7 February 2014 £1.70 the discover the contemporaryFriend quaker way the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843

Contents VOL 172 NO 6

3 Thought for the Week: The idea of God G Gordon Steel 4-7 Meeting for Sufferings 8-9 Letters 10-11 Forgiveness on the River Kwai John Lampen 12-13 The curse of history Rosalind Mitchell 14 Experimenting boldly The award-winning Quaker poet Philip Gross read from his James McCarthy acclaimed new collection Later 15 Poem: L’Amor che move il at Friends House on Monday 3 sole e l’altre stelle (Dante) February. During the evening he talked, Tim Brown between reading poems, on some 16 q-eye: a look at the Quaker world of the themes that he had engaged with in the collection. 17 Friends & Meetings He reflected, thoughtfully and tenderly, on his relationship with his father and his response to the final period of his father’s life, his death and beyond.

Cover image: Traintracks over the River Kwai. Photo: eric molina / flickr CC. See pages 10-11.

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2 the Friend, 7 February 2014 Thought for the Week

The idea of God

mong Friends there are two common ways of looking at the idea of God. First, as an eternal being or presence that permeates the universe – a being or presence that is beyond human comprehension and, yet, fundamentally real. Second, a Amore specific belief in which God has a role in human affairs and human lives, perhaps (but not necessarily) mediated through the person of Jesus Christ. To many Friends, the first of these is a view that they take for granted. It seems self- evident that the world had a creator and the feeling that he/it permeates the world is a widespread spiritual experience. But this God is remote and without influence in our lives: some of us feel that we can, without strong feelings, take this view or leave it. The second view of God is much warmer and more comforting: God is a being to whom we can relate and to whom we can pray. This is a God who is concerned for what happens in the world and in our lives. We may go along with the orthodox Christian view that Jesus was used by God as a unique link into human affairs. Inevitably, though, this leads us into well-known problems. Only by ignoring a great deal of evidence to the contrary can we believe that God influences natural processes (winds, waves, earthquakes…) to our benefit. The natural world is often cruel. And the belief that God acts through human beings throws up further problems: why us (an insignificant grain of sand within a vast universe)? Human lives can be glorious or tragic and many good men and women die young. As Epicurus is said to have put it: ‘…is God able but not willing? – Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?’ Only with a selected view of evidence, or rose-tinted spectacles, can some of us see the hand of a loving creator. It is because of these issues that other Friends prefer not to use the God model but still feel that they can sit comfortably within the Religious Society of Friends. They retain much of what can be recognised as characteristics of present-day Christianity: a sense of wonder at the world; thankfulness for being alive; a sense of inwardness and humility; a profound spiritual sense of love perceived in human relationships; a sense of compassion, particularly for the sufferings of other people but for all living things; a determination to play our part in working towards a better world. These Friends say that they experience the depth of a gathered Meeting. And they are aware of the tensions between how they describe their beliefs and more traditional Quaker ways of speaking and writing. The Religious Society of Friends in Britain urgently needs a greater sense of inclusiveness and understanding of these different and strongly held opinions. We live in a time of great change in all areas of life and tensions of this type are understandable and typical of forward movement in religious thought.

G Gordon Steel Sutton Meeting

the Friend, 7 February 2014 3 Meeting for Sufferings Revision of Quaker faith & practice

Friends agreed to begin the that the process of revision England felt that ‘we need to process of a revision of Quaker faith generally took a decade – so the move forward tenderly and in & practice at Meeting for Sufferings, final results of a revision would not love’. There is a need to recognise, which was held at Friends House appear until the 2020s. she explained, that for some on Saturday 1 February. He offered a number of scenarios individuals there were real In the past year there has been a for Meeting for Sufferings challenges at a personal level. wide-ranging consultation about a to consider, from beginning She said that implementing possible revision. It was launched immediately to deferring the sustainability, for example, posed in June 2013 and closed at the decision, and asked: Is it time to difficulties for some. end of November. A large number start to talk to Yearly Meeting? A ‘rolling revision process’, a of Meetings responded and the A Friend said that every week Friend argued, ‘might better meet Church Government Advisory there were people who wanted to our needs’ and be a worthwhile Group was asked to prepare a digest know more about Quakers. More approach. This idea, however, of responses to inform Meeting for and more Friends were not ‘birth- worried one Friend, who said: ‘The Sufferings’ further discernment. right’ Quakers but ‘convinced’ last thing we need is to be some Paul Parker, recording clerk Friends. He felt that ‘we should get kind of Wikipedia and lose what of Britain Yearly Meeting, spoke on with’ a revision. we have had for 350 years.’ to Friends about the subject. He The sense of Quakerism as A Friend praised Quaker faith & mentioned the wide variety of a dynamic faith was strongly practice as a ‘wonderful tapestry of understanding among Friends expressed. A Friend supported experience’ and inspired ‘leadings’. and said ‘we need to go tenderly the decision to go ahead with a ‘The process of choosing and carefully into the future’. revision and stressed the need to passages’, a Friend said, will He linked the response with the make creative use of new media. require ‘quite deep and difficult discussion of ‘What it means to be He said: ‘let’s go forward with a discernment’ and he urged Friends a Quaker today’ which, he said, smile, with joy and with a sense not to set a time limit to the was enlightening, stimulating and of adventure’. The process of process of revision. challenging. He also talked of the revision, Meeting for Sufferings Friends agreed to proceed with ‘creative tensions that exist among was reminded, was an educational a revision to be taken forward by u s’. exercise for many involved. the Church Government Advisory Paul Parker reminded Friends A Friend from the north of Group. Young people’s participation days Meeting for Sufferings (MfS) heard a proposal able to take on a supportive role for the young people’, for an annual day for young people aged 14-18 to for example, by ‘helping with travel, accommodation happen alongside MfS – the aim being to engage with arrangements and meeting with them during the lunch ‘the experiences and concerns of young Quakers’. b r e a k’. Richard Summers, general secretary of Quaker Unease was expressed by one Friend. She said she Life, spoke about the success of the visit of thirty- would not be a representative now if she had been told eight young people to the October 2013 Meeting for of the need to accompany a young person to Friends Sufferings. He had met with them during their sessions House for such events. and found it an exciting and uplifting day. Another Friend was concerned that this requirement Quaker Life Central Committee (QLCC) endorsed a would put another demand on representatives and three-strand policy to support the inclusion of young make it more difficult for nominations committees people in the life of Britain Yearly Meeting ‘ensuring to find people willing to serve. A Friend was also our structures and processes properly enable children concerned about the Safeguarding issues and said: ‘I am and young people to be heard and take part as fully as CRB checked for my job but not for Quakers’. possible’. The proposal was supported in principle but To aid this policy, Area Meetings were to be invited ‘hesitation has been expressed, particularly around the to nominate two young people for the proposed event supporting role of representatives’ and QLCC was asked and MfS representatives were asked whether they ‘are ‘to look again at the practicalitie’s’

