10 August 2018 £2.00 thediscover the contemporaryFriend quaker way

Cycling for the common good the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843

Contents VOL 176 NO 32

3 Thought for the Week: Cyclists arrrive Beauty and the predator Derek Guiton 4-5 News 6 Peace Hub Peter Doubtfire 7 Something to celebrate: Marjorie Lazaro 8-9 Letters Photo: Isaac Peat. 10-11 Quakers, crime and the The Quaker cyclists giving Marian Liebmann witness to their concern about ‘the 12 What is a friend? dismantling of the welfare state’ Margaret Roy arrived at 10 Downing Street on 3 August. 13 The heartbeat of time Those taking part in the ‘Ride Bernard Coote for Equality and the Common Good’ successfully completed the 14-15 diary: Marjorie Farquarson 360-mile journey, carrying their Alastair Hulbert Declaration, together with the stories on postcards of some of 16 Poem: those affected by welfare cuts. In Quaker Meeting The Ride for the Common Lesley Morris Good began at Swarthmoor Hall in Cumbria on 22 July. 17 Friends & Meetings

Cover image: Photo: Jenny Tyldesley. See page 2

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2 the Friend, 10 August 2018 Thought for the Week

Beauty and the predator

What immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

hatever answer William Blake might have given to this question (he doesn’t actually provide one), posed in the last verse of his poem ‘The Tyger’, the answer many would give today is natural selection. In Meeting for Worship Wrecently someone ministered on the subject of house martins: how wonderful the symmetry, beauty and energy of their flight!

The message was not that the house martin is a terrifying, natural born killer, snapping up with speed and efficiency the exquisitely organised life-forms we call insects, but that its beauty is uplifting in a way that somehow excludes this disturbing thought. We see the bird as we might see the herb-eating gazelle: graceful, delicate and as evidence of ‘something beyond us’ – a beauty in nature that lifts us out of the everyday world because, perhaps, it is meant to.

Was this side-stepping of natural selection a kind of naive self-indulgence, as inadmissible in its way as the idea of ‘intelligent design’ so beloved of American fundamentalists? I can’t think that it was. We humans are planetary matter that has constructed a form by which the blind, unfeeling universe can see, know and understand itself. We are the product of a long process of change in the universe that goes back to the Big Bang theory. We cannot be certain that we are ‘meant’ to be here, but these are astonishing processes.

If the Big Bang really is how things got started (leaving aside string theory and the multiverse), our very humanity, including our need for love, beauty and transcendence, is predicated in that tiny particle, smaller than an atom, impossible to define, from which, the scientists tell us, our present universe exfoliated in the first instant of time. Perhaps, through us and through the rest of the evolved animal world, the universe itself is moving towards new forms of transcendence that may ultimately reconcile the ‘fearful symmetry’ of the tiger with the ‘graceful symmetry’ of the gazelle.

A little whimsical, you may think, and not quite answering William Blake’s question, but enough, at least, to accept the offering of a Friend who ministered movingly on the aerial acrobatics of a transcendently beautiful and perfectly designed predator.

Derek Guiton Doncaster Meeting

the Friend, 10 August 2018 3 News Ireland premiere for ‘eco film’

A Quaker ‘eco-film’ in which Irish Friends talk about their sustainability testimonies premiered last month at Ireland Yearly Meeting. Quakers: The Spiritual Journey of Earthcare, which was created from almost two dozen contributions, was shown at the gathering on 19 July in Limerick. Since then the film has been uploaded to the newly- created Irish Quakers YouTube Channel, as well as the Quakers Ireland Facebook page, where it was viewed

more than 2,500 times in the first week. Photo courtesy of Brían Ó Súilleabháin. The video has also been shared by the Friends World A still taken from the film made by Irish Friends: Committee for Consultation (FWCC), as well as its Quakers: The Spiritual Journey of Earthcare. Europe & Middle East Section (FWCC-EMES), the Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) and The ‘In total, I had nearly an hour’s worth of footage… Irish Times. filled with insightful views and touching concerns on Brían Ó Súilleabháin, who edited the film, told the the spiritual aspects of sustainability. I am truly thankful Friend: ‘The enthusiasm the film received from the to everyone who submitted a video for the project.’ beginning was extremely strong. By the beginning Brían Ó Súilleabháin said that not every minute of of June I had received submissions from Friends of the footage could be used due to editing constraints. different ages and backgrounds from all over Ireland. The film is now ‘an easy-to-watch’ seven minutes. QCA targets greyhound racing industry over cruelty issue Quaker Concern for members in their concerns. Jo greyhound ‘Magic’, a rescued Animals (QCA) has Hill is very active with Greyhound racer from Nottingham track, as announced a new partnership Compassion and their overseas ‘a fun and effective way of raising with the organisation Greyhound affiliate, Scooby, so we wanted to awareness of abuse in the racing Compassion in a bid to raise bolster her personal demonstration industry’. awareness over the issue of cruelty of faith in action by using QCA’s QCA is also planning a ‘briefing’ in the greyhound racing industry. media resources to publicise their leaflet on greyhound exploitation to Thom Bonneville, from QCA, work.’ download from their website, which told the Friend: ‘We are always The partnership will report on Friends can post at their Local looking for ways to support our events featuring the organisation’s Meetings or hand out at tracks. ‘Quaker Quicks’: the first book is out now Hiroshima Day The first volume in a new Centre inFriends House on 11 series of books about Quakerism October. has just been published. The other five books under Quaker Roots and Branches contract, which are about 20,000 by John Lampen is part of the words each, include: What do new ‘Quaker Quicks’ series by Quakers Believe? by Geoffrey Christian Alternative, an imprint Durham, Why I am a pacifist by of John Hunt Publishing. Six Tim Gee, The Guided Life by Craig books have been commissioned Barnett, Money and Soul by Pamela so far. Haines and Telling the Truth about Museum. Photo: Peace John Hunt said the series was God by Rhiannon Grant. Many Quakers across Britain devised because: ‘Quakers have Jennifer Kavanagh told the took part in vigils and other something important to say, Friend that she is working on a events, such as an exhibition put particularly at the moment.’ book for the series, called Practical on by Bradford Friends, on 6 The series and the first book Mystics, but has not yet submitted August, as part of Hiroshima Day will be launched at the Quaker it to the publishers. commemorations.

