thrust of current developments is deeply disturbing, Quakers can support, or initiate, to help build more and Bernadette challenged each of us to seek the housing, such as cooperative housing and home Spirit-led view on these difficult questions and in our sharing. The workshop on ‘Lobbying and Activism’ personal behaviour and choices. developed specific recommendations on how Friends Bob Kerslake, former head of the Civil Service, can influence the Housing Bill during the next weeks. and a peer of the realm, analysed many of the most A full report on the conference will be available on challenging – dare one say obnoxious? – elements of the London Quakers website and further events are the current Housing and Planning Bill. His expertise being planned to take this work forward including, we on this subject gave us a unique view of what this hope, a session at Yearly Meeting. Bill will do. Worryingly, he concluded that social housing is being written out of the script. Two types of subsidies will be given to those who can afford to buy. Fred is a member of Kingston & Wandsworth Area The right to buy (at twenty per cent discount) will be Meeting. extended to housing association homes, and subsidised ‘Starter Homes’ for first-time buyers will largely replace Further information: www.londonquakers.org.uk/news/ social rented housing in new developments. The papers-and-report-housing-and-inequality-conference

8 the Friend, 11 March 2016 All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend Letters

Meeting for Worship In effect, he is saying it is OK to build our lives I am unable to get to Meeting very often but I around our whims, desires and wants, even if they are managed it one Sunday recently, needing and hoping destructive – and just how destructive! We are on a to absorb some of the healing silence, which is one of precipice of causing the collapse of the ecology of the the most beautiful things about Quaker worship. planet. I came away, however, feeling quite discomfited after Paul, however, expects we should be able to carry on the ministry, or rather the lack of it, which was a large doing as we want as long as there are some piecemeal part of that day’s experience. I suppose that with the ‘techno fixes’ (although the nature of the destruction is news as it is these days, and with constant reminders systemic and intrinsic), and as long as others deal with through the media of the direness of it all, it should be it (China, India and the US – as well as technologists). understandable that the thoughts of those taking part By contrast, the campaigning group Plane Stupid in Meeting for Worship would, inevitably, be on these bravely took personal responsibility. Their tactic was serious world events. to draw attention to the dire effects of our lifestyle But surely, Meeting for Worship should be just the through focusing on one particular aspect – aviation. very place where we lay aside all these worries and We all urgently need to take responsibility in all concerns, where we give them over and ‘let go and let we want and do in the light of the severity of this God’ and trust that eventually, even though the ‘mills crisis, and learn from those who actually live out our of God grind slowly’, they will, in time, give forth good testimony to simplicity. results. Andrew Sterling After all, why do we call it Meeting for Worship? For Ipswich Meeting, Suffolk the very reason that it is a sacred time set aside from the affairs and concerns of the world, in which we can The subject of expanding Heathrow Airport is in the open our hearts and minds in the silence and become hands of the democratic process. People have been aware of the presence of God/Spirit or whatever term writing to newspapers presenting arguments for and one wishes to use. against. There have been one or two local opinion Meeting for Worship is not a time for airing our surveys. All the local MPs are involved. own thoughts and views. Sitting down on a runway is not an argument. (This Meeting for Worship is not a soapbox for anyone should not be confused with direct action against who wants to promulgate something, worthy though it military manoeuvres, which are not initiated by a might be. democratic debate). Meeting for Worship cannot be called Meeting for Bernard R Bligh Worship unless we give over that time to worship! Kingston-upon-Thames Meeting, Surrey Rosalind Smith Bury St Edmunds Meeting, Suffolk A man that looks on glass Our Friend, in his book, speaks my mind. Having read the introduction to Derek Guyton’s book A Man that Looks on Glass – available online In essentials unity, – I see echoes of my own most recent essay: ‘The in non-essentials liberty, Challenges of Change’. The Society of Friends in Britain is being faced with its most difficult challenge in all things charity. yet. We need to decide if it is possible now to become again the Society of the Friends of Truth or to become an irrelevance and slip away into the sands of time. The Friend welcomes your views. Diana Sandy Beverley Meeting, East Yorkshire Do keep letters short (maximum 250 words). Plane Stupid Please include your full postal address, even Paul Honigmann doesn’t think people should protest when sending emails, and specify whether you wish for your postal or email address or Meeting if it inconveniences others (4 March); yet the social name to be used with your name. advances that have been made in this country alone, precisely because of protests that more than Letters are published at the editor’s discretion inconvenienced others (from, at least, the Peasants’ and may be edited. Revolt onwards), speak for themselves.

