Poems from a Quaker Heartland the Friend INDEPENDENT QUAKER JOURNALISM SINCE 1843

14 May 2010 £1.70 the DISCOVER THE CONTEMPORARYFriend QUAKER WAY

Poems from a Quaker heartland the Friend INDEPENDENT QUAKER JOURNALISM SINCE 1843

CONTENTS – VOL 168 NO 20 3-5 News 3 Patriotism or profit? 4 Failure is not an option 5 An injustice system Bob Booth 6 A look at prison sentencing Richard Scatchard 7 Comment John Lampen, Rachael Booth and Ann Johnson 8-9 Letters 10-11 Poems from a Quaker heartland Sue Holden 12 Charles Morgan Peter Holland 13 Trust: lost and re-found Nöel Staples 14 Mornington Crescent ministry John Hall 16 q-eye: witness 17 Friends & Meetings

Cover image: Lower Force waterfall at river Ure, Aysgarth, Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. Photo: Sheffield Tiger/ flickr CC:BY. See pages 10-11. Details from Matthew Jackson’s Quaker Meeting Place Garden. Photos: Peter Fishpool. See page 16.

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2 the Friend, 14 May 2010 News Patriotism or profit?

Symon Hill reports on campaigners’ efforts to put BAE Sytems’ activities ‘on the record’

The chairman of the arms probe a huge BAE deal with his Olver’s earlier claims about BAE’s company BAE Systems has refused country. As the tension rose, he innocence. to rule out arms sales to countries quoted Desmond Tutu’s claim ‘You have lied to the shareholders that threaten the UK. that the deal ‘unleashed a culture of this company,’ he insisted, ‘If you In a heated annual general of corruption that has seriously have a shred of personal integrity… meeting (AGM) in the Queen undermined the transition from you will today publicly apologise Elizabeth Centre in London, apartheid to democracy’. to the shareholders and the chairman Dick Olver insisted Andrew Feinstein challenged communities you misled and you that he was ‘passionate’ about Olver on BAE’s recent ‘plea will resign with immediate effect’. British industry. He defended bargains’. In February, British and Dick Olver rejected the himself from accusations that he is US authorities agreed to drop allegations ‘with every sinew of my more concerned with profit than corruption investigations in return being’. He added, ‘I have spent six patriotism. for relatively small payouts and years doing precisely the opposite In a room full of BAE images of confessions of guilt over more of what you suggest’. union flags, campaigners pointed minor offences. Under further questioning, Dick out that the UK now accounts for But Andrew Feinstein said Olver admitted that no director only a minority of BAE’s business. that the plea bargains contradict or senior employee had resigned, Dick Olver avoided a question even though BAE had pleaded from a shareholder who asked him guilty to conspiracy to mislead to ‘guarantee’ that he would not sell BAE Systems factfile the US Department of Justice. He arms to ‘countries which threaten was jeered as he claimed that none the UK’. To shouts of ‘answer the • BAE is the world’s largest arms of them knew the company was question!’, Olver only repeated company. misleading anyone. unspecific comments about • Around 95% of BAE’s sales are Demonstrators gathered in a ‘rigorous standards’. military. They include fighter peaceful protest outside the AGM The majority of questions aircraft, warships, tanks and to form a ‘People’s Jury’ and put a were asked by supporters of the artillery. giant puppet of Dick Olver ‘in the Campaign Against Arms Trade • BAE made £18.5bn in 2008. dock’. (CAAT), who buy single shares • BAE has military customers in CAAT’s Sarah Waldron described to gain access to the AGM. The over 100 countries, including this as ‘an attempt to get the true activists were themselves heckled Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. facts about BAE’s activities onto by traditional shareholders. • BAE has recently sold arms to the record, given that they are now The atmosphere in the room was both India and Pakistan. very unlikely to reach court, thanks set by the first question, asked by • BAE is facing corruption to the shameful plea bargains South African former MP Andrew allegations in five continents. between BAE and the UK and US Feinstein, who led attempts to authorities.’

the Friend, 14 May 2010 3 News Failure is not an option Joe Thwaites reports on an international conference on nuclear weapons

The dispute between Iran and the deterrent for as long as nuclear negotiations in good faith’ towards United States reignited last week weapons exist’. In a move to disarmament of their arsenals; in New York at the opening of demonstrate greater transparency, states without nuclear weapons a United Nations conference to the US announced the number of agreed not to seek them; and review progress on disarmament nuclear weapons in its stockpile all countries are guaranteed the and non-proliferation of nuclear – 5,113. right to peaceful use of nuclear weapons. 189 states are participating in technology. Iranian president Mahmoud the eighth review conference of In a speech to an international Ahmadinejad used the opportunity the Nuclear Non Proliferation gathering of more than 800 to deflect attention from its nuclear Treaty (NPT) this month. The peace activists in advance of the programme and attack the United last meeting in 2005 was widely conference, UN secretary general States on its own record. He said acknowledged as a failure, after Ban Ki-Moon set out his hopes that as the only country to use deadlock over how to address for successful talks: ‘We know nuclear weapons offensively, the Iran’s nuclear programme and the that nuclear disarmament is not a United States was ‘among the most lack of serious commitments to distant, unattainable dream. It is an hated in history’. disarmament from nuclear armed urgent necessity, here and now. We Reiterating president Obama’s states. are determined to achieve it.’ vision set out in his speech in Created in 1968, the NPT rests Prague last year for a world free of on three pillars: recognised nuclear Joe Thwaites is a programme nuclear weapons, Hillary Clinton states (China, France, Russia, the assistant for the Quaker UN Office outlined steps the US has taken in UK and US) committed to ‘pursue in New York. this direction, but stated that ‘the A longer version of this article is United States will retain a nuclear Photo: UN Photo/Mark Garten. available at www.thefriend.org.

4 the Friend, 14 May 2010 [email protected] Report An injustice system Bob Booth asks ‘Whose hands are at work in the justice system?’ Photo: Robin Dude/flickr CC:BY.