4 the Friend, 10 August 2018 reported by Rebecca Hardy [email protected] Addiction and recovery are explored at QAAD conference Friends struggling with and ‘interested Friends’. supportive when a Friend discloses addiction do not always feel fully Alison Mather, director of their own, or a close other’s, supported by their Local Meetings, QAAD, told the Friend: ‘Our addiction. it was reported at the Quaker conferences always aim to ‘Some recalled being met with Action on Alcohol and Drugs provide a safe, spiritual space for denial, embarrassment or an (QAAD) conference last month. Friends to explore and share their unwillingness to discuss it. Forty Friends attended QAAD’s experiences of addiction, together ‘QAAD will continue its biennial conference, ‘Signposts with reflections on future sources work to increase awareness and for the Soul – pathways through of hope and support. We were understanding amongst Friends, addiction’, at Woodbrooke, which delighted that so many Friends and would be pleased to receive explored the impact of addiction joined us this year.’ contact from Local Meetings to substances and gambling, as This year, QAAD’s ‘Open Space’ looking for further support and well as ‘sources of new hope and enabled participants to create their information.’ direction’. own agenda. One Friend who attended the Participants at the event Alison Mather said: ‘Twenty event said: ‘It is the only event included those in recovery, “conversations” resulted. One of the where Quakers in recovery and together with family and friends messages to emerge was that not those with family who are addicted of addicts, as well as professionals all Local Meetings are receptive or can come together to share.’ Friends Library marks 300th anniversary of William Penn’s death The Library of the Society of Friends marked are items such as a china set with William Penn’s face the 300th anniversary of William Penn’s death on on it’. 30 July by posting a story on its online blog ‘Quaker Some of the other material mentioned in the blog Strongrooms’ listing some of the ‘curios’ they have includes letters from William Penn. One example, regarding his life. ‘dated 13th of 11th month 1690’ (13 January 1691, The story, ‘William Penn: commemorations and in the modern calendar), is a letter from him to curios’, was published on 19 July. Margaret Fox, formerly Margaret Fell, telling her of The Library has also written a new guide telling the death of her husband, George Fox. people how they can find out more about William There are also representations in wood, silk and Penn through the library’s collection. Friends can china of the treaty William Penn is thought to have download the guide from their website. agreed with the Native Americans in 1683 when Libby Adams, head of Library & Archives at Friends establishing Pennsylvania. House in London, told the Friend that some of the The blog posting says that William Penn ‘has a objects and letters mentioned are un-catalogued. As complex legacy, however, which continues to be well as archives and published material, she said: ‘there considered and reassessed today’. Berkhamsted celebration Ada Salter Garden Friends from Berkhamsted Meeting were An Ada Salter Garden is to open on 11 August interviewed on local radio about the 200th anniversary in Raunds, Northamptonshire. of their Meeting house. Graham Taylor, author of the 2016 book Ada Salter: Margaret Whiting and Alison Henderson talked Pioneer of Ethical Socialism, said: ‘This is the first time to BBC Three Counties Radio on 28 July about that Raunds has honoured its most famous personage, Quakerism and their reasons for attending Meeting. Ada Brown, who left the town at the age of thirty.’ Berkhamsted Meeting House celebrated its 200th He said: ‘A group of Raunds residents came to anniversary last month. The present Meeting house London by coach in 2016 for Bermondsey’s Ada Salter was opened in 1818. Day – and now the mayor of Raunds has returned the (See page 7 for report.) invitation.’

the Friend, 10 August 2018 5 Peace

Peace Hub

Peter Doubtfire describes the work of the centre in Birmingham

o you do dry-cleaning?’ Of all the questions We also offered tips on staying mentally healthy: an we’d anticipated when starting up a Quaker interactive ‘wheel of wellbeing’ placed on our front peace and justice centre, this was not on the step proved popular with passers-by. Collaborating ‘Dlist, but it came up surprisingly often. with our sister organisation Peacemakers brought groups of school children to the Peace Hub to develop Peace Hub is a café-style space that helps the public skills in supporting each other’s mental wellbeing. find out about different aspects of peace and justice, Flowers and herbs planted by the children during and takes action. Based in a shop-front in Birmingham their visit have brought cheer to staff, volunteers and city centre (formerly occupied by Johnson’s dry visitors alike. cleaners) it took the locals a little while to get used to our presence. Nearly four years on, we’re becoming an Those visitors include a mixture of people who established part of this corner of ‘Brum’. are already interested in peace and justice, alongside passers-by who ask ‘what’s this all about then?’ We don’t Our current theme is ‘A Place to Call Home’, all mind how you arrive on our doorstep – we’re here to about housing and homelessness. The number of welcome you into a growing community of people who people rough-sleeping is deeply troubling and had care, and are willing to take action. often come up in conversations at the Hub. As with all our themes, we’re taking an issue that people feel We also have visits from people who have fallen overwhelmed by and breaking it down into simple through society’s cracks, and do our best to signpost actions. them to services that can give practical help, as well as offering a cup of tea and a listening ear ourselves. Drawing on the work of organisations with expertise in this field (in particular the Big Issue and Shelter) We’re proud to be a Quaker organisation, and want we’re presenting the public with personal stories of to let people know that Peace Hub is rooted in the people affected by homelessness. testimonies and putting our faith into practise, but it’s not always easy to do this whilst making clear that Chatting over a cup of tea, we can gently introduce we’re open to everyone. Indeed, our biggest challenge some of the underlying problems around housing, is to let people know at a glance that the Hub is a and offer people an immediate action they can take: space where they will be welcomed and listened to, not supporting the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) told what to think. In our individualistic consumer Bill currently being considered by MPs. Information society, many assume that charities are about the on volunteering with local homeless charities is also ‘worthy’ giving to the ‘needy’. available. The idea that this is collaboration where we can all Each of our two-month themes comes under the play our part is tricky to communicate in a distraction- umbrella of ‘peace and justice’ and the connection filled world, but it’s a worthwhile message, and one between ‘A Place to Call Home’ and our last theme all that we’ll keep sharing. We may not be able to dry- about mental health and wellbeing couldn’t be clearer. clean your clothes, but we will help you become part In ‘Speak, Listen, Change’ we shared stories aimed at of a compassionate community. So, why not pop in, breaking down stigma, and called for improvements to get a cuppa and make a difference? the welfare assessments that people with mental health problems have to go through. Peter is coordinator of the Peace Hub.