the Friend, 11 March 2016 9 Living out our faith Photo: Trish Photo: Trish Carn. Passing the problem by

In the first of a two-part series, Ian Beeson shares some reflections on Yearly Meeting and discernment

t Yearly Meeting in London on 1 to 4 May 2015 1. Does living out our faith require more of us? five plenary sessions were given over wholly or partly to a main theme ‘Living out our faith 2. How can we express the pain and passion we feel Ain the world’, framed in terms of what we could do to about a world beset by injustice without a sense of reduce inequality and injustice in society. About seven despair? to nine hours were devoted to consideration of the theme. Assuming an average attendance of 500 people 3. Have we been dealing with the symptoms and not in the Large Meeting House, we may have spent as the root causes of the social injustice we see all many as 4000 (person-) hours of discernment on this around us? matter. That’s a lot of discernment! How far did we get? What did we find out or commit ourselves to? 4. Do we share a spiritual understanding that Are we now better prepared for, or clearer about, living underpins and unifies our action in the world? If out our faith in the world, or about how to reduce so, what is it? inequality and injustice in our society? 5. How are we led to live out our faith in a world Discerning in advance where we see systemic injustice and increasing inequality? Agenda Committee’s notes in Documents in advance part 1 prepared the ground for the main theme. 6. Might we follow the example of Friends in 1917 Preparatory notes on agenda items 13 and 22 between (Quaker faith & practice 23.16) and endeavour to them posed six questions: set out a ‘true social order’ for our age?

10 the Friend, 11 March 2016 These questions were explicitly woven into the Some answers to the six questions in the Agenda business, either in the session introductions or at the Notes emerged in the minutes. With regard to question suggestion of the clerk. 1, minute 29 said: ‘We recognise the need to challenge the politics and economics of our disordered world and affirm that we could do so much more if together we Ministry and minutes were all faithful to our commitments.’ (though that does not give a very clear guide to action). In these five sessions about fifty individual contributions of ministry addressing the main theme On question 2, minute 36 advised that we can use the were made. Many more people (perhaps three times wisdom of our discipline to channel despair, passion and as many?) stood to offer ministry as were called. anger into transforming action for justice and equality. Ministry sprang from individual experience and searching, and was often heartfelt and impassioned. On question 3, roots and symptoms, minute 36 went People did not in general answer one another, so we no further than to confirm that we need to go deeper did not see shades of opinion forming, or positions to find the roots of our social ills, and on question 4, being refined, or perspectives converging, but rather whether we have a common spiritual understanding, an accumulation of separate points, engaging us and the same minute confirmed that we did indeed have stretching our horizons, but not moving us in any one, in the shape of worship, testing of concerns and particular direction. We could not tell what pertinent corporate discipline. or life-changing ministry might have been missed from those not called to speak. In a meeting of this Minute 36 started off by re-asking question 5, but size, dealing with a topic of such breadth, ministry then was short on practical recommendations, while will not run itself out, but has to be curtailed from on question 6, whether we might set out a ‘true social the table. order’ for our age, all the minutes were silent.

Five minutes were made that referred to our main theme of living out our faith in the world, three brief A meagre harvest and two more substantial. Minute 25 suggested a number of general ways in which we could respond to On reflection, does this not seem a meagre harvest? the housing crisis. Minute 36 was the main concluding We affirmed the value of our methods of worship and minute, bringing together the entire consideration of business, and the need to separate root causes of social the theme. It was strongly reflected in the Yearly ills from symptoms. Meeting Epistle issued subsequently. Minute 36 gave some helpful guidance on turning When minute 36 was approved in half an hour at the anger and despair into purposeful action, and exposed end of the fifth session, there was a feeling of relief, a the guilt some of us feel as house-owners. But we still marvelling that such an accomplishment was possible, didn’t know how to distinguish between root causes muted acclaim, and a general sense that here we had and symptoms, we didn’t get near defining a new ‘true another resounding minute 36 (after Canterbury) that social order’, and we did not take away with us, from deserved wide circulation. the main sessions at least, any policies or practical recommendations that could guide our action (with one exception in minute 25). Where did we get to? Looking to see where we had arrived after Yearly But how far did we achieve what we set out to achieve Meeting 2015, it seemed to me that we were essentially at the start of this long consideration? What, in fact, standing at the same threshold as before: asking what were we setting out to achieve? It cannot have been steps we could take to reduce inequality and injustice, only to describe what ‘living out our faith in the world’ and how we could determine and uproot the underlying means or to say how we can do it, since we already causes of inequality and injustice. know that, at least in general terms (through our corporate discipline, as was confirmed several times in these sessions). More precisely, we were trying to Ian is a member of Redland Meeting in Bristol. discern how, by living out our faith in the world, we He can be reached at [email protected] could reduce (systemic) injustice and (increasing) inequality in our society. This series will be continued in next week’s issue.