4 the Friend, 7 February 2014 reported by Ian Kirk-Smith and Trish Carn Speaking out The rapid pace of change document, to be binding on those our ‘reputation’ as a Society when in the world of communications, who speak on behalf of Britain comments are made in the social including the development of social Yearly Meeting, and to commend it media using the word Quaker. media, has prompted Friends to to Friends and Meetings. He commented that the present address the subject of ‘speaking out’ Janet Quilley spoke of a recording clerk was a great user of on behalf of Quakers in Britain. policy document that addressed social media and used the word A Speaking Out Group, ‘structures, frameworks and almost every day. He explained that composed of three Friends and boundaries’ and, while emphasising he ‘posted’ less frequently but was three members of staff, was set up the need for clarity, stressed that very careful in his use of the word. in July 2012 to look at the issues definition is difficult in a ‘non- The recording clerk, Paul Parker, involved, to discern boundaries, credal community’. She also agreed that ‘reputational risk’ was test thinking and to revise and highlighted the increasing use of a very important concern and re-draft a policy. the internet and the challenges that that the social media presented For the past twenty years Friends arise in a world where ‘things move challenges for Friends. He said in Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) on so quickly’. he was very careful, for example, have been guided when speaking It was a question, a Friend said, about the ‘likes’ he is endorsing. in public on behalf of Friends by of ‘putting our trust in those who He also explained that Friends Quaker faith & practice section speak for us’ and that ‘speaking House has a particular ‘voice’ for 3.27 and more detailed policy with a confident Quaker voice its Twitter communication and documents. comes from the authority with another for its Facebook page. It Janet Quilley, clerk of the which we speak’. was important to create ‘different Speaking Out Group, talked to A Friend remarked that it was identities’. Meeting for Sufferings about the a ‘brilliant document’ but was He also said that the words background to the subject and concerned on one point. There ‘Quakers in Britain’ felt ‘like highlighted the main points of a was an increasing use of the words an acceptable shorthand’. The revised policy document. ‘Quakers in Britain’ in statements Religious Society of Friends The policy document aims from Friends House. She said: (Quakers), he explained, ‘is not to define the different ways in ‘What does this mean? We need something we find is terribly which Friends engage with the to know?’ Who, exactly, was the convenient.’ He said that they did wider world and to offer guiding speaker speaking on behalf of when distinguish when a statement is principles that are helpful to those these words were used? made on behalf of a committee or who have to speak out at a national The policy document was praised a section, such as Quaker Peace & and local level. by a representative as ‘much better Social Witness. Friends were reminded of the than the 2006 equivalent’ and by A member of the Speaking Out importance of distinguishing another as a ‘very thorough piece Group said that the emphasis had between the different types of of work’. been placed, throughout, on ‘the statement or comments made by A Friend from the west of underlying Quaker principles’. Quakers. England described how he had The Group did not want to be Yearly Meeting Statements arise brought the policy to ten local prescriptive but to produce a policy from a process of discernment by Quakers. Their reactions to it where there was strong guidance, Yearly Meeting in Session or by ranged from ‘hugely enthusiastic’ a focus on Quaker principles and Meeting for Sufferings. They are to the ‘very opposite’. One person clarity about authorisation. primarily addressed to Friends. said: ‘we need encouragement and The report was welcomed and Public statements or comments plenty of examples. We don’t need accepted. are addressed primarily to the bureaucracy!’ wider world and may be made A Friend was extremely using the full range of modern concerned about the way the media. term Quaker is being used in the The date for Britain Yearly Joint statements are those that social media. He raised the idea of Meeting in 2016 was announced. are signed along with other bodies. ‘perception’. It will be held from 27 to 30 May Meeting for Sufferings was asked He said that there was nothing in Friends House, London. to accept a draft revised policy in the document on the risk to

the Friend, 7 February 2014 5 Meeting for Sufferings

The Light The decision to give an additional name – ‘The Light’ – to the Large Meeting House was raised by Jennifer Barraclough, clerk of Britain Yearly Meeting trustees, at Meeting for Sufferings. A Friend described the choice of the new name as inappropriate. Another person commented that the name was a public statement and that the decision had not been made in ‘right ordering’. Paul Parker, recording clerk for BYM, said that every smile and courtesy expressed by the hospitality staff was also a public statement. It was stated that the decision was made by the appropriate committees and following correct processes. Another Friend said that, as a representative, she was a conduit in both directions. She found that Friends in her area perceived the decision as having been made by Meeting for Sufferings. It wasn’t. One Friend commented that she had come to the conclusion that maybe in fifty years’ time people would comment on what a brave decision had been made when the additional name was chosen. Another Friend said that she had been reminded that ‘we all belong to the same worshipping community, we are all A closeup of the centre of the new ceiling in working together and it is the same spirit that leads us’. the Large Meeting House at Friends House. We were further reminded by a Friend of the Yearly The central square will be glass. It was shown Meeting 2013 minute that we should ‘trust our trustees’. to Friends by the recording clerk during the lunch break at Meeting for Sufferings.

Planned agenda for Yearly Political engagement Meeting Gathering 2014 Jessica Metheringham outlined her work in her first few months as parliamentary Chris Skidmore, nominated clerk of Yearly Meeting engagement officer for Britain Yearly Meeting (YM), outlined the planned agenda for the event in Bath. and talked about the importance of political He said that he did not see this year as one of big decisions engagement. but rather as the culmination of three years of exploration She described her role as ‘Speaking Truth to of what it means to be a Quaker today. It will also be the Power’ and said her work was ‘forty per cent beginning of another arc of exploration for the YM on how parliamentary and political engagement; forty we live out our faith as Quakers. per cent speaking to Friends and twenty per cent It is planned that most Yearly Meeting business sessions speaking to other churches.’ will be held in the morning with the afternoons dedicated Jessica has been actively working on the to workshops on various subjects. It will be a chance to get Lobbying Bill and Trident and has been looking to know each other better. On three afternoons there will at focussed political action on these subjects. She be a programme of linked sessions to provide a ‘journey’ mentioned her work with the, now-withdrawn, through the week with a smaller group of people. Private Members’ Bill to reinstate the death penalty. Chris reiterated that the preferred way of booking is She is running workshops at the end of March online but told MfS that paper forms were available. He for Friends who are in their twenties and thirties. stressed that Junior Yearly Meeting appointments by Area The workshops will be concerned with political Meetings should be in by 15 March as after that the places engagement. Jessica said that she wants to engage will be open to others who wish to attend. with Friends across the country. She invited The Swarthmore Lecture, to be given by Ben Pink Quakers to contact her if they have queries on the Dandelion, will take place on the afternoon of Sunday best time or best approach to take in order to be 3 August. most effective when approaching their MP.