the , 10 August 2018 6 Friend Quaker life

Something to celebrate

Marjorie Lazaro writes about 200 years of Berkhamsted Meeting n the front wall of our Meeting House in cream teas were served; local radio turned up and Berkhamsted is the lettering: 1818. Not the asked questions; and everybody talked to everybody. date when Friends were first active in the In the evening a select audience enjoyed a two- Odistrict, but the year when they had a home. This was, person performance by the Quaker theatre company we thought, something to celebrate. Journeymen Theatre. They presented The Bundle, a As a small Local Meeting – part of and play based on the true story of a woman migrant from Leighton Area Meeting – we knew that we should not Chechnya and her struggles to survive the rigours be over-ambitious, so we planned a single weekend of of life in her place of birth and then the ‘hostile events followed by the planting of an apple tree in the environment’ created by our own government. autumn: Lane’s Prince Albert, a variety developed by A bundle of leaflets from the Quaker Asylum and a local Quaker. There would be an Open House on 7 Refugee Network (QARN) were on our seats. These July, followed by a play in the evening. On Sunday 8 contained answers to questions around ‘But what can July we would have a shortened Meeting for Worship we do?’ and put out a challenge to all of us. Perhaps followed by a Question and Answer session designed our Meeting will find a way to help. for newcomers and enquirers, with a shared lunch to We cleared the decks for Meeting for Worship follow. on Sunday with no idea who would attend, or how The local press showed an interest in writing about many. In a heart-warming moment, visitors from Quakerism and printed a full page about the Meeting neighbouring Meeting began to (Berkhamsted Gazette, 4 July), prefacing it with the pour in, until we wondered how many (or few) would words: ‘One of Britain’s best-known but least well be left at Hemel to hold their own Meeting. It was understood religious communities will celebrate 200 unusual and delightful to be so well supported. years in Berkhamsted this weekend.’ Newcomers were fewer in number and much On Saturday morning visitors began to arrive and quieter, but we felt that there were individuals there there was a constant flow of people until four o’clock, with a genuine interest, and hope that we shall see when we took a break. Attracted perhaps by the more of them in the future. There was a half hour of banners and home-made bunting – not red, white worship, with a short, seated discussion to follow. I and blue – there were some who came in because think that more questions were raised privately over ‘we’ve always wondered what this is like inside’. There lunch, which was well attended, and where iced drinks were hirers of the rooms, who were invited to mount were much appreciated in the intense heat. displays in the main meeting room – the Cardmakers, Earlier, answering the question ‘What is special the Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society, about Quakerism?’ one respondent said that given the History of Art group, and the Drawing Group. that most people are in favour of peace and humanity Perhaps best of all, small reunions went on between anyway it was the combination of community, present Friends and those from the past who made spirituality and activism through which such values journeys to join us. The room was buzzing. There were are expressed that drew her to it. posters, a Quaker bookstall and other printed material The bicentenary event had embodied these three from Friends House, plus our own publication The elements: our communal work of bringing the Story of a Meeting: Quakers in Berkhamsted 1650 to weekend together, the play informing and moving the 2000 by previous member June Ward; the newly- audience towards action, and the shared silence of the elected mayor came and cut a cake with an edible Meeting for Worship. picture of the Meeting house miraculously embedded in the icing; Quaker songs issued from a CD player; Marjorie is from Berkhamsted Meeting.

the Friend, 10 August 2018 7 Letters All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend

On the QT However, that is a bit (just a bit) like arguing over We recently spent two fascinating weeks as volunteer whether the gravitational force I experience every day stewards at the Quaker Tapestry (QT) in Kendal. We is the result of a Being holding me down, or whether had noted the appeal for volunteers in the Friend and there is no such being. decided to apply. This procedure was very simple, Jeanne Warren mostly online, and provided all we needed to know. Oxford Meeting, Oxfordshire Our first day there began with time to explore the tapestry ourselves in order to better help visitors Thanks to Sheila Semple for her excellent and to get the most from it. There followed training encouraging response to the passage in God, words on managing the till, admissions, the audio guide and us that claims there is ‘no evidence in experience and other aspects of the exhibition. This was all or science’ for a creator god who ‘intervenes… as an brilliantly delivered by Izzy and other members of the external agent’ and makes the bold (and scientifically permanent QT team. dubious) statement that the claims of ‘theism’ are not There was a steady stream of visitors every day, true! Friends and non-Quakers from across continents. As Sheila says: ‘The experience of thousands of Meeting them and introducing them to the tapestries millions of individuals… cannot be discounted so was a pleasure and a privilege. easily.’ It seems odd to me that Quakers should do We ourselves, as relatively new Friends, learned so exactly that (whatever our own personal experience, much more about our Quaker movement, its history, or lack of it) when we consider that it is just such an prominent Friends and entrepreneurs, and their experience that led to the formation of the Religious impact on the social fabric of our country and others. Society of Friends in the first place. Like most guests, we were amazed at the intricacy George Fox said: ‘… a great cloud came over me and of the tapestries, and the amazing vision and a temptation beset me… And it was said, “All things commitment of Anne Wynn-Wilson and the 4,000 come by nature”… But... as I sat still… a living hope people who had an input into the project. arose in me and a true voice which said, “There is a This is an experience we heartily commend to living God who made all things”. And immediately… anyone and we shall forever be grateful to the QT my heart was glad, and I praised the living God’ team and local volunteers for their support and (Quaker faith & practice 26.02). friendship. Eric Macarthur Kathie and John Morley Castle Douglas Meeting, Scotland Kettering Meeting, Northamptonshire Protest against Donald Trump Evidence and experience I took part in the Donald Trump protest and I I think it would be easier for some Friends to believe understand David Keating’s concerns (27 July). in the God described by Sheila Semple (20 July) than Maybe it is illogical to choose to protest against in ‘a personal being above and beyond the world that Donald Trump’s visit whilst not doing so against the literally created the world and intervenes in its affairs visits of other world leaders with shocking human as an external agent’. rights records. I read Sheila Semple’s article carefully and nowhere On the day, it was my heart that sent me out onto did a picture form in my mind of an entity going about the streets to protest and I’m glad that I went – even its affairs, rather as we do. Instead, what she described though the experience was challenging at times. As was a presence in the world, part of its fabric, which David rightly says, some of the chants and placards she experienced in the first instance as love. were extremely offensive and unpleasant. How good, This reality has been attested to by many, yet many therefore, that Quaker placards carried messages of have not experienced it. That makes dialogue difficult, love, tolerance and unity. but compounding the difficulty by positing an entity Advices & queries asks us to ‘uphold those who are does not advance matters at all. acting under concern, even if their way is not yours’. I When describing the source of an experience of think the fact that we joined together for Meeting for being loved one has to resort to symbolic language. Worship before setting out on the protest helped us to However, that is secondary to the nature of the take to the streets in the right spirit. experience and its implications for our lives. Katey Earle Sheila Semple emphasises that she encountered an and Area Meeting other, a ‘not me’. This is the nub of the matter and leads, in my opinion, to images of a person being I was glad that Friends joined the Donald Trump deployed and argued over. protest and would have liked to be there too.