the Friend, 11 March 2016 11 Quaker history ‘Fierce Feathers’, ambulance trains and surrealism

Simon Colbeck writes about his research on the Penrose family

xhey Grange, near Watford, was the home raising funds for the Spanish Republican cause. He was of James Doyle Penrose, the artist of two a founder of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) familiar Quaker paintings: The Presence in and an influential trustee of The Tate Gallery, procuring Othe Midst and None Shall Make them Afraid (perhaps works that could not have been afforded without his better known as ‘Fierce Feathers’). His wife Elizabeth direct personal contacts with modern artists. Josephine was the daughter of a wealthy Quaker The work of his second wife Lee Miller, the banker, Alexander Peckover of Wisbech, who had been American model and war photographer, is currently a generous benefactor of Leighton Park School. being shown at The Imperial War Museum, while Kate The couple’s four sons went to Leighton Park as Winslet is set to play her on film. Picasso and other boarders and the three eldest – Alexander, Lionel and artists were frequent visitors to their farmhouse home Roland – were all conscientious objectors who served near Eastbourne, where their son Antony Penrose still with the Friends Ambulance Unit (FAU) in world lives and opens the house and its artistic treasures war one. Alexander and Lionel were stewards on FAU to the public. Roland was knighted in 1966 for his ambulance trains in France and Roland served in Italy in services to visual arts and died in 1984. the final months of the war. Roland had no strong connections with Quakers in The influence of Quaker values and wartime his adult life and in world war two he lent his creative experience showed in very different ways in Lionel and talents to the design and teaching of camouflage Roland’s lives. Lionel became a medical geneticist and for army and air force equipment. This involved an pioneered research on Down Syndrome in the 1930s. implausible commission as a captain in the Royal In the 1950s he was a founder and first president of Engineers, which was no more consistent with the Medical Association for the Prevention of War his libertarian artist lifestyle than with his family and wrote on war as a behavioural and psychological origins. In later life Roland wrote in tones of amused malady. As Galton Professor of Genetics at University detachment about the sober influences of his Quaker College London until his retirement in 1965, he largely parents and his father’s eldership in Watford Meeting. succeeded in discrediting the ideological strand of Perhaps the idea of Roland reacting against an austere ‘eugenics’ in his field of research. The inaccurate and morality is not the whole story. The Quaker emphasis pejorative term ‘mongolism’ was also superseded by on inner personal revelation as against adherence to Down Syndrome through his work. scripture, outward liturgy or credal authority, has always Lionel was an amateur artist throughout his life been, at least potentially, liberating. The surrealists and also pursued a fascination with puzzles and the explored a relationship between artistic expression and creation of impossible three-dimensional objects. The natural objects ‘as found’, an ‘opening’ that echoes the ‘Penrose triangle’ and the never-ending staircase (also Quaker understanding of the sacred as universal rather independently designed by M C Escher) are the best than consciously defined, either by artistic convention known examples. He died in 1972 and is buried with or religious authority. his parents at Jordans in Buckinghamshire. Roland pursued his father’s occupation, but as a Simon is a member of Watford Meeting. surrealist, and was a leading figure in introducing Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Joan Miró and other avant- He was one of the producers of Watford’s Quiet Heroes: garde artists to a British audience. He brought Picasso’s Resisting the Great War, which can be seen on Youtube. Guernica, the twentieth century’s most celebrated A DVD can be ordered from heroes@watfordquakers. anti-war painting, to be exhibited in Britain in 1939, org.uk or the Quaker Bookshop at Friends House.