6 the Friend, 7 February 2014 reported by Ian Kirk-Smith and Trish Carn

Vibrancy initiative New trustees at Joseph Friends across Britain were encouraged at Rowntree Foundation Meeting for Sufferings to take part in an initiative to Two new faces will be joining as trustees of the foster increased vibrancy in Meetings. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Friends were told at Lizzie Rosewood, recently appointed as the Programme Meeting for Sufferings in the afternoon session. Developer for the Vibrancy in Meetings Initiative, spoke The search group – three people appointed by enthusiastically about her work and her visits in the past Meeting for Sufferings (currently Jonathan Dale, three months to Quakers in Britain. Sarah Richards and Deborah Rowlands) plus three She explained that the aim of the joint initiative trustees clerked by Tony Stoller – brought the names between Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre and Britain of Will Haire and Karamjit Singh for appointment Yearly Meeting was to nurture and support Local and to The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which shares Area Meetings ‘so they can grow and flourish.’ trustees with the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust. She made several recommendations, such as Will Haire, of South Belfast Meeting, is a appointing regional workers who would support member of Ireland Yearly Meeting. He works Meetings and the idea of a telephone helpline, which as the permanent secretary at the Department were well received. She wished to hear from Meetings for Social Development of Northern Ireland that had successful initiatives and to learn of ideas and was previously part of the UK’s Permanent that can be replicated elsewhere. She also welcomed representation to the European Council in Brussels. invitations from Meetings to come and visit them. Karamjit Singh lives in Coventry and comes Friends were supportive of the initiative and wished it from a Sikh family. He is curently Social Fund success. commissioner for Great Britain and Northern Ireland and head of the independent review process Fair wealth T-shirts dealing with appeals against frontline decisions. Quaker UN Committee

A change has been made in the way in which people are appointed to the Quaker United Nations Committee. Following the 2012 review of the relationship between the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva (QUNO) and Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM), Meeting for Sufferings (MfS) has been asked to take on the responsibility for the appointment of three of the five BYM members to the Quaker United Nations Committee. One place is the general secretary of Lancaster Meeting has designed T-shirts QPSW ex officio and QPSW Central Committee will based on a graphic from the New Economics appoint another member to maintain the link to their Forum showing how the welfare budget is spent (see work. above). They are useful conversation starters and Five members of the committee are also appointed are available from the Quaker bookshop in Friends by Friends World Committee for Consultation House, London, in various sizes for £5 each. (FWCC). Since 2011 QUNO has been an independent organisation under Swiss law. Previously, Quaker YMG 2014 clerks Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) had employed the staff directly and QUNO’s work was part of QPSW’s The Committee on Clerks will bring work. forward the following names for nomination to To re-establish the relationship between QUNO Yearly Meeting Gathering in Bath: Chris Skidmore, and BYM rather than just QPSW, the appointment Craven and Keighley Area Meeting, as clerk; of members of the committee will move to MfS Deborah Rowlands, South Wales Area Meeting, as in line with other appointments, such as those to assistant clerk; and Clare Scott Booth, London West FWCC and to the Quaker Council for European Area Meeting, as second assistant clerk. Affairs.

the Friend, 7 February 2014 7 Letters All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend

Spiritual connotations even though recorded voices of survivors were played Our Friend Peter Bolwell asks if we could ever and photographs of the camps surrounded me. convince ourselves ‘that the expression “nontheist” I think, on reflection, the site and buildings held the carries or implies any spiritual connotation whatever?’ ‘ghosts’ of the memories. There may be many other (24 January). instances of genocide but Auschwitz embodies the However, ‘Nontheistic religions are traditions of sense of outrage that we can then translate into other thought within religions, some otherwise aligned continents and cultures and needs to be preserved for with theism, others not, in which nontheism informs future generations to visit. religious beliefs or practices. Nontheism has been Brenda Claxton applied to the fields of Christian apologetics and Bath Meeting, Somerset general liberal theology, and plays significant roles in Buddhism and Hinduism…’ (Wikipedia). Perspectives Surely no-one would argue that Buddhism and It was good to be reminded of the uniquely Jewish Hinduism have no spiritual basis? The Jesuit Pierre perspective of the situation in Israel/Palestine, Teilhard de Chardin said: ‘We are not human beings something we as Quakers may not be so good at having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings acknowledging, not being based on history to the same having a human experience.’ extent, or ethnic identity, holy place and scripture. Laurie Andrews I would like to add a perspective, though. The Mid-Essex Area Meeting question is this: how can it be that those who have suffered so horrifically in the past, and (realistically) Peter Bolwell and several others in the Friend in recent fear so much in the present and future, can deny months have equated nontheism with a lack of faith basic human rights to others now? Does the taking or spirituality: Buddhists are nontheists. Buddhist or destroying of property, the ghettoising behind a organisations have no difficulty being recognised by wall, the long queues of people denied free passage the Charity Commission as religious organisations. in their own country… is that not reminiscent of the Would anyone suggest that the Dalai Lama is not a beginnings of their own persecution? great spiritual teacher, or that Buddhism does not I think the reason we get so exercised about Israel/ carry ‘any spiritual connotation whatever’? I would ask Palestine, in particular, is precisely because here the people to please be careful about making assumptions persecuted have now themselves become persecutors regarding other people’s spirituality. There is clearly a (if on a lesser scale) – and does that not rob us all of difference between nontheists and atheists or people hope for the future of humanity? But then how many who have no spiritual beliefs/practices. Israeli Jews actually know what is being done in their Rachel Howell name? Maybe what is needed is not so much a boycott Aberystwyth Meeting, Wales as a massive information campaign inside Israel. Angela Arnold How should we remember? Oswestry Meeting, Shropshire A few years ago I visited Auschwitz. I had read Primo Levi’s autobiography of his time there, If This Is A Man, Holocaust Memorial Day and wanted to visit the place he had written about. I’m writing this on Holocaust Memorial Day, after a As Nick Tyldesley comments (24 January) it was simple ceremony where a great variety of people in only when I moved away from the crowd that I began the town each placed a pebble on a large granite stone to get a sense of the reality and meaning embedded in the park to commemorate the victims of genocide in this place. I had decided not to continue on to in every time and every place. It doesn’t get any visit Birkenau as I was beginning to feel like a tourist; easier. I weep for my murdered grandmothers every instead, I stayed behind to wander alone around time. There is an awful power in the tragedy which, the empty buildings. As I sat on the step of one of if I chose, could drag me into the depths of despair. the harsh brick buildings that had housed prisoners Instead, I make an alliance with it. With the power I found myself looking out of the camp’s entrance, beside me I am enabled to work to make the world just opposite where the Jewish band had played as better for others. To that end I am a signatory to Jews lines of prisoners left for ‘work’. It was a very moving for Justice for Palestinians. It is an organisation for experience. This depth of reality had also been tangible British Jews, religious and secular, zionist and non, when we were shown the pile of discarded women and gung-ho about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions children’s shoes, printed on the cover of the Friend. (BDS) campaign and opposed, and everything in To my surprise I was unaffected on visiting the between. We campaign for an end to the illegal memorial to victims of the Holocaust in Jerusalem occupation and for peace and justice for both Israelis