8 the Friend, 10 August 2018 [email protected]

I agree with David Keating that we have accepted Maybe we should change the name of our organisation other unattractive leaders in the past – however, none to the ‘Religious Society of Finders’. sharing our language and our history has shown such We don’t have to cease seeking. We don’t have to a lack of integrity and such a disregard for truth. How be smug about our discoveries. We do not hold a can we believe what Donald Trump says when he monopoly of truths. But, nevertheless, should we not changes it completely the following day? proclaim to the world what we have found so far – There’s no doubt about his xenophobia, especially perhaps even loudly? concerning Muslims. He excludes transgender Ben Evens people from serving their country. He agrees with Disley Meeting, Cheshire waterboarding and plans to extend the prison at Guantanamo Bay. Recording numbers He has praised far-right people in the UK and Having read the various recent letters and articles on neo-Nazis in the USA. He denies climate change and gender diversity, it occurs to me that it might be time encourages the burning of fossil fuels. Even his own to revise the format of the Tabular Statement. Republicans denounced his cruelty in separating Surely we should now be recording the numbers of families at the Mexican border. There are many members, attenders, and children and young people children not yet reunited with their parents. without mentioning gender at all? There is more, but this is surely enough to say why Daphne Lynas Donald Trump isn’t welcome here? Peterborough Meeting, Cambridgeshire Thelma Percy Chichester Meeting, West Sussex Democracy and discussion Within the United Kingdom many different cultures Kneeling for prayer exist and flourish – demonstrating a diverse society. It I remember that, as the only child in Bentham follows that a variety of views and opinions will exist Meeting in Yorkshire, around 1942, I had no choice throughout the country. but to accompany my parents. If I misbehaved, I would Freedom to express one’s view – provided that get a nudge from my father and I knew I would get a hatred and violence are absent – are basic in a tolerant, telling-off when we got home. democratic society. I passed the time by counting how many ladies The fact that some may be offended by the views of were wearing hats, or in weaving fantasies about my others is no reason to shut down discussion. heroic exploits. Friends who spoke were a welcome ‘No platforming’ has no place in a vigorous, distraction. democratic society. There was a farmer, who seemed terribly old to me, Tom Jackson who had a special style of delivery for speaking in Disley Meeting, Cheshire Meeting – sing-song, with a pause after every phrase. When he prayed, he would kneel on a hassock and the rest of us stood up. I don’t know how we knew to stand up, especially tho se Friends sitting in front of him. Maybe we heard In essentials unity, him start and maybe he paused to give us time to in non-essentials liberty, stand up. Margaret Peacock in all things charity. Milngavie Meeting, Scotland

Finders and Friends The Friend welcomes your views. For more than 350 years Quakers have been seeking. We have been associated with names such as ‘Seekers’, Do keep letters short (maximum 250 words). ‘Seekers of (the) Truth’ and ‘The Religious Society of Friends of the Truth’. Please include your full postal address, even I am sure there are an infinite number of truths when sending emails, and specify whether you waiting to be discovered, but, surely, somewhere along wish for your postal or email address or Meeting name to be used with your name. the way have we not actually had some truths revealed to us? We must have found something. Letters are published at the editor’s discretion So, as well as being ‘Seekers’, are we not ‘Finders’? and may be edited. I note that ‘Friends’ is an anagram of ‘Finders’.

the Friend, 10 August 2018 9 Criminal justice Quakers, crime and the United Nations Photo: Martin Swart / Photo: Martin Swart Wikimedia Commons.

Marian Liebmann gives her thoughts on a productive gathering id you know that Friends World Committee Cybercrime for Consultation (FWCC) has the highest level consultative status at the United Nations sessions This year the Crime Commission met between 14-18 Dthrough the FWCC World Office? This means we have May. There is usually a set theme for the year. Last the right to send a delegation to UN sessions. Every year it was ‘community participation’ and this year year since 1992 FWCC has sent a small delegation to it was ‘cybercrime’. As Quakers we tend to focus on the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention promoting humanitarian practices in criminal justice, and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), which meets every year so ‘cybercrime’ did not have an instant appeal, but for one week in Vienna. it turned out to offer us a useful opportunity. The delegation comprised Kimmett Edgar, Ben Jarman and Every five years there is a larger Congress in a me. different city. In 2020 it will be in Kyoto, Japan. Nick McGeorge and Kimmett Edgar have been the leaders The main sessions include statements from different of this work, and I have been part of the team for ten countries and the passing of resolutions, this year years. The team usually includes mostly Quakers from numbering eleven. Resolutions are sponsored by named the UK (for cost reasons), but occasionally we have a countries and then amended by a process of negotiation North American delegate. in the Committee of the Whole (commonly known as the COW). Sometimes opposing views need to be The Commission is the main policy-making body thrashed out informally outside the main meetings of of the United Nations in the field of crime prevention the COW. Often this process means a watering down and criminal justice. The UN plays an important of a resolution so that dissident countries have less to role globally as a forum in which governments can comply with! For instance, ‘implement’ might be altered cooperate on matters of cross-border interest. The to ‘give consideration to’. CCPCJ also publishes a range of international guidance on best practice, helping to promote humane standards This year’s session was a productive one for FWCC. in criminal justice. There was a restorative justice resolution, which finally