12 the Friend, 11 March 2016 Poetry

Water of Life

The drop, from clouds above Oh, where is your origin? To whom do you belong? To fall with friends on Mallerstang high Begin again your sustaining journey. What will you encounter in Eden’s valley Will you ever reach the salt of Solway? Maybe the root of hungry trees Will claim you – as storage for an age But the sap of strength follows the strength of sap Eventually you will return. Maybe you carry food for the gills Of minnow, perch, roach or trout. Is your destiny now the reed bed Or for sustenance of the nesting bird? You may quickly pass through man Or become part of an organ, blood or cell For a short time. In exhaled breath or evaporation From the warmth of excited molecules You may return to the clouds To fall again, maybe Trent, Severn, Rhine or Danube And continue the ceaseless path. Or rest in apparent stillness on Arctic icecap For aeons. For you, the drop, belong to the earth And everything belongs to you. The unique sustainer of life on earth Held by Love – in motion.

Bob Morley Penrith Meeting

the Friend, 11 March 2016 13 Reflection

God is reality

Abigail Maxwell reflects on the idea of God

am a materialist. I do not believe in Spirit as some is the Inner Light, which has led me to say things in sort of miasma, or ether, or non-baryonic thing, ministry I had not consciously thought before. which in some way interacts with the physical Iworld in which I have my being. Why would I want The concept of substitutionary atonement, where to worship with Quakers, even call myself Christian? God cannot look upon our sin, yet provides Christ Because I believe in God. as the sacrifice to reunite us to God, unites better than most Christians can the wrath and love of God is reality. Human kind cannot bear very much God. We will all die, and much of life is suffering reality. Of course, we prefer illusion, false hope and as a malevolent God turns the screws. And we fit, false despair. We are subject to cognitive bias: we here, where we have evolved, supported by a society perceive patterns where there are none – then we seek of beings like us, whose complexity is too great for evidence that supports our false understanding. Yet, anyone to comprehend. We must heed God, who tells underneath this we have some shadowy perceptions the rich fool ‘This night your life will be demanded of that reality is not as we fear or desire it to be, but you’, yet gives us the good things we ask in faith. Other. That Other, the infinite truth, which I could never hold in my own mind yet know in part, is what God is story. God is that than which nothing greater I call God. can be imagined. God is our progress. God is the stories we tell each other about how the world, and I have two main ways of understanding other ourselves, could be better. people: wordless empathy, the product of fifty million years of primate evolution, and conscious God is relationship. I am a social animal, and my understanding, the word pictures which I assign to best analogy for being in the world and spiritual sense-impressions of others. It is tempting to call that experience is a relationship with something far greater stream of consciousness ‘me’, but I am so much more. than myself. We share those spiritual experiences: Subconscious and conscious dance together, and I seeing heaven in a wild flower, where everything know not what I do, perhaps seeing it afterwards. becomes intense and far more beautiful; or feeling at one with the universe. At Yearly Meeting I had an In the Quaker Meeting our animal closeness intense feeling of being loved and lovable, and of being without words lets us know each other in eternal created in the image of the best God I know: loving, things – our common humanity, which binds and creative, powerful and beautiful. divides us – who are so similar and yet different. Perhaps the subconscious inspires someone to share words deeper than the monkey-mind knows: God Abigail is a member of Wellingborough Meeting.