It was the epitome of a good positives – suicides down, fewer were happening – but were less Quaker event. There was an women and young people in publicised. openness and a listening and prison and a prison service now Magistrate John Myhill made learning from others who are able to be charged with corporate very clear how most cases are usually separated by the society manslaughter. ‘We legislators have complicated and need to be dealt around us. It was a chance to start not done well with the government with at a personal level, rather the radical changes so desperately passing 3,600 new criminal justice than in the generalised way that needed in our sadly ineffective laws since 1997.’ The balance is politicians often propose as an easy justice system. moving even further away from solution. Probation officer Ann The occasion was the 2010 community to punishment and Powell countered the generalisation conference of Quakers in prison – despite the proof of that they had been ‘de-skilled’ by Criminal Justice at Glenthorne reconvictions clearly pointing their merger with the prison service Quaker Centre and those present the other way. It was, she said, a in NOMS, the National Offender included probation and prison question of ‘waste management for Management Service, and she was officers, an ex-prison governor, unwanted people’ – an injustice quite optimistic about working a social worker, magistrates, system. better with both police and prisons. ex-prisoners, prison chaplains, a However, against this pessimism Most of us have not become policeman, a psychiatrist, a radical there was a more positive note computer watchers, she said. parliamentarian and so on. from other speakers. Experiences Paula Harvey on behalf of Vivien Stern told how the House at the chalk face show us that Quaker Peace & Social Witness of Lords was both frustrating ‘the offence does not define and the Crime, Community and and challenging. She noted that the person’, as Wendy Barlow, a Justice Group drew attention to the Quakers had frequently initiated prison officer at Grendon prison, ‘Learning from Experience’ project necessary changes and that changes reminded us. Graham Lawton, a from which Quakers draw out the were now needed more urgently community police officer working actual consequences in the lives of than ever with plans for twenty in Leeds, said that although the both offenders and those affected new prisons for 1,000+ prisoners ASBO (Anti-Social Behaviour by them in the current system. and a projected prisoner total of Order) has got a reputation as Finally, Bob and Sue Johnson 96,000. This is a result of an ever- a quick way of turning people showed videos from Bob’s previous increasing takeover of judicial into criminals, he was seeing the experience as a prison psychiatrist judgments by the government. success of pragmatic problem- demonstrating his belief that much We spend more per capita on oriented policing at a community violence is ‘not genetic but learned’. criminal justice than anyone else level. This was done despite both It comes from ‘frustrated toddlers’ in the Organisation for Economic the media, and often the police who are ‘brainwashed into fear’. Co-operation and Development themselves, sensationalising Will the Home Office listen? (a global grouping of states and giving a negative slant by committed to democracy and the talking of ‘yobs’. They saw that as Bob is a member of Seaford Meeting market economy) or the US! more newsworthy than the more and is Quaker chaplain at Lewes Vivien Stern offered a few positive and successful actions that prison.

the Friend, 14 May 2010 5 Opinion A look at prison sentencing

Richard Scatchard tackles the lack of public understanding about prison policies

In recent months there has been a the banks, where there is an urgent themselves from unfair criticism. tremendous amount of material in need to undertake a radical change This year major cuts are being the media about some very serious of strategy. made in the Justice Department’s crimes but also a lot of focus on One of the things that get very budget, and I would suspect that the way criminals are perceived to little publicity is the dramatic these cuts have the potential be given lenient sentences only to increase in the length of prison to totally destroy some of the be released five minutes later to sentences being given by the progress that has been made in commit even more serious offences. courts over the last twenty years the prison system. It is not just in Yet, during the same period and the fact that magistrates prisons that there is a problem: the the Audit Commission issued a and judges have a set of very Probation Service is being totally report which clearly showed that detailed guidelines to follow on overwhelmed with the number the policy of locking up an ever sentencing. I have yet to see an of people they have to look after increasing number of people for a article where a newspaper writer and the increased supervisory wider variety of offences was quite informs their readership of the responsibilities for each of them. clearly not having the intended ‘fact’ that magistrates and judges Somehow the ‘truth’ about what deterrent effect. do take full account of the actual is really going on must be conveyed The Commission highlighted time a prisoner will serve of their to people. The official crime how an increasing number of sentence. The media are also guilty statistics may show a reduction short-term prisoners were being of giving a totally false impression but the British public clearly do caught up in an endless circle of of what a life or indeterminate not believe them; they are caught re-offending. Into jail (a university sentence really means. The tariff up in the whole media circus that of crime), banged up 23 hours a is often quoted as the sentence; surrounds criminal justice. It is day, receiving no form of training bodies like the Prison Reform Trust unlikely that the clamour for ‘being or offender behaviour work, to be do their best to try and explain to tough on crime’ can be eliminated, released at the end of their sentence people the different parts of the but isn’t it possible for the public to only to re-offend, then back to sentence, but are rarely given the be given the truth about sentencing jail and so on. The Commission opportunity to explain this as it and the failure of the system to estimated that this was costing doesn’t make good headline stories. reduce re-offending? the nation £10 million a year; a I often feel sorry for members In the past, there have been cost that was only likely to grow of the criminal justice system as several Quaker MPs and two as more people are given custodial they are quite wrongly given the Quaker American presidents. sentences. Gordon Brown proudly blame for ‘failures’ in the system. Could having a greater Quaker stated how expertly he managed They have a set of rules to follow voice in Westminster be the way to the British economy; maybe the and they are not allowed to defend promote a fairer, more just society? criminal management system is Delivering sentence. Richard is a member of Wincanton another area of the economy, like Photo: Brymo/flickr CC:BY. Meeting.

6 the Friend, 14 May 2010 Comment Love your enemies

I find that election campaigns everything he most opposed. Yet unexpressed sentimental feelings. don’t bring out the Quaker in he was willing to seek her help on It has to be put into practice, me. Instead they tend to make issues that he thought important and we need as many examples me sceptical, uncharitable, and and built a kind of bond with her. as possible of the various ways grumpy. In theory I believe in The story is this: the night of doing so, not least in politics. democracy, but in practice I before she lost the Tory leadership, This act of sheer kindness to an don’t find much to admire in the Frank Field was concerned that opponent makes me feel humble. way our representatives run our the Cabinet would not present her It shows up my own negative country or work together to solve situation to her honestly. So he responses for what they are. And our problems. went to ‘Number Ten’ to see her it makes me wonder how politics So I was very struck this week by privately. He was shocked by her might change if we could convince a story I read about Frank Field, a appearance: ‘I imagine that’s how those engaged in it that we admire man I have admired since his early you would look if the doctors were kindness, concern, forgiveness and work with the Child Poverty Action telling you that you had inoperable mutual understanding more than Group and Low Pay Unit. He cancer,’ he said later. She asked why the sparring matches so often put joined Tony Blair’s government in he had come and he told her: ‘You on for our supposed enjoyment. It 1997 as minister for welfare reform can’t go out on a top note, but you shows how much is wrong when but soon surrendered his post can go out on a high note. And if saying ‘I agree with Nick’ is seen as rather than sacrifice his integrity you don’t go tonight, they’ll tear Gordon Brown’s big blunder in the and compromise his championship you apart tomorrow.’ television debates. of the poor. So Margaret Thatcher ‘Love your enemies’ is the John Lampen with her famous remark ‘There is hardest command of all to John is a member of Central no such thing as society’ stood for understand. It is not about England Area Meeting. Time for change … extra