8 the Friend, 7 February 2014 [email protected]

and Palestinians. Surprisingly, I know of only two insights. If Quakers want equality for all, surely ‘one others of my fellow Quaker Jews (or are they Jewish size fits all’ is not possible. Quakers?) who are signatories. Perhaps more might I now also attend a worship service taken by lay think of doing so. people, but overseen by a vicar. The people sit in Anthony Gimpel a horseshoe shape, with a simple table completing Leicester Meeting, Leicestershire the circle. On my first visit, on the table, there was a Tibetan singing bowl, a large candle in the middle and a The Large Meeting House simple wooden cross. It seemed to me the whole world I’ve seen a lot of comment about the decision to of spirituality was represented and I felt so happy. market the Large Meeting House externally as ‘The I hope Craig Barnett is right and that a new, or more Light’ – all of it negative, none of it positive. I hope the inclusive, Quakerism will come about. relevant decision makers will have seen the strength of Mary Cozens opinion and will be reconsidering their decision. Norwich Meeting, Norfolk I can imagine how some of the phone conversations in the booking office might go – ‘Hi, this is SOAS, Equal marriage we’ve been let down and need a large meeting room Roger Hill (31 January) describes equal marriage as for an event this Saturday, do you have anything?’ against ‘God’s “holy ordinance” as understood by earlier ‘Why yes, of course, we have The Light’ ‘That’s lovely, generations of Quakers’. There are many ways in which I’m sure, but do you have a room for me?’ ‘You’re Quakers have changed since the mid-seventeenth misunderstanding – I’m saying The Light is available century: we are a community of seekers, and that is all day Saturday’ [beep-beep beep-beep beep-beep]. one of the reasons that we do not define ourselves by But, more to the point, what the people who are a creed. I wonder how gay Friends felt when they read making the decision here are clearly not realising is his letter. I hope they know that there are many of us that people who actually use conference facilities don’t who rejoice with them in the ending of a long-standing pay much heed to the names of the rooms. What they injustice. And I hope they turned the page and read need is clear, simple and logical naming. In fact, what Jean Wardrop’s ‘Continuing revelation’ too. those of us who use conference facilities tend to do Lucy Pollard is laugh at silly names; rarely have I been to an event Ipswich & Diss Area Meeting in a conference facility where one of the first things participants do in the coffee break isn’t discuss how First world war silly the room names are. If I am to commemorate any war it would most If we are to market our main meeting space with certainly be the ending of it and not the start of it. a name that is supposed to reflect our theology There is nothing noble in war of any kind and its and values, do we really want the users of the space nobility may only be found in its ending. laughing at them? Gerard Bane simon gray Broadstairs Meeting, Kent Central England Area Meeting

With reference to Jamie Wrench (31 January), this In essentials unity, Friend speaks my mind. We call the Large Meeting in non-essentials liberty, House ‘The Large Meeting House’ because it is a Meeting house and it is large. What’s wrong with that? in all things charity. Joan Gripton Staffordshire Area Meeting The Friend welcomes your views. Please keep letters short (about 250 words) and include your full A new Quakerism postal address, even when sending emails. Please I would really like to thank Craig Barnett for his article specify whether you wish for your postal or email ‘A new Quakerism?’ (20 & 27 December 2013). address or Meeting name to be used with your He expresses my thoughts and dismay at the lack of name, otherwise we will print your post address or sharing spiritual experiences and insights at Meeting email address. Letters are published at the editor’s for Worship. discretion and may be edited. Write to: the Friend, I do realise there are many for whom an hour’s 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ or email silence is just what they want and, maybe, need. But [email protected] there are many who need to hear words of wisdom Remember if you are online that you can also comment on all articles at www.thefriend.org and are strengthened by others’ experience and

the Friend, 7 February 2014 9 Reflection

Forgiveness on the River Kwai Photo: Xiquinho Silva / flickr CC. / flickr Photo: Xiquinho Silva

John Lampen reflects on a remarkable story

he opening of the film The Railway Man, based Graves Commission, who were investigating Japanese on Eric Lomax’s book, and the publication of war crimes and exhuming the bodies of Allied prisoners Eric Cordingley’s Down to Bedrock: The Diary who died working on the Railway. The experience Tand Secret Notes of a Far East Prisoner of War Chaplain affected him profoundly, inducing a cardiac neurosis 1942–1945, will take many minds back, once more, that persisted until, in 1963, he was able to visit the war to the prisoners who built the Burma-Thai Railway cemetery in the area again. and their treatment by the Japanese army, which left He wrote later to Bill: ‘I have been to the war cemetery wounds that seem to be unhealed even after seventy at Kanburi many times, and stood there to think over years. again and again. But nothing has come out except grief Eric Lomax described how his experiences left a and sympathy. I should do something both for them legacy of anger and nightmares and destroyed his [the dead] and the world and so I made up my mind.’ marriage; and how a meeting late in life with Nagase Takashi, the interpreter who took part in his torture, Meeting with enemies brought compassion for his enemy’s years of subsequent guilt, which led to forgiveness. Before his book was His idea was for a reunion at the railway bridge over published I already knew of Nagase from a dear Quaker the River Kwai. friend, Bill Allchin, who had also worked on the railway as a prisoner and had met him. Bill sent me a little ‘In 1976 I made a plan for a gathering of memoir by him, Crosses and Tigers. ex-prisoners and ex-Japanese officers and soldiers. As a prisoner of the Allies in the last days of the war, I corresponded with ex-POWs and read books Nagase acted as interpreter to some of the Allied War which ex-prisoners wrote about their experience.