14 the Friend, 11 March 2016 Books

Austerity

Don Atkinson reviews a new book on the history of austerity

ark Blyth has written a clever, well-argued Mark Blyth, who is British, is a professor of book that we should all read. Austerity: The international political economy at Brown University History of a Dangerous Idea analyses the in Providence, Rhode Island. His examination of Meconomic theory that wages and prices should be those who cynically exploited their own deliberate reduced, as part of budget cuts, in order to return an misinterpretation of capitalism is exemplary. Perhaps economy to a successful competitive state. more relevant today, Mark Blyth shows that the more a society is globalised, the more austerity will not I heard you! No, I am not joking! Professor Blyth work and that it will not work at all if everyone tries to also thinks this a daft idea; yet we live under a regime apply it at the same time. He also, rather frighteningly, that believes this is the only way to extract ourselves demonstrates how, at its worst, austerity creates an from our present economic difficulties. Whilst in environment that encourages Hitlers! the USA, the UK and Europe, profligate government spending was given as the reason for introducing Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea is austerity. In fact, our adoption of the ‘dangerous idea’ stimulating and essential reading. Professor Blyth was because politicians panicked and turned a private considers his subject by means of a meticulous analysis banking crisis into a public sovereign debt crisis for of its intellectual bases. He traces a line from John which we are all, as taxpayers, apparently responsible. Locke, David Hume and Adam Smith, through the Austrian School, Joseph Schumpeter and Milton The bankers involved could not even assess Friedman, to views expressed by economists at Milan’s accurately the true cost of their greed, let alone its Bocconi University. Perhaps his most telling point is actual effect on the UK. It certainly threatened their showing how austerity nearly always leads, ultimately, existence. It also damaged not only this country’s to low growth, combined with greater inequalities of financial status. Europe, with one exception, hid wealth. Since these two comprise the opposite of what behind Greece, the only country that did fit the we seek, and exactly what most of us are concerned to official explanation. The failure of our politicians to redress, his arguments require study. understand the idea and the fact that our economic crisis was caused by the banks’ private greed are now Whether or not this book persuades you, you will all apparently irrelevant. So too, ironically, is the surely be enthralled by its quality. Professor Blyth has fact that the people now paying for it (us) had no created a thoughtful, prescient and clear development piece of the profits that banks made on their way to of the argument. Whether it is our intellectual the disaster. It is now our problem, we are told, and inadequacy, our inability to learn from history, our so we must pay for it! The power of the financial deference to a powerful financial establishment or establishment is again demonstrated. Not only have simply a poor sense of survival, I see nothing that the public to pay for this piece of private greed, the will lead us to behave any differently next time. And perpetrators have been let off virtually scot-free, make no mistake; there will be a ‘next time’. We are financially! So much for democracy and strong individually programmed for it. transparent government! Don is a member of Harpenden Meeting. The book demonstrates the nonsense our leaders continue to spin us. It also shows that they had no more idea of what was actually going on than the Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea by Mark greedy bank directors. The book also gives crystal Blyth, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 9780199389445 clear evidence that the banks were not ‘too big to fail’. (paperback). £10.99.

the Friend, 11 March 2016 15 a look at the Quaker world [email protected] Photo courtesy of Margaret Baker. A place of peace

A temporary labyrinth created or a place of fun for local children’. The Meeting also performed by Quakers in Welwyn Garden City Although it was only intended to a reading of Jan Arriens’ play is standing the test of time. last for one season, the labyrinth is Tribunal on 27 February this year. Local Friend Margaret Baker told still there. Lucy Holmes, one of the wardens Eye that, in 2014: ‘Much thought ‘One Sunday morning a short of the Meeting, told Eye that over was given to whether we should do while ago a snowman appeared in forty people from the Meeting, something to mark the beginning the very centre of the labyrinth. We Area Meeting and non-Quaker of the first world war or not.’ rather suspect the warden and his community attended. In addition to an exhibition daughter bear some responsibility They came ‘for afternoon tea and in the Meeting house, reflecting for this. Unfortunately, he (the to hear the play about an eighteen- the reactions of local Quakers, snowman) didn’t live very long, year-old conscientious objector in Friends ‘created a labyrinth in the and the space in the middle of world war one. grass fronting the Meeting house the labyrinth we have filled with ‘The readers brilliantly brought which could be used as a place of artificial white poppies, each bearing this emotive and thought contemplation by adults passing by, the word “Peace” at its centre.’ provoking play to life.’ Powerful bottoms Enlightening

Historical texts can sometimes be a source of unusual wisdom. directions Could this be said of a gem recently unearthed from the Yearly Meeting minutes of 1694? Those seeking the offices of Judith Roads, of North East Thames Area Meeting, discovered a the Northern Friends Peace Board thought-provoking quote whilst transcribing a volume of Yearly Meeting (NFPB) in Bolton may be getting minutes from 1691-1701. Under the heading ‘This meeting being the first unusual directions following recent of the 3 Things. Agree to put it by. and G.Keith saith he is willing to bury developments in the city. it.’ the minute, apparently recorded verbatim, reads: ‘You might now be given the ‘The Nature of this Meeting is of a Travelling Nature and hath been and direction to “head towards the light this not yet ceast, and there must be great Tenderness towards the person and turn left”,’ the NFPB shared on concerned. their Facebook page. ‘I am one with the Generall part of the Testimonys given, As to the The post elaborated: ‘We’ve business before Us There hath been heats and differences among them. been watching scaffolding, cranes, ‘And as touching G.K.’s [George Keith’s] books the matter is not well nor girders and hi-vis jackets across the the manner is not well and without a good bottom it’s not well nor like we road over the past year. Now the should build well. nearly-finished cinema is revealed, ‘The Lord’s Power is our bottom.’ appropriately named The Light.’