Rachael Booth: values to live by It’s hard to think of one change that a new government could make that would, alone, make a significant difference to my life. It seems that the most important change would be political reform; not because it would necessarily have an immediate impact, but it would allow for more changes and a much fairer system of government in the future. Currently, our political system is lacking in certain areas, such as the Quaker values of Integrity and Equality. It’s not great on the other testimonies either, but for a system of government they are less important, and should follow from the first two. Although you could say that these values are issues of faith, so should have little role in government, I see them more as values for all to live by, regardless of faith. If a new government managed to instil these values irrevocably into our political system, then that could only be a change for the better. Ann Johnson: voice for animals Along with my crow friend, a seasoned outsider, I contribute as a voice for non-human animals who are so often omitted from discourse. I hope for a government that at last constructs a meaningful and robust pathway for the way animals are treated. For example: an up to date licensing system for animal experimentation that protects animals, rather than researchers; the banning of wild animals used as ‘entertainment’ in British circuses; proper inspection and action taken against commercial zoos and aquariums that cause animals to suffer and die; a ban on the increasing import and trade of reptiles as ‘exotic pets’; a halt on the construction of giant intensive factory dairy farms; a strong and forceful system of animal welfare inspection within DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs); a resounding parliamentary ‘NO!’ to the repeal of the hunting with dogs law; the appointment of an animal advocate within government.

the Friend, 14 May 2010 7 Letters All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend

Time for change The one change I have begged for wonders whether the ‘deletion of is to allow assisted dying, with Notified and Recognised Meetings’ Last week we invited a selection suitable safeguards of course. discourages small worshipping of Quakers to tell us what The cruelty of keeping old and groups moving forward towards change they would most like the irreversibly sick people alive against becoming a flourishing Local next government to implement their will is appalling. It is my Meeting. I hope she can be and why. greatest personal fear. reassured that in fact the term As well as the nine contributions Anne Ashworth ‘Local Meeting’ now combines printed in the paper edition Blackpool Meeting the former three types of Local last week, we published more Meeting in one overall category contributions on our website. Comment from the website: and that there is no change in how We also received further In a week of repetitious, banal, Meetings of different situations contributions. This week we negative information deluge from operate, only how they are present further contributions politicians I found reading these supported. The revised chapter 4 on page 7 and below. You can contributions fresh, inspiring, (sections 4.31 onwards) of Quaker still add your comment at www. energising and very practical faith & practice in the fourth thefriend.org/article/time-for- – thank you all! Could Friends edition gives the background and change/. somehow get these ideas into explains how evolving Meetings the political process? Make them should work out with their Area It is not so much what I would happen? What do we need to do? Meeting how best to fit their like to happen but what I would John Sturt particular situation. If Friends do like not to happen in the next Nottingham not have a fourth edition of the government. I passionately do not book, it can be accessed online want the ban on hunting wildlife Inspired at www.quaker.org.uk/qfp. Local with dogs to be repealed. This I loved the photo (30 April) of Meetings do not need to jump would be a serious retrograde step young Quakers at Junior Yearly from house group straight to a for a civilised and compassionate Meeting (JYM) standing and fully operating Local Meeting with society that seeks peace and waving in the shape of the letter regular Business Meetings and all kindness to all sentient creatures. Q. The picture came back to me the trimmings: this can be at their Can anything be more obnoxious vividly on Sunday morning during own pace, hand in hand with their than inflicting pain, distress Meeting for Worship when our Area Meeting. and death on the innocent and clerk read aloud the epistle from Michael Hutchinson vulnerable, who do not have a JYM. In the silence that followed, I Assistant recording clerk, Britain voice of their own, not least in the suddenly saw the letter Q in a new Yearly Meeting of the Religious name of fun and sport? It is not light. I felt I had to share this in Society of Friends (Quakers) only the welfare of humans that is spoken ministry. Friends House, 173 Euston Road, threatened by this election. The words I used were London NW1 2BJ Stuart Hartley something like this: ‘The capital 9, Robert St, Oswaldtwistle, letter Q is made up of a circle and Twenty-odd years ago I wrote Lancashire BB5 3JT the circle symbolises a loving and to the Friend about the welter of worshipping community which is paper from Friends House and A change I should like to see in a held together by mutual support; many other Quaker sources that new government is a different way and then there is the diagonal greatly burdened local clerks. Since of viewing our fellow species and line that cuts across the circle and then the computer revolution has acting on that vision. the line draws strength from the multiplied the papers that can be We are happy to exploit them community within the circle and spewed out regardless of recipient in all ways we perceive might be goes outside into the world taking or relevance. Now the matter beneficial to us, but we human our Quaker faith and values and has – according to your columns animals are just one species concerns.’ – been made worse when Allowed and there is no justification for Debbie Carr Meetings, and other worship-only persecuting the myriad others, or Kings Lynn Meeting Meetings, have by sleight-of-hand, ignoring their legitimate interests. become ‘Local Meetings’ and are Marian Hussenbux Local Meetings expected to handle the bureaucratic Wirral & Chester AM Loraine Brown (‘The pressure of form-filling. Some existing Local forming a Local Meeting’, 30 April) Meetings have had to split the

8 the Friend, 14 May 2010 [email protected]

