Latest News
Portadown Meeting closes
A Northern Ireland Meeting has closed after more than a century. Friends held their last Meeting in the Portadown Meeting house on 26 October. The Meeting house, in County Armagh opened in 1905, and was paid for by a fundraising drive that raised £1,000. Although some fifty people belong to the Meeting,...
Tapestry museum is a ‘Hidden Gem’
The Quaker Tapestry Museum in Kendal has been named a ‘Hidden Gem’ by tourism body VisitEngland. The museum is one of just forty-six attractions in the country to receive a VisitEngland accolade in recognition of providing a good visitor experience.
Philadelphia Quakers in Penn tribute
The 370th anniversary of William Penn’s birth was marked by two days of events at the historic Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia. The celebration took place on 24 and 25 October. Events included a presentation on Penn’s life, describing how becoming a Quaker led him to found Pennsylvania and...
Award for The Retreat
The Retreat’s Acorn Programme has been named the Independent Healthcare Apex Specialist Provider of the Year. The programme, at the York-based mental health facility, is an open, residential specialist service for women. It uses psychological therapies for those who engage in self-defeating behaviours such as self harm and eating...
JRF calls for fundamental change
A Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) report on the UK care home sector has called for fundamental change and an injection of humanity. The call follows a year-long personal enquiry by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust’s director of care services John Kennedy, which built on existing JRF research.
YFGM adopts new concerns
Young Friends General Meeting (YFGM) has adopted two new concerns These are in two areas: opposing the renewal of the UK’s nuclear weapons programme, Trident, and supporting mental wellbeing in the Meeting and beyond.
Russian Quakers aim to reach further
Friends House Moscow (FHM) has launched a Russian-language version of its website. Information on the new site, which uses the url quakers.ru, includes books translated as part of the FHM publishing project that is supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.
Bridport Friends witness for peace
Quakers in Bridport held an international peace vigil as part of the Week of Prayer for World Peace. The vigil took place on Saturday 18 October in the recently established Peace Garden at Bridport Meeting House in Dorset.
QPSW endorses Energy Bill
Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) has endorsed Fuel Poverty Action’s Energy Bill of Rights. The bill was launched at the Houses of Parliament on Monday 27 October (see above). ‘Quaker Peace & Social Witness is committed to working on energy justice – this means calling for clean not dirty energy,...
Manchester Quakers fight planning decision
Members of Central Manchester Meeting are among those opposing Manchester City Council’s planned closure of the public right of way, Library Walk, in the city centre. The pedestrianised thoroughfare has existed since 1934, connecting St Peter’s Square to Mount Street. It provides the only face-on route to the Meeting...