10 the Friend, 10 August 2018 got adopted in a reduced form. It included such There were also side events, mainly organised by statements as: non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which we attended to inform ourselves about matters of interest Encourages member states, where appropriate, to to Quakers. consider facilitating restorative justice processes at relevant stages in the criminal justice process, to the We contributed a side event on ‘A restorative approach extent possible and in accordance with applicable to social media in schools’ (to fit in with the cybercrime law, including by considering applying the basic theme), facilitated by Charlotte Calkin of the Restorative principles on the use of restorative justice programs Engagement Forum. This used a workshop approach, in criminal matters. much appreciated by participants as a more interactive alternative to other events. Further invites member states to assist one another in the exchange of experiences on restorative justice We also attended side events organised by other and in the development and implementation of governments and NGOs, on varied topics, such as research, training or other programmes and activities global prison trends, efforts to abolish the death to stimulate discussion, including through relevant penalty, life imprisonment, mental health in prisons, regional initiatives. non-custodial measures for drug offenders, and the dangers of cyberspace for young people. One might think that governments take no notice of resolutions if they don’t like them, but they do seem to Building relationships count. In 2002 the UN passed a resolution encouraging restorative justice, and the following year many more We also spent time building relationships with other countries reported initiatives in restorative justice. NGO delegations, including Penal Reform International Some of these seemed a bit bizarre, but they had (PRI), who are trying to build a coalition to place new definitely heard the message that restorative justice was international standards for life sentences on the agenda important to implement. of next year’s CCPCJ. These would replace the current guidelines, substantially written by Nick McGeorge, Restorative justice which were adopted by the UN in 1994. PRI presented research at one of their side events that supported the We were also able to make a statement to the plenary case for new guidance, given the growing prevalence of session in support of restorative justice and the life sentences worldwide. resolution. To do this, we needed to draft our statement and send it to the FWCC World Office and the Quaker It is a strange kind of work, and we sometimes wonder United Nations Offices (QUNO) in New York and what effect we have. But a statement we made in 2003 Geneva to get it approved, so that we could speak on on the ‘Plight of Women Prisoners’, to counteract the behalf of FWCC. male bias, resulted in a spate of interest and research on women in prison and their children. This is where email is really essential! Then we had to ask the administration team where it could Kimmett Edgar’s work on the Nelson Mandela Rules fit in the Plenary Session agenda, and be ready to be (the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment called. Afterwards one of the country representatives of Prisoners) has helped to provide a leading document sponsoring the restorative justice resolution commented setting out humane conditions in prison. on it favourably. Here is our concluding paragraph: It is sometimes frustrating to see good resolutions Restorative justice is an inclusive response, which watered down, or nations squabbling over the precise gives voice to the concerns of victims, people who wording of one line, and it can seem to outsiders have offended, and the wider community. It is that progress is painfully slow and sometimes goes adaptable and varied – every culture has within it backwards. However, the small steps forward are wisdom about how to remedy harms that fits with magnified by their international acceptance and, restorative approaches. We commend the expert sometimes, their implementation. group report [which was the basis of the restorative justice resolution] and support the draft resolution It is a privilege to represent Quakers in this work. submitted to this session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Marian is a member of Redland Meeting.

the Friend, 10 August 2018 11 Reflection

What is a friend? Photo: zhrefch / flickr CC. / flickr Photo: zhrefch

Margaret Roy considers what it means to be a friend his is something I have given a lot of thought to talk. The deep silence is a meeting of souls, not minds as a psychotherapist. What makes people happy? (or egos). You are not only accepted for who you are; What are they looking for? the very encounter is a nourishing acknowledgement TA very dear friend broke up with her husband. It of unity. How can you ever be alone on your journey? was not a good relationship for her. When she found You are free to take the risks, to explore and reach out someone else I was a little disturbed. Her need was knowing you are real in the land of the heart, the very not to be alone. Sure enough, many years later, she is core of being. Friends nourish your soul and hold you still with this second husband and she has an anchor steady on your journey. in this world, but she is still not happy. In fact, she has I sometimes feel ‘activists’ are out there trying to dug a very deep trench for herself and, I think, ceased save the world because they are running away from to grow many years ago. the one person who really needs them: their Self. How We all know people like this and have regrets that do our concerns reflect who we are? Are we just a we may not have been there for them, often divided by collection of labels? None of my friends are Quakers! geography or other circumstances. And yet Quakers and the Quaker Way are very close to What is the difference between acquaintances and my heart. What does that tell me? friends? Mainly because of my work, I have hundreds In looking at the depth of relationships, I feel sad of acquaintances. I have a great respect for many and drained at the superficiality that can be described and a fondness for quite a few. They touch different as ‘fun’, or gives rise to the quick fix of the sound bite, parts of my life and I hope they are as enriched in the the stimulus every two or three minutes of modern encounter as I am. Friends touch the soul. ‘entertainment’ – not to mention the video game or I have only a few friends and count myself very today’s television diet of soaps, reality TV, football and lucky. I used to say they were the jewels in my Wimbledon. They say sport was invented to keep the crown! Friends are the companions of your soul. working class tame! What do Quakers succumb to? They are who you are. They never take. There is When we say we do things in community, when we nothing you would not give them, whatever the cost seek ‘deep listening’, do we nourish each other in the or inconvenience. I would not refuse the friend who Spirit? What is the Spirit? How many have experienced needed my help to commit suicide, even though the a ‘gathered Meeting’? When we call ourselves the burden would be awesome in so many ways. ‘Society of Friends’, what do we mean by it? How do It may be years since you last saw a friend (in this we make real our Meetings? geographically dispersed world); yet it is as if there is no gap when you meet up. Often, there is no need for Margaret is from Lanark Meeting in Scotland.

12 the Friend, 10 August 2018 Quaker history

The heartbeat of time

Bernard Coote remembers William Penn illiam Penn will be remembered quietly in young, was a severe blow. The two of them had many countries this year, the tercentenary of chipped away at the dictates and structures that his death on 30 July 1718. confine the spirit. Dogma was but a narrow window W admitting only a narrow shaft of light. They sought a His style and speech give an appearance of another faith that illuminated the whole world, a faith that did age: time past. Remembering, though, is more than not exclude but embraced in love. Love transcends looking back at something lost in time. William Penn time and place. continues with us, significantly. It might be called ‘the heartbeat of time’. This was the vision that carried William Penn to Pennsylvania. It was the heartbeat of his commitment In 2018, to sit in the Meeting house where he to God and all fellow beings. It moved him to learn worshipped, where he made plans with local people the language and customs of the indigenous people, for the ‘holy experiment’ in Pennsylvania, unites past identifying with them. He had taken no weapons for and present. Life is our shared journey, generation his protection, or for the ‘enforcement’ of his plans. with generation, realising the vision and mystery of our being here now, of creation and destiny. In silence, William Penn was insistent that: ‘Force may subdue wherever we are, remembering unites us in time, but love gains’ and: ‘Love is the hardest lesson in recalling the lines of TS Eliot: ‘to arrive where we Christianity, for that reason it should be our utmost started and know the place for the first time’. care to learn it’. This was an ‘embracing’ at the most personal level of ordinary life as much as in the ‘great In his younger days at the Huguenot university in concerns’ of state and constitution. Remembering Saumur, France, William Penn was an eager student William Penn is to be touched by that spirit, drawn then colleague and close friend of the internationally into that heartbeat. It is to know what we are a part honoured and learned scholar Moise Amyraut. The of. young Englishman impressed with his quick mind and excellent French. The two men explored matters In today’s changed world of nations and lifestyles, we of faith, belief, freedom and order in a bitterly divided still live alongside those who have never had a sense Europe after the Reformation. of belonging, of being ‘embraced’ and of having worth. With the Friends who shared his vision, William Penn The question at issue was: ‘What is it to be a held all in the Light. Now, in our remembering, we Christian?’ Later we find in William Penn’s writings: ‘I become the continuation of love and inclusion. Living never had any other religion in my life than what I felt. beyond the visible: that is faith, hope and love. From the age of sixteen I have been a great sufferer for it. I never addicted myself to school learning to It is in the heartbeat of time – joined in the one understand religion by.’ source.