10 the Friend, 7 February 2014 Hatred and resentment towards the Japanese are own little book of reflections and memories, Let Your more fierce than the Japanese imagine… I hoped Peaceful Heart Speak, he wrote: we would win reconciliation and forgive each other’s resentment. Meanwhile, some Japanese ‘The River Kwai Reunion was a kind of postscript were bitter about facing trial for war crimes. They to a war-time horror story. To shake hands on the felt they had paid for what they did… bridge, or afterwards in Japan itself, was to try to ‘This plan was announced in the newspapers. heal the memories, to understand the past and It created a sensation in Thailand first. At that learn from it, but also to try to build for the future time a group of British ex-prisoners were visiting bridges across the gulfs that still divide human the River Kwai. According to the foreign news, beings from each other. On the River Kwai and in they said “What are the Japanese getting at? We’ll the prison-camps we learned the lesson of survival throw them in the river when they turn up!” In by means of cooperation. By shaking hands we Japan a newspaper ridiculed my plan with the tone found that our former enemies were people like of “I told you so”. However, a few months later ourselves. We came close enough to know the ex-prisoners from the countries concerned sent human likeness and the quality of the suffering.’ me letters of inquiry, saying, “I am curious about your idea…” The British Far East Ex-Prisoners In that last sentence he linked the suffering on the river Association made a statement that they would with that at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which he had to “neglect” the plan. Little had I known the word face in Japan. “neglect” had such a strong impact. I also received four calls from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign ‘In the evening we came back to Hiroshima and Affairs in order to try to persuade me to give up were able to sit and talk with four outpatients, my plan… ambulant survivors of the holocaust so long ago. ‘I received a letter from an ex-prisoner, doctor Again, it was a meeting shot through with emotion. William Allchin, a psychiatrist at Southampton Tears were shed and strong feelings expressed University, saying that he would support my plan. about those people still struggling with the long- Some twenty comrades, including the doctor, were term effects of that ordeal... For a European, from planning to have a prayer meeting for reconciliation the heart of whose science and culture the bomb and friendship at Westminster Abbey at the identical emerged and had been used, it was particularly time and date when the scheduled reunion would horrible. I almost envied the Japanese, sad victims, be held at the River Kwai.’ but people with a legitimate grievance. And yet I never heard anyone say so in so many words.’ Twenty-three ex-prisoners and fifty-one Japanese met at the river. They first prayed for the repose of the dead What really needs to be said at the War Cemetery, and then walked together over the bridge. Nagase wrote: Today, we have become almost too accustomed to rituals which commemorate past sufferings, usually ‘It was well worth coming all the way to the River with some hope of assisting the processes of healing Kwai for the reconciliation in defiance of friends’ and reconciliation. But their problem is how to prevent and foes’ opposition. I shall never forget the soul- pomp and ceremony from deafening us to what really stirring experience. All the people threw enmity needs to be said. and hatred into the River Kwai. We shared the Bill’s most meaningful thoughts came not at a public pleasure of the forgiveness just by seeing the smiles event but as he looked at the soldiers’ and prisoners’ on each other’s faces.’ graves at Kanburi, the scene which prompted Nagase’s decision: Westminster Abbey ‘I looked at the graves again. They were so young The Westminster Abbey meeting of ex-prisoners took then. Now we came back to them, ourselves having place on the same day, and paid a special tribute to had thirty years more life. What could we report Nagase for his initiative. Though ignored by the British to them that we had done with it, and what would press, it was filmed and later shown on Japanese they hope to hear from us? Of old hatreds and television. Not long afterwards Nagase’s cardiac antagonisms kept alive, or of our efforts to make problems disappeared. the world a safer and a more peaceful place?’’ Bill Allchin later met him and other Japanese veterans at the bridge, and then went to Japan with them. In his John is a member of Central England Area Meeting.

the Friend, 7 February 2014 11 Talking point

The curse of history

Rosalind Mitchell believes that Friends should, sometimes, let history go

ecently, I walked to Meeting for Worship. Now, Quaker simplicity, with neither a large house nor a car. I’m sure many Friends do this every week and I bear Quakerly witness against the arms trade every don’t give it a second thought, but in my case it time I walk across the bridge, over the dock, into town Rtook me three hours and even longer to return home and on Sunday mornings I can commune with wind because I made a small diversion by way of a rural and wave on empty and unspoilt beaches, but it’s not hostelry. There’s still a blister healing up on my left the same. heel, and it’s not an exercise I would care to repeat all that often, especially not in the wet, windy weather so Burdened by history frequent in this part of the world. The truth is that my options for attending Meeting for Worship at all have The real problem is history, or rather, an unseemly narrowed considerably in recent years. attachment of Friends to their history. My Meeting, Swarthmoor, is more heavily burdened than most Once there was a train, if I didn’t mind a bit of a by history. Quaker history has cursed it with the walk, and there was a bus that almost went door to inscription on the lintel stone: EX DONO GF 1688; door; but the early train was withdrawn several years the sixteenth-century farmhouse was the personal gift ago and the bus route curtailed so that I needed to of George Fox to the Religious Society of Friends. walk quite a way just to catch it. Then, over a year ago, the bus was replaced by one that no longer goes near Meanwhile, the village of Swarthmoor bunked off to the Meeting house. It leaves a long uphill walk that service the iron mines and time has left Swarthmoor means I might not get to Meeting in time. Meeting house stranded in a 1930s housing estate on the fringe of Ulverston furthest from transport links. Quaker simplicity It is now all but inaccessible on a Sunday morning except to those with cars and those living close It’s not that I live in an isolated area. Cumbria is a enough to walk. It’s also a nightmare to heat in an sparsely-populated county but the home town to environmentally-friendly way. It was built with open which I returned in semi-retirement seven years ago fires in mind and now winter Meetings for Worship is home to 70,000 people – 69,999 of whom are not are chilly affairs, with blankets provided for those not Quakers! So, perhaps it’s not so surprising that there already equipped for extreme conditions. is no Quaker Meeting here. But then, if any town in Britain cries out for Quaker witness surely it is Barrow Things get worse. Twice I have been unable to attend – home of a major armaments industry that has dealt Area Meeting when there have been items on the in instruments of death for a century and a half. agenda of interest to me. Those Meetings were held at 10.30 on a Saturday morning at Rookhow. Rookhow From my modest Victorian tenement flat in a is a lovely and historic venue deep in the gorgeous genuine working dockland I try to live by principles of Rusland Valley. It is one of the most untrodden parts of