16 the Friend, 11 March 2016 11 Mar 8/3/16 13:31 Page 7

For how to place a notice on this page please contact George Penaluna 01535 630230, [email protected] Friends&Meetings Deaths Memorial meetings Changes of clerk

Christine (Chris) LOFTY John Stevenson JOHNSTON (Ian) FOLKESTONE LOCAL MEETING 16 February, of cancer. Mother of A Meeting for Worship to celebrate From 6 March, Clerk: Derek Peirce, Finlay. Attender at Streatham and Ian's life will be held at 2pm tel. 01303 220459. Assistant Clerk Brixton Meeting, co-ordinator of Thursday 24 March at St Leonards and Correspondence: Phil Gould, children's meeting. Aged 50. church hall, Donaldson Gardens, 21 Bartholomew Lane, Hythe, Kent Funeral already held. St Andrews KY16 9DN, followed by CT21 4BT. Tel. 01303 267253. Email refreshments. Enquiries to: address remains: folkestoneclerk@ Howard Marriage KNIGHT [email protected] eastkentquakers.org.uk 18 December 2015. Husband of the late Margaret and previously the late Jennifer. Father of Chris, Rachel Changes to meeting Diary Knight and Liz Smart. Member of Portishead Meeting, formerly Sidcot FRIENDS HOUSE MEETING QUAKERS WITH JEWISH Meeting. Sidcot and Leighton Park (EUSTON) There will be no CONNECTIONS Open Day, Old Scholar. Aged 84. A celebration Meeting for Worship on Sunday Saturday 2 April, 11.15 – 4.00. of Howard’s life will be held at 27 March due to essential building Jane Clements, director, Council for Portishead Meeting House, works at Friends House, which Christians and Jews, will speak on 11 St Marys Road, Portishead, Bristol closes at 9pm Thursday 24 March, the theme of religion and peace- at 12.30pm Sunday 10 April, followed re-opening 8am Tuesday 29 March. making (morning). Discussion on by refreshments. Further informa- how to take our concerns forward tion: [email protected] or (afternoon). The Priory Rooms, phone 07804 101938. Keep in touch... Quaker Meeting House, 40 Bull St, Birmingham, B4 6AF. For further Ingrid PENNY (née Eason) 3 March. ...always remember to put information, Harvey Gillman on Peacefully at Smyth House. Widow your family announcements [email protected] / 01797 458951. Donations toward the event welcome. of George. Member of Leiston the Friend! Meeting. Aged 98. Funeral 12 noon in Friday 18 March at Seven Hills Crematorium Nacton, Suffolk. Enquiries to: [email protected] 31 Marsham Lane Norman RICHARDSON 6 March, Gerrards Cross peacefully at home. Husband of Bucks Julia, father of Nigel and Ian, grand- SL9 8HB father of Alice, Emma, Caroline and Toby,great-grandfather of Indie. Swarthmore Care Home is set in Member of Ross-on-Wye Meeting, beautiful landscaped gardens in the formely of Hall Green, Birmingham; village of Gerrards Cross, where Horfield, Bristol; Leicester and there are many opportunities for Oakham Meetings. Aged 88. Funeral residents to enjoy a variety of on Monday 21 March. Contact Julia cultural and leisure pursuits. for details: [email protected] 01989 763746. We offer high quality care within a homely atmosphere, promoting Jack SLADE 7 March, peacefully at independence and dignity. There is a busy and varied activities programme home. Husband of Margaret, father and opportunities for residents to maintain their hobbies and interests. to Janet, Edward and Rachel. Swarthmore also offers 4 self-contained flats for the active elderly who Member of Newcastle upon Tyne wish to remain independent, bit with the reassurance of knowing help is Meeting. Aged 91. Funeral details: available when required. We offer a permanent home to 36 residents and Janet 0161 224 1770 or can also offer respite on occasion. [email protected] For further details please call our home on 01753 885663 or Pat WESTWOOD 29 February, email: [email protected] suddenly. Member of Ackworth web: www.swarthmorecarehome.org.uk Meeting. Aged 86. Funeral at Pontefract Crematorium, 11am Swarthmore Housing Society Ltd is managed under Quaker auspices and has Wednesday 16 March. charitable status.