Moise Amyraut was a Huguenot and saw himself God’s time. Our time. as a Christian humanist – a radical philosopher of religion. His death, while William Penn was still Bernard is from Blue Idol Meeting.

the Friend, 10 August 2018 13 Faith in action

Moscow diary

Alastair Hulbert offers a timely reflection on the memories of a Friend in Moscow he year 1991 was a momentous one in the and humanity from many who knew her before her . It led up to the resignation of untimely death in 2016. There is no introduction to president Mikhail Gorbachev and the dissolution the book, but the following note sets her significant Tof the Soviet Union, leaving Boris Yeltsin as president achievement for in Moscow in of the newly independent Russian state. Marjorie the context of her life’s work: Farquharson was an Quaker who set up Amnesty International’s first office in Russia at this Marjorie Farquharson worked in the field of human time. rights and the USSR and post-Soviet States for over 30 years. She was the Amnesty researcher Her Moscow Diary, which was published in 1991, on the USSR at the International Secretariat covers a brief but intense period at the end of the from 1978-1992 and Amnesty International’s cold war: January 24 1991 to March 31 1992. The first representative in the Soviet bloc, worked as daily entries about her life and work establishing an the Director of the EU TACIS project (Technical Information Office for Amnesty International in the Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent Russian capital are detailed and fascinating. States and Georgia), worked in 44 of Russia’s federal regions as a Officer, and helped These world-shaking events, and others further establish a regional ombudsman institution there. afield like the Gulf war, hover in the background of She has been a freelance researcher, writer and Marjorie Farquharson’s diary, but it deals primarily translator since 2001 and worked in all 5 Central with the demands of living as an ordinary Muscovite in Asian States. one room and a kitchen while setting up the Amnesty office in the face of huge bureaucracy. At the same time Her writing flows with a rich choice of words and a she was working in Russia on key Amnesty concerns delicious sense of humour, as these extracts from her such as the death penalty, preparing conferences on diary illustrate: human rights and developing relations with diplomats like the Portuguese ambassador. Beauty and joie de vivre

Then there is her social life and the many close ‘I can’t explain why I find my surroundings so absolutely friendships she made, her shared enjoyment beautiful. I came home in the dark through the glade of Moscow’s concerts, theatre and cinema, and behind the church. The mixture of snow, shadows, and excursions, sometimes lasting several days, to St shapes in their winter clothing was lovely.’ Petersburg, Alma-Ata (Almaty) in Kazakhstan, Tomsk in Siberia, the ancient town of Uglich on the Volga and Scenes from Russian life the monastery of Zagorsk. ‘I got paid for my article in the Journal of Humanitarian Marjorie Farquharson was a Friend whose modesty Sciences with two packets of macaroni, a tin of meat concealed broad international experience, wisdom and some tea.’

14 the Friend, 10 August 2018 ‘I couldn’t get my laundry back because the factory signals – the demonstrations last weekend, the end of had no hot water and it hadn’t been done. It was the Gulf War, the referenda – are mutually reinforcing. another day with precious little to eat. Inflation is over Another wedge is knocked in, I think. My admiration two per cent a week.’ for Muscovites grows. It is very undermining living in this uncertainty, but they are patient and astonishingly ‘In town I queued for a cake, and without any good humoured about it – then when they get a warning two men in the queue suddenly hit each chance they go for change.’ other. It was horrible and immediately put everyone’s nerves on edge. The cake woman bawled me out for ‘It is a very curious thing, but in ten months I haven’t having the wrong change. I felt beaten.’ actually been homesick for the UK once. Britain seems from this distance a strangely closed society that has ‘During the week I made the discovery that all my no sense of direction. When you hear about the last hard currency has been stolen from inside the flat – outburst of riots in Newcastle, you feel the different about £350. I have my suspicions but don’t know how people involved and commenting on it actually have to handle it. Pretty sickening. In the last few months no experience in common at all. Here, although I’ve had my phone tapped, my mail read, received a opinions are massively divided, people are facing the threatening letter, lived through a coup, been robbed, same things: how to cope with the break-up of the summoned to court twice in London and threatened country, how to avert hunger; how to understand their with eviction. Things aren’t looking too bright.’ history’.

Bureaucracy People

‘…It’s like tiptoeing through outbreaks of lunacy.’ ‘Ed asked me if I’m meeting “plain people” and not just the intelligentsia. I’m having no trouble meeting “plain ‘I spent nine hours working on my article about the people”. It seems to me ‘intelligentsia’ is something death penalty, and I noticed I was really involved in it other people should call you, but which some people and mentally wanting to shake the reader by the lapels. here call themselves.’ It seems I’ve reached some sort of level of Soviet reality where I am intensely aware of the irrationality and ‘In the evening I walked down to the hard currency cruelty of life here. Ordinary people are the victims of shop to buy light bulbs for the office. In an underpass it and also a part of it. It is very hard to sort out your that was almost pitch black a small brass ensemble were feelings about things here. But the death penalty is playing Latin American numbers, and an appreciative quite a good issue to try to do so.’ crowd was listening. The band were in their cloth caps and working togs, with big chapped hands, but A lucky escape they had obviously practiced their routines and were extremely good. It was like a scene from the Weimar ‘I had a very lucky escape tonight. On the way home Republic. I felt that wrench of emotions: I love the I heard steps behind me in the snow, turned round place and it also frightens me.’ and saw a man in a blue anorak gaining on me. I then changed my direction and realised he was aiming ‘New Year’s Day, thick snow and a bright blue sky. I for me. We stopped and faced each other out and I met Irena at 10.00am to go and visit Sakharov’s grave screamed. No one came and he started saying, “Go on, in Vostryakovo cemetery… It looked beautiful in louder. That’s better. No one will come. You’ll damage the snow: big wide alleys of trees stretching between your throat.” I screamed five times and each time the jumble of graves, and black-coated figures in the he looked round, then stepped closer. I had my eyes distance, going to pay their respects… Back to Irena’s absolutely fixed on his and eventually said, “Leave me for dinner and to listen to the new jazz tapes I’d got alone”. As I dreaded, he said, “Are you not Russian? from home. We were sitting by candlelight as their Where are you from?” When I told him, he said, bulbs have gone.’ “Excuse me” and walked away. I thought he would have gone for my money too. My throat is sore as I write this.’