12 the Friend, 7 February 2014 Photo courtesy of Rosalind Mitchell. Photo courtesy of Rosalind

the Lakeland but hopelessly inaccessible for anybody them behind; both Swarthmoor Meeting House and without a car. To get there from Barrow involves a walk Rookhow would fetch a tidy sum on the open market. into town to catch a very early bus to Haverthwaite This money could be diverted to real-world witness followed by an hour-and-a-half trek up the valley. It’s instead of being locked up in crumbling piles of stone. not the way to get as many Friends as possible involved in the affairs of the Society. Meet where we can. Meet in town centres. Meet in public halls, meet in pubs and coffee bars, meet where So much to offer the people are; it’s what Jesus did. A Friends Meeting has been mooted for Barrow and we hope to see one Our numbers are falling. Some have suggested that there; if I had my way it would be held every Monday in fifty years there may be no more Britain Yearly morning outside the main gate of the shipyard. Meet Meeting, and then who will recall the significance of close to public transport hubs. If we are serious about these historic Quaker sites? But Quakers have so much our commitment to the environment then holding to offer today’s society. Meetings for Worship where they can only be accessed by private car is surely bonkers. We are modern, we are radical, where we take the first difficult steps others follow: whether we have been If we want people to come to Quakers then we campaigning against slavery, against capital punishment should take Quakers to the people. We should be or for same sex marriage. And we are not about bricks proud but not vain. If we want a Society of Friends for and mortar, even if those bricks were laid personally by the twenty-first century then we should stop dwelling the saints we don’t have. in the seventeenth. And if we want to live in the Spirit then we must become much less obsessed with the Our Meetings should not stay in the places they Material. were needed in the seventeenth century. They should go out to the places they are needed in the twenty-first. If buildings can’t easily be moved then we should leave Rosalind is a member of Swarthmoor Meeting.

the Friend, 7 February 2014 13 Reflection

Experimenting boldly

James McCarthy wonders just how much of a priority a new book of discipline should be?

was excited when I first saw that there might be a at trust, power and responsibility in new ways. new Quaker faith & practice. I value Quaker faith & What can Quakers offer? We are a small Society but practice highly and I have often come across a piece our structures have lasted well. Do they embody Iof writing and thought ‘that would go well in the next something of wider value? Do we have the courage edition’. to explore new models of decision making that are Then I had a chance conversation with a Friend. inclusive, robust and challenging? Love in action must He was depressed at the thought of another red book. be forgiving, but should not be timid. His reasons? It would absorb time and energy at a Fourth: worship. The heart of our practice is time when other challenges are more pressing for spiritual. Sometimes we have it, sometimes we don’t. our Society. I could see what he meant. I envisaged What can we learn from each other about the marvel committees meeting for months and years. Their of Quaker worship? Letting go of fear, exploring our members would be some of our more committed needs, talking about possibilities – can our routine and skilful Friends. Staff at Friends House would worship become exciting, profound, deeply satisfying? serve these committees; the project, being centrally Our worship is precious; it sustains the world. Let us mandated, would get high priority; other work would cherish and nurture it, but also examine it for what be squeezed in around it. it can tell us about ourselves and our troubled world What other work? What other things could we, as a here and now. Society, be tackling in the next five years? Fifth: children. Vibrant churches devote time, money First: sustainability. Our commitment to a low- and imagination to providing for their children. Active carbon economy is excellent in theory – but where children’s classes attract families – without whom our has it got to in practice? Unless it is driven strongly Society is unlikely to survive. We have excellent central from the centre, as well as receiving committed local support for children’s and young people’s work; local support, will it amount to anything? Pam Lunn’s 2011 provision is patchy. Do we need new models? Some Swarthmore Lecture was brilliant. The follow up needs Meetings employ workers to take Sunday morning energetic pursuit. classes: parents get to Meeting for Worship; children Second: the economy. The last five years have been enjoy continuity of teachers; new young people are enlightening. The crash has been followed by a painful brought into contact with Meeting. The model may ‘recovery’. Has anything changed? Is a new model of seem strange, but it is being tried, and it works. economy needed? What values, ideas and experience Quakerism is on the cusp of something exciting. can we contribute? The proposal for a Quaker bank We seem confident enough about our values and the is interesting. What more can we offer? The article in worth of our work to be ready to embrace uncertainty the Friend by Tony Weekes and Sue Holden (2 August and change. Perhaps we should experiment boldly for 2013) is a good starting point for discussion. a while, then see whether we have something relevant Third: politics. Our political system is broken. It for a new book of discipline? cannot be mended within the existing paradigm. We need to start again from first principles, looking James is member of New Earswick Meeting.

14 the Friend, 7 February 2014 Poetry

L’Amor che move il sole e l’altre stelle (Dante)

The Love that moves the sun and the other stars And shows me, too, that those deep-seated scars Of separation, loss and hopelessness And wondering who I really am Can lead me to a deeper sense of holiness.

Just be still and wait and pray And there will come another day When light will fill the darkest places Shining through the empty spaces Giving a sense of what to do, An answer to the question ‘Who are you?’ An opening into something new.