the Friend, 11 March 2016 17 11 Mar 8/3/16 13:31 Page 8

Classified advertisements The Kindlers 54a Main St, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL T&F: 01535 630230 E: [email protected] CORNWALL, 14TH CENTURY COTTAGE STUDY TOURS in the North overlooking sea. £190-220 pw. Short breaks. www.wix.com/beryldestone/ Being Quaker Today cornishcottage 0117 951 4384. LIVE ADVENTUROUSLY! Join Quaker All-day Saturday workshop: 3 Service and Study Tour 17 July - 1 August 2016; meet some of Bolivia’s 30,000+ MID-WALES. Dolobran Meeting House Sat 19 March - Community Cottage. Simple, rural, secret, heavenly indigenous Quakers experiencing dramatic Led by Ann Bank & David Bowgett retreat. Sleeps 3. £25 per night. life changes. See projects of Quaker Quakerism as a do-it-together faith, [email protected] Bolivia Link (qbl.org). Volunteer with 01938 500746. students of Bolivian Quaker Education opportunities and commitment. Fund (bqef.org). Talk with leaders. Learn and grow. Machu Picchu option. Friends Meeting House THE TROSSACHS, CALLANDER. 6 Mount St, Manchester M2 5NS www.TreasuresoftheAndes.com Delightful two-bedroom ground floor 00 1 707 823 6034 (8 hours behind GMT). 10am - 4.30pm. No booking apartment. Amenities close-by and £10 at door, bring picnic lunch. wonderful scenery. 01454 238417. resident friend SETTLE QUAKER MEETING hopes to Quaker Concern Over appoint a new Resident Friend this Autumn. A full advertisement will be placed in due course. In the meantime, anyone who would like more information Population (QCOP) please contact Alison Tyas 01729 822313. where to stay GUESTHOUSES, HOTELS, B&BS

B&B AT WOODBROOKE, BIRMINGHAM. Explore Birmingham and the Midlands or relax in 10 acres of gardens and woodland. Close to Bournville and public transport. Wonderful library, delicious meals, Friendly welcome. Great value. Book at www.woodbrooke.org.uk or call 0121 472 5171.

EDINBURGH. City centre accommodation at Emmaus House. Tel. 0131 228 1066. www.emmaushouse-edinburgh.co.uk Email: [email protected] Scottish charity SC042957.

COTTAGES & SELF-CATERING

A WARM PEMBROKESHIRE WELCOME awaits you in 2 cosy well equipped cottages each sleeps 4. Woodburners, sea views, coastal path 2 miles. 01348 891286. [email protected] www.stonescottages.co.uk

CLAVERHAM, NORTH SOMERSET Concerned over the fate of the planet? Cottage adjoining historic Meeting House in rural area close to coast. Ideal for short Visit our new website www.qcop.org.uk breaks or family holidays. Sleeps up to seven. Website: www.claverhamtrust.org.uk to find out why Friends should consider the Enquiries: Tom Leimdorfer, telephone 01934 834663. [email protected] ways in which the increase in human numbers

COTSWOLDS. Spacious barn conversion will impact on all of our testimonies. in Charlbury near Woodstock. Sleeps 2+. Woodburner. Lovely walking. 01608 811558. [email protected]. www.qcop.org.uk www.cotswoldsbarn.com Image used with permission from CagelCartoons.com

18 the Friend, 11 March 2016 11 Mar 8/3/16 13:31 Page 9

OVERSEAS HOLIDAYS ACHILL ISLAND, CO. MAYO, IRELAND. Traditional 2-bedroom cottage with modern facilities. Sleeps 4/5. Peaceful setting The Kindlers FAUGÉRES, LANGUEDOC, FRANCE. in own grounds with beautiful sea views. in the South Well-equipped, unpretentious village Available April - October. €350-550pw. house. Ideal for walks, wine, historic Details from [email protected] All-day Saturday workshop: 3 towns. Montpellier: 60 mins, 01494 722486. Carcassonne: 90 mins. €320-390pw, Creativity and sleeps 4/6. www.faugeres.co.uk Spirituality email: [email protected] PERSONAL RETREATS, FRANCE. Make Written & spoken words Also For Sale €95,000 negotiable. space to reflect and be still. Beautiful old Sat 19 March led by Paula Tait See www.creme-de-languedoc.com/ farmhouse in rural Auvergne offers detailsale3.php?id=20608 supportive, nurturing environment for Vocal ministry and inspiration, individual retreats. Simple daily rhythm: song and silence in our tradition. meditation; silence; contemplative/artistic Friends House, 173 Euston Road, For how to advertise contact activities. Walking. Organic vegetarian George Penaluna: 01535 London, 10 for 10.30am - 5pm. No food. www.retreathouseauvergne.com booking £10 at door, bring 630230 or [email protected] picnic lunch. All welcome. for sale & to let