clerkship into two jobs – and still membership but surely the question activities and programmes had they are overwhelmed. of whether or not they are invited arisen in the past ten years and The solution I proposed twenty to become an Area Meeting trustee often involved members of the years ago was that all Quaker should depend on their perceived Quaker Retreat Group. We were organisations only disseminate capacity to carry out this function grateful for the concern and spark unsolicited information by not on whether for some personal of life present in these ventures. buying space for their documents reason they have decided against We recognise the work that in the Friend. All of us would applying for membership. could still be done, particularly in then subscribe to our Quaker On the BYM website, under the forming local networks to offer and weekly and feel no need to sort head ‘Quakers in Britain’ one reads: train people for retreat-giving. out anything else that comes ‘Individuals who attend Meeting Our members who offer retreat- through the letter-box – unless regularly are known as attenders. giving and/or One-to-One Ministry we had specifically asked for more They often take an active part in have been encouraged to register information. organising activities in the Quaker with the Quaker Life Network David Birmingham Meeting and they play a full part to continue to be accessible to 2 Cherry Garden Road, in their Quaker community.’ If members and Meetings. Canterbury CT2 8EL such individuals find it difficult We are grateful for all that has to see why the Society feels it been possible in retreat-giving The membership question necessary to distinguish them from because of the Quaker Retreat At a recent Business Meeting Friends I share their puzzlement. Group and previously ‘Q Room’, of Oxford and Swindon Area It might throw some light on this which mainly supported One-to- Meeting a considerable period of question if one knew the history One Ministry, as did the Quaker time was devoted to the question of the origin of the concept of Retreat Group that replaced it. of whether any Friend who had ‘attender’ and on the factors that After our finances are completed attended Meeting consistently led to it being introduced. One any balance will be distributed and who had played an active might then be better equipped carefully, especially with respect to and valued role in the life of a to answer whether those same the grant received from the Joseph Meeting could be appointed as an factors are relevant today. Can any Rowntree Charitable Trust. Area Meeting trustee. This might knowledgeable Friend (or attender) The Interim Discernment Group have been considered a rather help here please? have undertaken our task with academic question since until Don Mason care and concern and reached our recently an attender had served Witney Meeting decision with both sadness and as a trustee for the preceding six gratitude for the Quaker Retreat years. However, as a consequence Quaker Retreat Group Group. We hope that Friends of changes in charity law the Area At the annual general meeting will consider our task has been Meeting has to register with the in October 2009 an Interim completed in right ordering. Charity Commission independent Discernment Group was appointed Joy Croft of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) to consider the future of the Norwich Meeting and this requirement has led to the Quaker Retreat Group. This group Diana Reddaway question being revisited. offered members a possible Welwyn Garden City Meeting While I understand that the framework for continuing and Meg Dixon (convenor) answer to this question has yet requested their views. Necessary Llanidloes Meeting to be decided the fact that it has information gathering was been asked at all raises the larger undertaken to aid making a right Send letters to: Letters to the question of the value of the discernment and decision. editor, the Friend, 173 Euston distinction between a member and At our final meeting on 1 March Road, London NW1 2BJ an attender. For an Area Meeting we shared thoughts on the views Email: [email protected] to aim to appoint an attender as a and offers of help expressed by Please include your full postal trustee is compelling evidence that members who had responded to address and telephone number had the attender in question applied our request for their suggestions. and a reference (issue, title) to for membership they would have After a lengthy period of worship articles. Please indicate whether been accepted. It will be recognised we all felt it right that the time had you prefer your address, email that there may be a number come to lay the Quaker Retreat or Meeting or other detail to be of reasons why an established Group down. published with your name. We reserve the right to edit letters. attender may chose not to apply for We recognised that many

the Friend, 14 May 2010 9 outreach

Poems from a Quaker heartland

Sue Holden tells the story of how one Meeting is reaching out to local primary school pupils

It is 6 January, the worst weather conditions of the competition. Sarah is this school’s head teacher and a treacherous weeks since Christmas – I slip and slide fellow attender at our Meeting. along the hundred yards between my house and the main road, unsure whether the school I am to visit will Together we have built upon last year’s innovative be open or not. initiative, in which children from two schools, after an introduction by Quaker visitors, were invited to With thirty seconds to spare, I approach the school write poems on the subject of ‘Peace’. This year Quaker building, greeted by eager faces looking through the visitors went into five primary schools with the subject door. The children are lined up, waiting to enter the of ‘Silence’. Joining the children in assembly or other school hall. worship-sharing experiences, we embarked upon an exchange of ideas on the subject. I don’t think we had Closing the door quietly behind me, I hear Sarah’s previously considered the challenge we were giving authoritative, yet kindly reassuring voice: ‘Now the children in asking them to put words to ‘Silence’! children, as you go into the hall, just remember that However, they ably demonstrated a vast range of the atmosphere you find in the hall will be what you sights, sounds, tastes, feelings, sensations and indeed bring in there yourself. So you might like to think for a noises that they associated with the word. moment what you would like that to be.’ I immediately feel at home. Our judge Annie, a schools advisor, with a special interest in both English and Quakerism, chose two The occasion is the first outreach visit to one of winning poems from each school. the five schools invited to take part in Wensleydale and Swaledale Area Meeting’s second schools poetry On my second visit to Sarah’s school a double rainbow marks my arrival. I know deep inside myself that a moving experience awaits me. Again we sit Silence is quiet to me quietly in our worship-sharing circle and silently listen Silence is hush and quiet to me and my Grandad together to Alison Krauss’s rendering of Down in the Silence is calm when I am doing bird watching River to Pray, before Sarah asks the children if there is Silence is a special moment when Grandad is with anything they would like to say, ask, or share of their me experiences. Silence is my Grandad. I am sitting three away from eight-year-old, drawn, Mathew from Arkengarthdale pale faced, blond-haired Jonnie. I am mesmerised

10 the Friend, 14 May 2010 Swaledale. Photo: Gruban/flickr CC:SA. by his beautiful, long eyelashes. Annie did not know evidence of community cohesion, including an that Jonnie is the youngest child and only boy from a introduction to different faiths. Through Annie, family of five children who had never won anything as a schools advisor, the competition is now to be in his life before when she chose him as the winner. publicised more widely within the county and web His shock and bewildered delight on hearing his name links made between the participating schools, so that announced as winner touched my heart. the poems can be further shared. Ideas for next year already include a wider variety of artistic possibilities Silence is a sweet in order to facilitate a more comprehensive display and gentle smell afterwards. tasty like chocolate melting in your mouth. After she read this poem by Sacha from Gunnerside, a close runner up, Annie was left in stitches. She told Each school was free to choose how to spend us she would never again be able to enter a Quaker their Quaker gift of £50 and each chose a different Meeting for Worship without thinking of us all this combination of recipients: the winners; the school, way: school council, or winners to decide how the money should be spent. Sarah’s children chose for all the Silence is when the spitting fire is burning money to go to Haiti. Silence is when the big door slams Silence is when the snow flutters from the sky We have made a booklet for local Friends of all the Noises is when a glass smashes and crashes to the poems and will be offering a display of the Poetry ground Competition to libraries and other public venues, Silence is when I cuddle my teddy bearing in mind that we will not be allowed to identify Noise is when I splash around in the swimming pool the Quaker nature of the competition in the libraries. Silence is when the Quackers are silent for an hour to think. Sh! Ssh! The mutual benefit of this competition went far beyond our initial expectations of Quaker outreach into schools. We are thrilled to realise that it also Sue is a member of Wensleydale and Swaledale Area happily meets Ofsted (Office for Standards in Meeting. If you’re interested in learning more about the Education, Children’s Services and Skills – the non- project, email Sue on [email protected]. ministerial government department of the chief Have you or your Meeting got a story to tell? Then get in inspector of schools in England) requirements for touch with the Friend (contact details on page 2).

the Friend, 14 May 2010 11 arts Charles Morgan

Peter Holland considers the work of an English poet who explored ‘the eternal verities’