Tim Brown Cambridgeshire Area Meeting Photo: Gisela Giardino / flickr CC. Photo: Gisela Giardino / flickr

the Friend, 7 February 2014 15 a look at the Quaker world [email protected]

Memorable enchantment

‘Nestled in nature’ (10 Jill has since seen a number of Delmar Banner, in 1930 and lived January) inspired two Friends Josefina’s sculptures and considers very happily in their Cumbrian to share their own memories a book depicting sculptures and farmhouse until he died in 1983. of the way in which Josefina de poems by the artist as one of her Jill adds: ‘Some of her most Vasconcellos and her artwork most treasured volumes. amazing works are out of huge touched them. ‘Our nearest sculpture is in Bury blocks of stone. Something seems For Andrew Rutter, of St Edmond’s Cathedral in Suffolk. to be coming out from within. At Winchester Meeting, the Here Jesus is a toddler reaching up ninety-one she was working on photograph that appeared was to Mary, desperate to be picked up. “Escape to Light” outside in the already familiar: ‘I came across There is always something unique grounds of Rydal Hall. She said, the same group in Cartmel Priory in Josefina’s way of looking at life “Make friends with the stone and it in the Lake District and was and capturing the moment. works for you. The stone becomes so impressed that I drew them ‘Although her mother was a alive and in the end is this mystery, from four different positions Quaker, she forbade her child’s so much you don’t know” and “I because the lighting made a good governess to talk to her about have a clear idea of the shape of photograph impossible.’ religion. Nevertheless, she the sculpture but am never bound He adds: ‘By sticking to her gift [Josefina] married an Anglican lay- by detail of the finish, so that each to do figurative sculpture, which preacher and homosexual, artist day’s work is an adventure.”’ was not fashionable in the art world of her time, she produced memorable work.’ Jill Allum, of Beccles Meeting, found out more about the artist after an encounter in 1982: ‘I was privileged to be given a week’s holiday at Glenthorne after my twelve-year-old daughter, Pip, had been in Great Ormond Street Hospital nearly dying of Reyes Syndrome. I found myself at a lecture by Richard Wordsworth, William’s grandson, sitting next to Josefina de Vasconcellos. I had seen one of her sculptures and was enchanted.’ Rutter. Andrew Courtesy of The call of the digital

During a discussion about social media at Designed by Chip Thomas and sponsored by Meeting, Friends in Bradford were inspired by an Marlborough Meeting, it is available on the Android ‘appy idea. Chris Butler got in touch to share it: ‘We market. It delivers a George Fox quote to the users’ came up with the idea of a Quaker App. Press on phone daily. the App and what do you get? Perfect silence!! Just a The description states: ‘This widget is for members thought!’ of (or those interested in) the Religious Society of This piqued Eye’s curiosity and some swift Friends… The quotes tend to be Christo-Centric, but searching unearthed a potential gap in the market. even Friends who are not so oriented can be inspired After flipping past the ‘Quaker State’ (related to by the spiritual depth and power of words from the vehicle maintenance), ‘Penn Quakers’ sports news founder of Quakerism.’ One reviewer commented: and a Quaker Oats app in Portuguese, Eye landed ‘Digesting Fox a sentence at a time has proved much upon a George Fox-related widget, simply called more fruitful for me than taking on longer texts.’ ‘Quaker App’. Could this app soon be getting company?

16 the Friend, 7 February 2014 Ad pages 7 Feb 4/2/14 15:05 Page 3

Friends&Meetings CHARNEY SPRING WEEKENDS Deaths Changes of clerk March 7-9 Quaker images of child- hood with Margaret Crompton; H Gordon DEAKIN 27 January, PORTOBELLO & MUSSELBURGH April 11-13 Quaker Saints and suddenly. Member of Plymouth LM Clerk: Chris Booth, Assistant Sinners with Gil Skidmore. Cost Meeting. Funeral at Quaker House, Clerk: Kim Smith. Meeting Life Clerk: £176 (deposit £76) Charney Manor Mutley Plain, Plymouth, Friday Mary Jane Elton. 2nd/4th Sundays, OX12 0EJ. Tel. 01235 868206; email 7 February at 3.45pm. No flowers, 10.30am, Changes, 108 Market St, [email protected] please. Musselburgh EH21 6QA. Correspon- dence: [email protected] OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS Second of Raymond FORSYTH 30 January. 36 Eskview Avenue, Musselburgh EH21 6NR. The Kindlers’ monthly ‘Laboratories Husband of Olwen. Member of of the Spirit’ workshops. Saturday Sutton Meeting, together sharing 15 February, 10am-5pm, Friends their attendance with Purley URC. New meeting House, Euston Road, London, No Aged 94. booking. £10 pay at the door. www.londonquakers.org.uk BRADFORD UNIVERSITY New Notices on this page Meeting for Worship 2nd Thursday every month, 1-2pm. Worship QUAKER ASYLUM AND Personal entries (births, marriages, REFUGEE NETWORK - QARN deaths, anniversaries, changes of 1.15pm to 1.45pm. Room 01.29 in Student Central. Contact Quaker You are invited to our next meeting at address, etc.) charged at £20 incl. Central Manchester Meeting House, vat for up to 35 words and Chaplain Judy Shorney on 01274 includes a copy of the magazine 542105. Email: jshorney26@ Saturday 22 February, 11.00 – 16.00, containing the notice. Meeting talktalk.net or Chris 07913 636036. see www.qarn.org.uk and charity notices (changes of clerk, new wardens, alterations to REVELATION AND REVOLUTION meeting, diary, etc.) £16.67 zero Diary A radical quaker interpretation rated for vat. Max. 35 words. 3 Conference hosted by Conservative Diary or Meeting up entries £40 Quakers. Bunhill Fields FMH, (£33.33 zero rated); 6 entries £72 BAMFORD QUAKER COMMUNITY (£60 zero rated). Notices should 14-16 March: Building Peace - London Saturday 22 March, 10.30am. preferably be prepaid. Cheques challenges of living our testimony to No charge, donations requested. made out to ‘The Friend.’ Deadline peace. £140-£90. 4-6 April: Enquirers - Bring and share lunch. Enquiries: usually Monday morning. exploring approaches to community Simon Watson 020 8469 2901. Email Entries are accepted at the editor’s living. £60-£40. 18-21 April: Spring Malcolm Winch: [email protected] discretion in a standard house Gathering - all-age creative activities style. A gentle discipline will be over Easter. £160-£110. 01433 650 SPIRITUAL INSPIRATION IN exerted to maintain a simplicity of 085. www.quakercommunity.org.uk THE POETRY OF R S THOMAS style and wording that excludes Gathering of Friends at Aberdaron, terms of endearment and words of 21-24 March. Experience the envi- tribute. Guidelines on request. rons where Thomas lived and share The Friend, 54a Main Street, Make time for personal responses to his poetry. Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL Ten places remaining. Enquiries T: 01535 630230 the Friend! Tim James: [email protected] E: [email protected] 01264 336085.