Politics Alastair is an attender at Edinburgh Central Meeting.

‘Both Latvia and Estonia voted for independence Moscow Diary by Marjorie Farquharson is published yesterday in their local referenda. I’m sure all these by Troubador at £10.99.

the Friend, 10 August 2018 15 Poem

In Quaker Meeting

this morning I practise sitting still in the top of a tree legs abreeze

I slip my mind breathe the natural order tree inside me me in tree on a branch nearby an old woman winks and continues knitting

the under hum of sap rises through the branches I lean toward the small white flowers

Photo: Julio Ribeiro / flicker cc. Ribeiro / flicker Photo: Julio on the meeting room table

Lesley Morris Witney Meeting

16 the Friend, 10 August 2018 10 Aug 6/8/18 14:30 Page 7

Friends&Meetings Memorial meetings Diary Mental Margaret (Peggy) WADDINGTON DOLOBRAN LATE SUMMER Peggy's funeral meeting for worship GATHERING Sunday 2 September. Health will take place at 12 noon, Monday Bring picnic to eat from 1pm. Meeting 13 August, Oxford Crematorium, for Worship 2.30pm, followed by tea First Aid OX3 9RZ. Family flowers only. Don- provided by Dolobran and Mont- ations welcome in Peggy's memory gomery Friends. Details/directions: Gain knowledge and helping skills. to Barnardo's. Enquiries: 01865 Simon and Sophie 01938 500746, Courses for Quaker Meetings 423966, [email protected] email: [email protected] with experienced practitioner and Friend. Calls for contributions For how to place a notice please email [email protected] [email protected] Ann NICHOLS Pickering and Hull AM welcome contributions towards a Testimony to the Grace of God in Ann's life. Recently of Beverley Quaker communications Meeting (died 30 September 2017), formerly of Leeds, Nottingham and Media training day Reading. Remembered especially as one of the founders of the Quaker Free one-day workshop, Saturday 1 September Tapestry, travelling worldwide to Friends House, Euston. 10.30am to 4.30pm. teach the stitches, enthusing meetings Learn to use the media and social media to share Quaker faith in through her storytelling. action. Sharpen skills in social media to attract new Friends to your Contributions by 31 October 2018 meeting. Find out what journalists need from you. please to Brenda Rigby, [email protected] or Places are limited and booking is essential. 13 Langdale Ave, Beverley HU17 9JN. Please contact: [email protected] Diamond weddings Peter and Ann (née Scruton) Quaker Arts Network TITMAN 9 August 1958 at St Lawrence Church, Bidborough, A day together at Friends House, Euston Kent, now with Winchester LM. Email: [email protected] Saturday 1 September, 10am to 5pm Seeing each others’ faces, sharing experiences, Changes of building our community, AGM and ending with a variety correspondent of performances in music and words. What’s not to like?

SWARTHMOOR LOCAL MEETING Details: www.quakerarts.net or Facebook @quakerarts From 1 August new correspondent: Bill Shaw, 24 Ainslie Street, Ulverston, LA12 7JE. 01229 343638. Email: [email protected] Wardens and Quaker Changes to meeting workers Talking Quaker Life hosts regional gatherings for Quaker workers. They offer LISKEARD LOCAL MEETING employees and volunteers who care for meeting houses a chance to From Sunday 12 August until at meet, share experiences and exchange ideas. The next events are: least Sunday 7 October, our 10.30am · Wednesday, 5 September: Bradford on Avon LM Sunday Meeting for Worship will be · Wednesday, 7 November: Cotteridge LM held in Stuart House, Barras Street, Liskeard PL14 6AB. Enquiries: Events run 10am to 4pm, with a £10 charge including lunch and drinks. [email protected] To book please see www.quaker.org.uk/events, or email 01579 343641. [email protected] We look forward to seeing you!

the Friend, 10 August 2018 17 10 Aug 6/8/18 14:30 Page 8

Classified advertisements George Penaluna, Ad Manager, The Friend, 54a Main St, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL T: 01535 630230 E: [email protected]

A QUAKER BASE IN CHERRY ORCHARDS CENTRAL LONDON CAMPHILL COMMUNITY IMPORTANT Central, quiet location, THE COACH HOUSE, NEAR BRISTOL. convenient for Friends House, Surrounded by fields, gardens The advertisement pages British Museum and transport. and woodland walks. for the 17 and 24 August Comfortable rooms tastefully Self-catering cottage, sleeps 6. furnished, many en-suite. Well-equipped. Sheltered, nurturing issues are now closed. Full English breakfast. space, within a therapeutic and Discount for Sufferings and safe environment. Advertisements for our Club members. Short walk to local amenities, easy public 31 August issue should be 21 Place transport into Bristol. sent to arrive by 24 August. London WC1B 5JJ Our community is alcohol free. Tel. 020 7636 4718 Home-grown organic produce available [email protected] at reasonable cost.