The name of Charles Morgan (1894-1958) is little with other poems, was loss of home. In ‘To America’ known today, but in Hemlock and After (a 1952 novel realities of war appear. by Angus Wilson), he is spoken of in the same breath as TS Eliot, JB Priestley and Somerset Maugham. So, at this hour, when the Old World lies sick, As a novelist, playwright, essayist and critic he Beyond the pain, the agony of breath was a major force in English literature; in the 1930s- Hard drawn, beyond the menaces of death 1940s he was awarded the Femina-Vie Heureuse, the Hawthornden and the James Tait Black Memorial Morgan wrote the middle group of poems as a mature Prizes. In the 1950s he was president both of undergraduate in his mid-twenties. His anger with International PEN and the English Association. the war and its aftermath is clearly shown in ‘To the Morgan also published a small number of poems, Spoilers of the League’. many early in his career. It is these that have been brought together for the first time. An editorial note And whoever speaks of gain by blood with the poem ‘An Instant of Atonement Recollected Speaks not to fighting-men. This time, believe, from Childhood’ stated that Morgan ‘is considered Vision will not be tricked. She wears a sword by many to be the finest writer of English prose now Tempered by truth and faith, sharper than steel. living. That he should write poetry also is only natural, for his whole of life is pre-eminently poetical’. In ‘The Enchanted Sword’ he writes of the transforming power of the ecstasies of love, death, I held my breath poetry and art. That on the curvature of one small leaf Convex with dew, mirror of cloudy time, For faith in the incredible is given Heaven should swim in flawless miniature. First unto children, and again restored When love anoints with wonder, and we see But what is the Quaker connection? I had been a As a home-meadow the infinite fields of heaven. Friend for some twenty years when in the mid-1990s the question came to me ‘Whatever happened to The last poems were written when Morgan was Charles Morgan?’, a name I had not thought about an established author. The best-known is the ‘Ode for forty years. The coincidence, if it were such, was, to France’, published in 1942 and circulated widely as I found out in due course, that he had had many among the Resistance. There was a reciprocal love Quaker friends and was drawn by our spiritual between Morgan and France, where he was held in values and mystical approach. In a letter to a friend great esteem. he explained that if he were to have joined any Morgan lived to write, to be a proponent of the gift faith group it would have been Quakers. His poetry of language, and through that to explore the life of the illustrates his life-long exploration of what his son (a spirit. To quote Emerson: ‘The poet is representative. former head librarian at the Houses of Parliament), He stands among partial men for the complete describes in his foreword as the ‘eternal verities’. man, and apprises us not of his wealth, but of the In my introduction to the book I say something commonwealth’. about Morgan’s life and work, especially his poetry. The earliest group of poems was written as a prisoner Peter is a member of Stone Meeting. His edited Collected of war in the Netherlands, his first poem being Poems by Charles Morgan is published by Scarthin published on the leader page of The Times shortly Books and is available for £12. ISBN 978 1 900446 129. before Christmas 1915. Its theme, as was the case The photo is supplied courtesy of Roger Morgan.

12 the Friend, 14 May 2010 review Trust: lost and re-found

Noël Staples reviews a new book that considers the breakdown of trust in society and offers some remedies

Trust: How we lost it and how to culture and sport. In each of these trust was rife. But there was a time get it back by Anthony Seldon. areas lists of changes are identified when integrity counted for more; Biteback Publishing. ISBN: 978-1- that many would agree would when locked doors and surveillance 84954-001-8. £8.99. lead to greater trust both in the cameras weren’t everywhere. Only a institutions and their members. very brave person would withdraw Only in 2002 did I realise that a One intriguing ethical proposal from the culture of checking to rely breakdown in trust was not just is the ‘Trust Test’ (TT). ‘An action on trust. At the first problem there a personal worry when Onora is judged to have passed the TT if it will be cries of ‘if you had checked O’Neill gave her BBC Reith Lecture builds trust with other individuals. this wouldn’t have happened’. ‘A Question of Trust’. An action that detracts from or The solution Seldon suggests is After listing his ten core destroys trust is an action that fails partly spiritual and lies in trusting arguments and paying tribute to ‘A the TT.’ But blind trust is no good; ourselves first. ‘The only way to Question of Trust’, Anthony Seldon what is needed is active trust. reconnect to our cores is to spend proceeds with a discussion of the The problem is: how can time with ourselves, hence the perception of the problem of loss individuals be motivated to recommendation throughout this of trust. change? We can’t go back, even if book for leaders, but not only He surveys the subject of trust there ever was a golden past, when leaders, to spend ten minutes in comprehensively, providing an silent reflection a day, reading excellent introduction for the poetry, meditating, praying, lay person. There are a good The only way to breathing deeply or just being.’ bibliography, reasonable footnotes This begs the question ‘how can and a modest index. reconnect to our the majority of people, who find While trust at an individual silence a vacuum to be quickly level (between family, friends and cores is to spend ten filled with sound and stillness acquaintances) remains unchanged, an anathema to be exorcised by there are many symptoms of minutes in silent activity, be persuaded to overcome breakdown of trust at institutional their fear of silence and stillness?’ level: surveillance cameras, reflection a day, I don’t know the answer, but monitoring of internet and Seldon’s book is an important step electronic communication, identity reading poetry, towards greater trust. Probably cards and so on. most of us don’t give much Seldon discusses trust in meditating, praying, thought in our day-to-day lives to government, politics, democracy; the subject of trust in our wider business, the police and legal breathing deeply or society. This book is a ‘must read’ systems; health, education and remedy. social services; science, religion and just being ideology; community; and media, Noël attends Peterborough Meeting.

the Friend, 14 May 2010 13 Worship

Mornington Crescent ministry

I have heard it said that better In other cases, however, there made (in the games, the names Meetings for Worship are ones appears to be no link between the of the stations on the London where one ministry follows on ministries. In those cases it seems Underground system) there are from another. as though the second minister has links. These may not be obvious On occasion, such a link is clear not heard, or has not considered, to the listener but if the second to the rest of the Meeting but not the first. This does not necessarily speaker were asked to explain it, always. When it is, the assumption mitigate against a profound he/she would be able to do so in a is that the ministry develops a Meeting centred on the Spirit, but logical and acceptable way. topic raised in an earlier one. This it does have a different feel to it. I have often heard such ministry. occurs quite commonly when there There is, however, a third case, As one listens to the second, or has been a reading at the start of one that I like to call Mornington subsequent ministry, it does not the Meeting from the Book of Crescent ministry. I name it after appear to be based upon what has Discipline, most often from Advices the strange game developed on been said before. Nevertheless, and Queries. the radio programme I’m sorry as one absorbs the message, the It is as though both the tone I haven’t a clue from an earlier, origin becomes clear and leads to and the topic of the Meeting original non-game known as a greater comprehension than one have been set by the reading. Finchley Central. Because it is a would get solely from the words on The development can be quite non-game, it does not have rules, their own. Although the passage profound and sometimes or rather, it does have rules but of the Meeting does not appear to convoluted, but even so, it is clear they change on each playing. The follow any obvious pattern, it is from where it has come, even if the important element, however, is that still grounded in the Spirit. development is unexpected; such between each of the statements John Hall ministry can produce well-centred Meetings. Photo: Mike Knell/flickr CC:BY. John attends Colchester Meeting.