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the Friend, 7 February 2014 17 Ad pages 7 Feb 4/2/14 15:05 Page 4

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FAUGÉRES, LANGUEDOC, SW FRANCE. QUAKER BOLIVIA SERVICE AND STUDY Well equipped, unpretentious village Trip/FWCC option, March-April, 2014. COs in WWI house. Ideal for walks, wine, historic Visit QBL.org development projects, towns. Euro310pw, sleeps 4/6. historic sites, Lake Titicaca. Volunteer Are you a descendant of a www.faugeres.co.uk, 0113 2576232, teaching English to BQEF.org students. First World War conscientious objector email: [email protected] Could include FWCC regional meeting or related to someone who was in La Paz. Optional Machu Picchu. active in the women's peace movement www.TreasuresoftheAndes.com of those days? MALTA: Spacious flat for holiday use in 00 1 707 823 6034 (California). centre of colourful fishing village. Sleeps 6. Peace organisations planning Details: [email protected] the International Conscientious 01467 624483. Objectors' Day ceremony in London books on 15 May 2014 would like to invite relatives to take part. PERSONAL RETREATS, FRANCE. Make If you are one, please get in touch. space to reflect and be still. Beautiful old INNER LIGHT BOOKS Contact [email protected] farmhouse in rural Auvergne offers or telephone 020 8859 2015. supportive, nurturing environment for Editions concerning traditional individual retreats. Simple daily rhythm: Quaker Faith & Practice meditation; silence; contemplative/artistic For a list of publications or for more activities. Walking. Organic vegetarian information on particular titles visit miscellaneous food. www.retreathouseauvergne.com www.innerlightbooks.com or write SOUTHERN FRANCE Centre Quaker Editor, Inner Light Books ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT & Congénies. Walk, cycle, lovely valley. Share 54 Lapidge Street CONSULTANCY San Francisco CA 94110, USA camaraderie/worship with Friends. Relax Bookkeeping, Wardening Cover, Lettings, in our pleasant garden. S/C Kitchen. Outreach & Project Management for www.centre-quaker-congenies.org or call Quaker Meetings & small businesses. +33 466 71 46 41, +33 466 35 27 16. courses & events Wendrie Heywood 07881 220829 [email protected] SW PORTUGAL. Looking for a holiday in www.mindfulbusinessservices.com a warm and relaxing area? Spring, THE NIGHTINGALE CENTRE summer or autumn, villa to let. Sleeps 4/5. Great Hucklow, Derbyshire OPEN WING TRUST. Registered charity: Swimming pool. Edge of small village. 1149773. We encourage individuals who Beaches nearby. Tel. 0114 236 2456. Invites you to stay and participate in a need financial support while they take wide choice of spiritual and leisure activi- steps towards working with and for those ties in beautiful and peaceful surroundings in need. To apply for funding or make a with countryside walks from the door. donation please visit www.openwing.org.uk Classified ads Or plan your own event at our friendly Standard linage 54p a word, semi- and very well equipped residential centre. display 82p a word. Rates incl. Ring Stella 01298 871218 PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANCY &TAXATION SERVICE vat. Min. 12 words. Series dis- or visit our website www.thenightingalecentre.org.uk counts: 5% on 5 insertions, 10% Quaker Accountant offers friendly service countrywide. on 10 or more. Cheques payable Self-assessment & small businesses. to The Friend. UNLOCK YOUR INNER MUSICIAN. Inspirational courses all levels, complete Richard Platt, Grainger & Platt Advertisement Dept, 54a Main St beginner to professional musician. Singing, Chartered Certified Accountants Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL sightreading, inner hearing, universal 3 Fisher Street, Carlisle CA3 8RR Tel. 01535 630230 harmony. [email protected] Telephone 01228 521286 [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.britishkodalyacademy.org/ courses_workshops.htm www.grainger-platt.co.uk

the Friend, 7 February 2014 19 Ad pages 7 Feb 4/2/14 15:05 Page 6 V ADVERTISEMENT DEPT EDITORIAL ol 54a Main Street 173 Euston Road 172 Cononley London NW1 2BJ Keighley BD20 8LL T 020 7663 1010 No

T & F 01535 630230 F 020 7663 11-82 6 E [email protected] the Friend E [email protected] Quaker United TREASURER Nations Office Geneva NEW FOREST QUAKER OFFICE MANAGER CARE HOME An opportunity for a person with OPEN TO ALL Leighton Park School invite all excellent knowledge of the Geneva The role would suit a recently regulatory, work and cultural retired Finance Director or Friends to their environment who would either be a Swiss or European Union national or Accountant. Being a Board GENERAL MEETING have Swiss residency. Member is an incredibly impor- tant way to make a significant Saturday 15th March 2014 You would be part of our friendly difference to our business. As a 10.30am - 4.30pm and socially committed team at respected and responsible role, it Quaker House Geneva, and be (Main Hall) responsible for the administrative is a great way to develop new skills and to support your commu- The day will include a management of House and Office, support to the Director and other nity. We are a not for-profit presentation on an aspect of staff and a range of other tasks. charity formed to provide high life at Leighton Park School quality care for the elderly while A minimum of ten years of experience keeping fees as low as possible. Please contact Nicky Tarrant, in an administrative position and excellent fluency in written and spoken Bursar's PA to confirm your French and English are required. The THE ROLE attendance. post is open to Friends and those in Tel: 0118 987 9607 or Email: sympathy with Quaker approaches. Guide the Board in all matters of finance: [email protected] For further details, please visit our website at http://www.quno.org • Prepare annual budgets www.leightonpark.com Closing date for applications • Monitor financial performance Reg. Charity No. 309144 18 February 2014. • Oversee Accountancy and Audits • Present monthly finance reports • Evaluate possible additional capacity in the development of our services • Attend 9 board meetings. THE SKILLS ACKWORTH SCHOOL Experienced accountant or finance Ackworth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF7 7LT manager/director Tel: 01977 611401 E-mail: [email protected] THE PERSON GENERAL MEETING Support the ethos, values and will be held at the School on independence of Quaker House goals with your knowledge, skills Saturday 10 May 2014 and professional expertise over 3 • The Meeting is an opportunity for all members of Britain Yearly Meeting days a month. An honorarium and to see the School and we hope that as many as possible will attend. reasonable travel expenses paid. For an informal discussion please • All Area Meetings are asked to appoint a Representative. contact either: • Members wishing to attend on a personal basis may do so, but are asked to make their intention known to the School. Anthony Woolhouse (Chair) on 01425 618560. 10.30am Coffee 11.00am Meeting for Worship followed by the Business sessions Paul Abbott (Registered Manager) on 01425 617656. 12.15pm Lunch Special Topic: The School Estate All posts are subject to 3.45pm Tea and dispersal regulatory checks. John Wattis Formerly New Milton Quaker Clerk of Ackworth General Meeting Housing Association