The Penn Club www.pennclub.co.uk Information and bookings: property wanted [email protected] www.cherryorchards.co.uk volunteers LONG TERM LET REQUIRED. Quiet-living Registered charity 275241. couple with no dependents seek secluded rural cottage or bungalow with off-road parking. Email: [email protected] RESIDENT FRIENDS THE DELL HOUSE, MALVERN. Cottage Auckland Aotearoa and apartments. Extensive gardens. Dogs welcome. Suit couples, families and groups Friends couple from 1 April 2019. of up to twenty. www.thedellhouse.co.uk appeals Duties include involvement in the 01684 564448. spiritual and social life of the meeting and running the 4-bed bed & breakfast home. WESTRAY, ORKNEY. Easy access, warm FRIENDS OF HLEKWENI cottage, in the village, by the shore. Registered charity 1126598 Claire: [email protected] for details. Restored with a guest and carer in mind, but magic and relaxing for all. Sandy Peace building in Zimbabwe 01857 677482. www.westmanse.co.uk Please support our partnership work: where to stay • School Peace Clubs with GUESTHOUSES, HOTELS, B&BS RETREATS Mennonites/Brethren in Christ • Alternative to Violence programmes facilitated by Bulawayo Quakers. B&B AT WOODBROOKE, BIRMINGHAM. PERSONAL RETREATS, FRANCE. Make Explore Birmingham and the Midlands space to reflect and be still. Beautiful old Vitally needed in this period of or relax in 10 acres of gardens and farmhouse in rural Auvergne offers transition for Zimbabwe. woodland. Close to Bournville and public supportive, nurturing environment for individual retreats. Simple daily rhythm: Please send cheques/charity vouchers transport. Wonderful library, delicious (payable to) Friends of Hlekweni, meals, Friendly welcome. Great value. meditation; silence; contemplative/artistic Quaker Centre, 1 Oakley Gardens, Book at www.woodbrooke.org.uk or call activities. Walking. Organic vegetarian MK15 9BH 0121 472 5171. food. www.retreathouseauvergne.com Bank details/further information: [email protected] COTTAGES & SELF-CATERING books

A WARM WELCOME AWAITS ‘WE GO DEEP’ Anthology to celebrate notices at Ffos Ddu holiday cottages, Llandeilo, tercentenary of Hemel Hempstead Carmarthenshire. Each cottage sleeps 2. Meeting. Copies available £7 incl. p&p. Set in 28 acres of woodland, meadows [email protected] quoting ARCHITECTURAL OPPORTUNITY and lake. Close to many tourist attractions. ‘Anthology’. Newbury Quakers are now in a position Pets by arrangement. to redesign and refurbish their [email protected] for sale & to let Meeting House. Any interested architects should refer to CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK https://midthamesquakers.org.uk/ Lovely old house, sleeps upto 8. Beautiful BOLTON-LE-SANDS. Lovely little two- opportunity-for-architects walks and RSPB reserve on doorstep. bedroom mid-terrace (1980s-ish) cottage From £700 p/w, £350 p/lw Details: with parking. Village Centre. Excellent Closing date 31 August 2018. www.rathmhor.scot or 0131 447 1627. facilities. Four miles north of Lancaster. £550pcm. Available after renovation SHREWSBURY MEETING HOUSE. Simple 30 September. Enquiries: 01524 823904; miscellaneous accommodation for one or two messages: 07980 850969. Friends/Attenders. No set charge but QUAKER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES appropriate donations requested. Booking Please mention the Friend when- and other bespoke calligraphy. Liz Barrow clerk: [email protected] or tel. 01223 369776, [email protected] 01743 860793. ever you reply to an advertisement. www.lizbarrow.co.uk

18 the Friend, 10 August 2018 10 Aug 6/8/18 14:30 Page 9

Britain Yearly Meeting Personal Assistant to Senior Managers Salary: £32,872 per annum. Contract: Full time, permanent. Hours: 35 per week Location: Friends House, Euston Road, London NW1

Britain Yearly Meeting is the national organisation of Quakers in Britain. We are seeking a motivated Personal/Executive Assistant to support four of our senior managers. Along with the Recording Clerk – the most senior member of staff – these four make up our senior management team. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in a range of activities across the organisation. You will assist the team in its planning, monitoring, drafting of papers and development of administrative systems. We need someone with strong administrative experience to ensure the coordinated and effective support of this team. You must be able to manage a range of tasks and multiple diaries. A keen attention to detail is essential, as well as the ability to work quickly, creatively and accurately under pressure. Quakers follow a way of life that is built upon the principles of truth, equality, peace and simplicity. We have a long-held commitment to putting faith into direct action. You do not need to be a Quaker to fill this role but you would need to be in sympathy with our values. Weekend and evening work is required from time to time, with occasional periods away at events. Closing date: Tuesday 28 August 2018. Interviews: Wednesday 5 September 2018. For further information about Quakers, go to www.quaker.org.uk/about-quakers. For details on how to apply, go to www.quaker.org.uk/jobs Britain Yearly Meeting is committed to equality in all its employment practices.

the Friend, 10 August 2018 19 10 Aug 6/8/18 14:30 Page 10 vol

ADVERTISEMENT DEPT 176 54a Main Street EDITORIAL Cononley, Keighley 173 Euston Road BD20 8LL London NW1 2BJ No

T 01535 630 230 T 020 7663 1010 32 E [email protected] the Friend E [email protected] London Britain Yearly Meeting Quakers Library Assistant Increasing Diversity Salary: £26,923 per annum. Contract: Permanent Hours: 35 pw. Location: Friends House, Euston Road, London NW1 How understanding our Unconscious Biases can help The Library of the Society of Friends is looking for a Library Assistant make a difference to join our team and help provide high-quality customer service. Saturday 8 September You will be based in our public reading room and will be the first point Friends House, 2–4.30pm of contact for visitors to the Library. You will supervise access to our unique collections, respond to enquiries and undertake a range of “We have heard the call to administrative tasks to support the team. You will also participate as examine our own diversity”. part of the team in all Library activities, including events and group YMG 2017 affirmed our commit- visits, which may involve occasional evening and weekend work. You ment to a more diverse Society of will also assist other members of the team in the management of the Friends. London Quakers now collections and the support of volunteers. offers a participative and practical workshop on Unconscious Bias. You will be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including Library users, colleagues, and internal and external stake- Facilitated by Carey Haslam, an holders. You will have a flexible, positive and methodical approach to experienced trainer/facilitator with your work. You will also possess a keen attention to detail and be experience in inclusion, diversity, able to work independently and as part of a small team. mediation and conflict resolution. Register at Eventbrite Closing date: Friday 24 August 2018. (http://bit.ly/LQUnBias). Interviews: Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 September 2018 Donations requested: £0-15. For details of how to apply, go to www.quaker.org.uk/jobs Free childcare. The Quaker For information about the Library see www.quaker.org.uk/library Centre Cafe will be open. Britain Yearly Meeting is committed to equality in all its employment practices.