ACTIVE AND OVER 60? Quaker House, Leeds, with garden behind Carlton Hill Meeting House, has two flats for sale, one of them on the ground floor; each TRUSTEES has two bedrooms. Interested now or for (unpaid – out of pocket expenses reimbursed) waiting list? Contact Una Parker (0113) 244 5454. Swarthmore Housing Society Limited was formed in 1946 to enhance the quality of life for and care of older people. A large house was purchased in Gerrards Cross and opened as Swarthmore Residential Care Home in 1947. The home personal is run in accordance with the Quaker beliefs that value the uniqueness of the individual and of their potential contribution as a member of a community. MAN ON A JOURNEY? Men's Rites of Passage: www.mrop.org.uk. For young men We employ a team of 52 staff and have exempt charitable status. We are see www.ymrop.org.uk. Are you ready? regulated by the Care Quality Commission. We wish to recruit two new members who are in sympathy with the Quaker miscellaneous Values to join our nine-strong governing body, the board of trustees.

We need people who can help direct Swarthmore Housing Society Limited ACCOUNTING SERVICES towards achieving its mission and ensure the organisation is effectively managed in line with current legislation. You would need to be able to Charity Accounts prepared. Independent Examinations carried out. make a commitment to Swarthmore and devote the necessary time, have Bookkeeping Services. strategic vision, independent judgement, an ability to think creatively and a willingness to speak your mind. Ideally the new trustees will also have skills Contact David Stephens FCCA on 07843 766685. and experience in one or more of the following areas: Email: [email protected] • Those with a background in the Care sector • Business QUAKER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES, • Finance Partnerships, commitments, notices and other calligraphy. Liz Barrow 01223 369776. We are particularly keen to achieve a more diverse board of trustees and we welcome applications from all sections of the community. WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY? We will pay trustees’ travel expenses and provide an induction into Books typeset for your family’s pleasure. Photos and other graphics can be included. Swarthmore’s work. You will be expected to contribute roughly one day of Contact Trish on 01223 363435. your time each month. [email protected] Please contact Janet Cummins, Chair of the Trustees on 0203 609 2105 Other printed material also prepared. for an informal discussion about the role of trustee. Please apply with a covering letter enclosing your CV and send to: The best investment you Maureen Tassi, Swarthmore Residential Care Home 31 Marsham Lane, Gerrards Cross, Bucks, SL9 8HB can make - a subscription to the Friend! The closing date for applications is: 25th April 2016. Swarthmore Housing Society Limited is register under the Industrial & Enjoy a weekly dividend of Provident Society Act 1965, number 12831R and is run in close association news, nurture and inspiration. with the Religious Society of Friends to provide care and accommodation for its members and others in need and has exempt charity status. See www.thefriend.org

the Friend, 11 March 2016 19 11 Mar 8/3/16 13:31 Page 10 V AD. DEPT EDITORIAL ol 54a Main St 173 Euston Road 174 Quaker Concern Cononley London NW1 2BJ Over Population.Keighley BD20 8LL T 020 7663 1010 No

See page 18. T 01535 630230 F 020 7663 11-82 11 E [email protected] the Friend E [email protected]

Become a Governor of a Quaker School There are eight independent Quaker Schools in England - Ackworth, Bootham, Breckenbrough and The Mount in Yorkshire, Friends School, Saffron Walden in Essex, Leighton Park in Berkshire, Sibford in Oxfordshire and Sidcot in Somerset. All need Quakers on their Governing Bodies to ensure the continuing Quaker ethos of their school.

All the Governing Bodies require a balance of the skills necessary to ensure the future of their schools. Key skills are education (especially in a management position), finance, HR, legal, marketing and property.

Find out more at www.aquakereducation.co.uk, where you can download a job description. You can write to [email protected] if you would like to express an interest in one or more of the schools or to:

The Executive Secretary, Friends School Council, 6 Westgate, THIRSK YO7 1QS.