14 the Friend, 14 May 2010 Ad pages 14 May 10/5/10 19:43 Page 2

Outreach Development Officer Based in Friends House, London NW1. Full-time 35 hrs pw. Starting salary £32,799 rising by increments to £37,638.

As Quakers, we have important things to share with the world: Our way of worshipping together. Our communities and our lives together. Our commitment to justice and peace. This is an exciting opportunity to work with Friends in meetings, Quaker groups and staff at Friends House to make the Quaker way better known in the wider world. You will need to care passionately about the future of our faith. You will be an excellent communicator, who works well with a range of people, encouraging and rigorous in your approach. Closing date for applications: Wednesday 9 June 2010. Interviews 21 June at Friends House. For more information and an informal discussion, contact Richard Summers on 0207 663 1096. If you know someone who may be suitable for this role, please encourage them to apply. For an application pack, please see: www.quaker.org.uk/jobs Or e-mail [email protected] Human Resources Dept. Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ

Free with every The future of the Religious new subscription! Society of Friends in Britain The much awaited publication of the winning prize essays has now arrived. This new, 92 page issue of Friends Quarterly with full colour cover and colour illustrations is being offered FREE with all new subscriptions to Friends Quarterly. At just £19 a year (UK) or £21 (overseas) this is extemely good value. Single copies also available at £5 + 50p p&p each. This issue is an exceptional addition to current Quaker thinking and deserves to be widely read. We hope Friends and Attenders will take this oppportunity to become subscribers and enjoy a wealth of interesting and inspiring reading in the year ahead. “The essays have the potential to be of great value to the Religious Society of Friends in Britain and beyond.”

The Friends Quarterly “The future of the Religious Society of Friends in Britain” FREE with a new annual subscription: £19 UK £21 overseas Or ...... copies at £5+50p p&p a copy. Cheque enclosed payable to The Friend for £...... Card payments: 020 7663 1178. Name...... Address...... Postcode...... Email...... Return to: Penny Dunn, The Friend & Friends Quarterly, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. To benefit from this offer you must use this form or telephone. Not valid for renewals. Offer expires 30 June 2010.

the Friend, 14 May 2010 15 Eyewitness [email protected]

The beauty of simplicity Record-equaller

Mike Glover tells Eye that Huddersfield Meeting can equal Guildford in the candidate stakes (Eye, 7 May) as Elisabeth Wilson stood as the Liberal Democrats candidate for Halifax and Paul Cooney stood as Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidate for Huddersfield. A cheery song European and Middle East Young Friends went the extra mile to make sure that their Spring gathering epistle was heard widely – they Rachel Carmichael in the garden. Photo: David Carmichael. recorded themselves singing it! Visit http:// tinyurl.com/emeyf10 to read and hear it. A silver medal garden at this year’s Malvern Spring Gardening Show proved that Quaker outreach can be created by beautiful colour, elegant form and subtle Ashgrove memories fragrance! Our 30 April cover reminded Barbara Crawford The ‘Quaker Meeting Place Garden’ was designed of visiting Ashgrove in 2000 and of a visit by Matthew Jackman and attracted a lot of favourable organised by Poole overseers on the afternoon of attention among the 90,000 visits to the show. Saturday 19 September, 1981 to scatter the ashes Peter Fishpool of Cotteridge Meeting told Eye: of Claude Fudge as he had wished. This is what ‘Most readers of the Friend would have no difficulty in she wrote at the time: recognising the garden’s Quakerliness with its quiet circle slightly screened by silver birches. Around the centre there At Ashgrove Burial Ground were four stone seats and a metal sculpture – as if a person was standing ministering.’ Slipping down the grass of a steep hill; And Leicester Friend Rachel Carmichael said: ‘Visitors glimpsing a hare in flight ahead; to the show were able to vote for their favourite show seeing a rabbit, dying of a bird bite, garden, so it was fun to encourage those who clearly loved on the turf; the garden to be sure to register their vote – it was the poring over a badger sett behind tall weeds; day after the general election after all. We explained that while others wound through the great trees Quakers don’t vote in their Business Meetings, but it was of Cranborne Chase, important to use their vote for this garden!’ we came to the combe. Matthew’s garden also featured in the BBC television programme, Gardeners’ World. The gate was closed by nettles Eye learns that Friends at Malvern Meeting have And the elders climbed barbed wire arranged for the garden to be relocated to a local youth To chop a path to the stone: centre. ‘This land was given in 1700 for a Quaker burial ground.’

Read all about it We stood then, quiet for Claude, Quaker Homeless Action’s mobile library was also An old man and a baby winning awards last weekend. The occasion was the And the rest of us Branch and Mobile Libraries Group of the Chartered Who knew the tall kind carpenter. Institute of Library and Information Professionals One by one we scattered his ashes annual ‘MobileMeet’. The Quaker library won an award Like seed on the ground for ‘making best use of resources’ and one of their For the elderberries and the bees. volunteers, John, was highly commended for being an excellent member of staff. John couldn’t be at the event ‘Because I have loved this life, as he was in hospital. Eye wishes him a speedy recovery. I know I shall love death as well.’

16 the Friend, 14 May 2010 Ad pages 14 May 10/5/10 19:44 Page 3

Friends&Meetings CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY Deaths AND THE MYSTICAL TRADITION New Jordans Programme Day May Trescowdrick ROBERTS Retreat with Harvey Gillman at 4 May. Peacefully. Member of Selly Jordans Meeting House 10-4pm, Oak Meeting. Aged 101. Funeral at Friday 4 June. Contact NJP Assistant Lodge Hill Crematorium 10am, Cáit Gould: [email protected] Friday 14 May. Enquiries or 01494 876594 for further details. SARUM 0121 477 7550. SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS TO COLLEGE Memorial meetings CLIMATE SAFETY Saturday 22 May, 11am–5pm. Operation Noah, Study at Day of discussion and reflection. Frances COURT A Memorial All welcome. Speakers from 2pm: Sarum College meeting to celebrate Frances’s life Michael Northcott, Mary Grey and in Salisbury’s will be held at 1pm, Saturday 29 May Paul Bodenham. Friends House, at Newcastle upon Tyne FMH, Euston Road. Booking/enquiries: Cathedral Close 1 Archbold Terrace, Jesmond, [email protected] NE2 1DB. Lunch afterwards. 020 7324 4761. MA degree programmes in Enquiries 0191 285 1682. THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO KILL • Christian Spirituality Changes of address A ceremony to mark International • Christian Liturgy Conscientious Objectors Day, noon • Theology, Imagination Saturday 15 May. CO Stone, and Culture SESSIONS BOOK TRUST can now Tavistock Square, Bloomsbury, be contacted via: Horst Meyer, London WC1. Everybody welcome. Ideal for mature, busy Quacks Books, 7 Grape Lane, students. Petergate, York YO1 7HU. Tel. 01904 635967. Fax: 01904 637274. Programmes delivered via Email: [email protected] The Friend and Friends Quarterly at intensive modules and guided home study. Diary Yearly Meeting Optional modules open to all. Friends Quarterly Essay Competition What excited the judges A DAY GATHERING for Friends 12.30pm Saturday 29 May, Room 20 Validated by the at Kettering Meeting House on Sat. Followed by prize giving and book University of Winchester 22 May with Friend Thomas Swain signing in the Quaker Centre 1.15pm. of Philadelphia. A day of Worship, Fellowship and Ministry. Contact Head to head; Heart to heart; For more information Phil Petty on 07764 836005 for details. Editing the Friend 12.30pm Sunday 30 May, Drayton phone 01722 424827 Room, Friends House. New editor www.sarum.ac.uk/ A QUAKER APPROACH TO Ian Kirk-Smith and recently retired ma-degree-programmes INVESTMENT and the right use of Judy Kirby interview each other. money. Talk and book signing. Robert Howell, 1.30-2.30pm, Monday 17 May in the Quaker Centre, Friends Notices on this page House. Registration free but essential: www.quaker.org.uk/qpswday Notices should preferably be prepaid. Personal entries (births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, changes of address, etc.) £16.35 incl. vat. Meeting and charity Details 020 7663 1030/1031. notices (changes of clerk, new wardens, alterations to meeting, diary, etc.) £13.91 zero rated for vat. Max. 35 words. 3 Diary or Meeting up entries £37 FRIENDS OF HLEKWENI (£31.48); 6 entries £65 (£55.32). Add £1.70 for a copy of the issue with your Yearly Business Meeting notice. Cheques payable to The Friend. Saturday 15 May 2010, 10.30 for Entries are accepted at the editor’s discretion in a standard house style. A gentle 11.00 through shared lunch, at discipline will be exerted to maintain a simplicity of style and wording which Milton Keynes FMH. Newsletter, excludes terms of endearment and words of tribute. Deadline usually Monday am. more details: [email protected] The Friend, 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL All welcome. Tel. 01535 630230. Email: [email protected]

the Friend, 14 May 2010 17 Ad pages 14 May 10/5/10 19:44 Page 4

Classified advertisements 54a Main St, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL T&F: 01535 630230 E: [email protected] Focus on Swaledale and Wensleydale. SELF-CATERING HOLIDAYS where to stay Come and visit us! GUESTHOUSES, HOTELS, B&BS COTSWOLDS. Spacious barn conversion in Charlbury near Woodstock. Sleeps 2+. ARKENGARTHDALE. Two delightful Wood burner. Lovely walking. 01608 17th Century character houses. Exquisite FOXWOOD, ISLE OF SKYE. Inspirational 811558. [email protected]. setting amid mountains, sea, islands. views. Peace and quiet. All modcons. Delightful accommodation. Sauna, jacuzzi Sleep eight and nine. 01748 884272. bath, therapies, special diets. B&B £30. GARDEN COTTAGE, CORNWALL. Email: [email protected] www.scotland-info.co.uk/foxwood Beautiful 2 person cob cottage by listed www.therigg.yorks.net 01470 572331. farmhouse within 2 acre walled garden. Superb walks. Meditation studio. Beach nearby. 01326 221339 or see BEAUTIFUL B&B IN HERRIOT COUNTRY. GLASGOW FRIENDS B&B. For Meeting www.build-art.co.uk/caervallackgarden.html Sympathetically converted Methodist House funds. £15pppn, discounts children. church. Ian and Betsy 01969 650180. 01505 842380. [email protected] www.bottomchapel.co.uk LINCOLN, DUNHOLME. Charming cottage, sleeps 2, fully equipped. £165 - £195. 01673 860134. SWALEDALE WOOLLENS. Beautifully ISLE OF MULL, STAFFA HOUSE offers Handknitted, Crochet and Handframed warm welcome. Spacious, comfortable sweaters, cardigans, hats, gloves, B&B. Views of Iona and Ben More. Solar PENZANCE. Simple, cosy town cottage. scarves in local wool. Muker, hot water. Delicious meals, local/organic Sleeps 3. Ideal holiday base if you are Richmond, DL11 6QG. 01748 886251. products. Vegetarians most welcome. leaving the car at home! 01736 330726. www.swaledalewoollens.co.uk 01681 700677. www.staffahouse.co.uk

REMOTE, BEAUTIFUL FAMILY HOME, SWALEDALE, YORKSHIRE. Superb KENDAL, CUMBRIA. Ardrig vegetarian Aberystwyth, July/August, £560pcm. selection of gorgeous cottages amid B&B. Quiet, friendly home. Views. Proceeds to QPNWA. 01970 880377. stunning scenery. Details, photos, Ensuites. Parking. 01539 736879. virtual tours: www.catholecottages.com www.ardrigvegetarian.com 01748 886366. SNOWDONIA. Lovely cottage, sleeps 4. Wonderful village location with shop, pub, put all your river walks, ancient church. On Conwy THORNTON LODGE, NEAR AYSGARTH Stay in touch - Valley train line. From £245pw inclusive. and Bainbridge in Wensleydale. 5 star family notices in the Friend! One dog welcome. 01902 335618. gold B&B offering dinner by arrange- ment in a tranquil setting. Rooms £35-£55pppn. Tel 01969 663375. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT ORDER FORM www.thorntonlodgenorthyorkshire.co.uk Do not use this form for Births, Marriages & Deaths - see p. 17 Classified advertisements should be prepaid and a minimum of 12 words long. SOMERSET, 6 BERTH CARAVAN, small Send to The Friend, Advertisement Dept, 54a Main Street, Cononley friendly site near Watchet. 07792 357604. Keighley BD20 8LL Tel/fax 01535 630 230 Email [email protected] www.somersetholidaycaravan.co.uk [email protected] Please enter my advertisement in The Friend times, under the heading, starting with issue dated SWARTHMOOR HALL QUAKER CENTRE I want it to appear: weekly fortnightly monthly on specified In 1652 Country. Flexible quality self- catering accommodation for individuals, dates attached families, groups. B&B. Retreats. Pilgrimages. Irequire a box number: Yes No Box number £2 extra per entry. Holidays. Historic tours. Open all year. 01229 583204. [email protected] I also want it published on The Friend website at an extra £1 per weekly entry www.swarthmoorhall.co.uk I enclose £...... Please make cheques payable to The Friend WEST CORNWALL STUDIO FLAT Please use BLOCK CAPITALS. Sleeps 2. Near Prussia Cove, St. Michael’s Mount, coastal walks, beaches. 01736 799170. [email protected]

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18 the Friend, 14 May 2010 Ad pages 14 May 10/5/10 19:44 Page 5

Friends Quarterly Prize winning essays, see p.15!

UMBRIA, GUBBIO. Small, friendly farmhouse on our farm, beautiful wooded events A QUAKER BASE IN hills, sleeps four. €300pw. Etain and CENTRAL LONDON Martin. [email protected] Central, quiet location, 23rd Annual Conference convenient for Friends House, of the Sea of Faith Network British Museum and transport. for sale & to let Leicester University Comfortable rooms tastefully 27 - 29 July 2010 furnished, many en-suite. TAUNTON. Bright, airy, two-bedroomed RELIGION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Full English breakfast. flat in 'Beech Court', an attractive retire- Discount for Sufferings and KUMI NAIDOO ment development in central Taunton, Club members. Executive Director of 4 minutes walk from lively Meeting. Guide Greenpeace International 21 Bedford Place price: c.£170,000. For details, please MARYAM NAMAZIE London WC1B 5JJ contact www.retirementhomesearch.co.uk Rights activist, commentator Tel. 020 7636 4718 (0845 880 5560). and broadcaster [email protected]

JULIAN BAGGINI The Penn Club www.pennclub.co.uk Philosopher and Journalist accommodation Further details and booking forms WANTED available from: Sea of Faith Conference 10 Brindle Close LONDON STUDENT, within half hour Southampton SO16 3PJ cycle of Heythrop College, Kensington. [email protected] Chris Stapenhurst: 01224 723947, or www.sofn.org.uk [email protected] personal miscellaneous

BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE Free JOIN THE CONVERSATION accommodation in suburban house from mid-August to end November in return Online Quaker discussion for looking after 3 cats. For details contact happens every day at John or Kelitha at [email protected] or www.quaker.org.uk/forum telephone 00 263 9 230048. It’s free, supportive and Friendly.

HELPING YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Counsellor with Quaker background PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANCY offers weekly sessions in London Bridge &TAXATION SERVICE or Golders Green. Highly qualified, Quaker Accountant offers friendly experience with all ages. Call to discuss service countrywide. your needs 07594 800399. Self-assessment & small businesses. www.erikaklemperer.com Richard Platt, Grainger & Platt Chartered Certified Accountants NEED LIVE-IN HELP? Companiable, 3 Fisher Street, Carlisle CA3 8RR Quaker-friendly professional woman, Telephone 01228 521286 mid-50s, offering a few hours cleaning/ [email protected] cooking/gardening in exchange for free www.grainger-platt.co.uk accommodation/low rent in Birmingham area. 0121 449 8045. QUAKER LESBIAN & GAY FELLOWSHIP A welcoming, supportive national net- QUIET TIME IN SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT work with local groups for Ffriends of all Friend (artist/counsellor) offers individual sexualities/identities. Ruth (F), 46 The retreats/spiritual accompaniment. Lovely Avenue, Starbeck, Harrogate HG1 4QD. Oxfordshire farmhouse. £50 pppd. Tel. E-mail: [email protected] 01993 868427.

READ THE SMALL ADS EVERY WEEK! Friends Quarterly Essay Competition What excited the judges TRADITIONAL BRITISH FOLKSONGS 12.30pm Saturday 29 May, Room 20 for Elementary Pianists. Arr. Jack Dobbs. Followed by prize giving and book £6.95 plus postage. Tel. 01608 642025. signing in the Quaker Centre 1.15pm. Email: [email protected] Head to head; Heart to heart; Editing the Friend YOU CAN WALK CHEERFULLY. 12.30pm Sunday 30 May, Drayton See how: www.taylormadeshoes.co.uk Room, Friends House. New editor James Taylor & Son, Bespoke shoemakers, Ian Kirk-Smith and recently retired 4 Paddington Street, (near Baker Street), Judy Kirby interview each other. London W1U 5QE. Tel. 020 7935 4149.

the Friend, 14 May 2010 19 Ad pages 14 May 11/5/10 11:36 Page 6 vol AD. DEPT EDITORIAL 168 54a Main St 173 Euston Road isit the Yorkshirep.18! Cononley London NW1 2BJ

V No Dales, see Keighley BD20 8LL T 020 7663 1010

T 01535 630 230 F 020 7663 11-82 20 E [email protected] the Friend E [email protected] Come to the Quaker Fair On Sunday evening from 6pm at Yearly Meeting The advocacy charity for Don’t miss the Special Interest Groups Fair at Friends older vegetarians and vegans Can we help you with our: House. Over 50 Quaker groups will have displays. • Catering Guide In our Soapbox Corner you can hear about some of their work. • Healthy-living Handbook The central courtyard will have stalls of delicious food and space • UK List of care homes • Charitable grants from The to relax, and the Quaker Centre will host live entertainment. Vegan Fund or The Vegetarian It’s free, open to all from 6pm on Sunday 30 May and will be rounded Fund to help with independent off with an epilogue (reflective closing to the day) at around 9pm. living, respite care or similar? See: www.vegetarianforlife.org.uk Full Yearly Meeting programme at: www.quaker.org.uk/ym Or phone: 0151 608 1595.

Quaker Theatre Company

Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) provides protection by presence, supports Israeli and Palestinian peace activists and advocates for an end to the occupation. Ecumenical Accompaniers Based: West Bank and Israel Quaker Theatre Company presents 18 vacancies for 3 months' service 'The Word' 2 vacancies for 4.5 months' service by Kaj Munk. Living allowance + benefits Touring Meeting Houses Deadline for applications: 17 June 2010 5 - 23 October. For more information and to download an application pack In a world of science and please check our website: www.quaker.org.uk/applyeappi logic what place has faith in our daily lives? To host a performance at (Please note that we your Meeting please see: will not be sending quakertheatrecompany.co.uk hard copies of the Tel. 01751 474043. application pack.)