Latest News
Trident beleaguered from all sides
A Quaker is facing imprisonment in Scotland for her protest against what she regards as an unfair trial. Janet Fenton was found guilty of criminal damage on Friday along with fellow peace activist Barbara Dowling. They had sprayed slogans on the walls of a court building in Dumbarton in 2010...
Challenge on ageing
Poetry, research and technology have been brought together by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) as they challenge society to rethink attitudes to growing old. JRF last week launched a series of briefings, a dedicated website and a poem by Andrew Motion, the former poet laureate.
History lessons to be learned
History is repeating itself as the Greek debt crisis mirrors the debt scandals that have affected parts of Africa. That was the message from the Jubilee Debt Campaign as they urged Europe’s leaders to learn the lessons of the past.
Quaker relief worker on new stamp
Joan Mary Fry is one of the ‘Britons of Distinction’ featured in a set of ten stamps released on 23 February. The British Philatelic Bulletin reads: ‘Born into a rich Quaker family in London, Joan Mary Fry grew up to become a Quaker relief worker and social reformer who exercised a...
Northumbria rejig
Friends in the northern county have decided to trial a new format to make their Area Meetings (AMs) more attractive to those who never go. There will only be four AMs per year, held on Sundays, with a new working group meeting monthly to progress routine business matters. However, these...
The cost of cold weather
Cold weather has combined with government cuts to make life harder for some of Britain’s poorest people. That was the message from Quaker Social Action (QSA) as parts of the UK experienced several consecutive nights at sub-zero temperatures.
Keswick Meeting goes solar
Friends in Keswick are celebrating after installing environmentally friendly panels on their Meeting house. The photovoltaic cells were fitted in December – ahead of the deadline.
John Voysey pleads not guilty
An eighty-two-year-old Quaker has pleaded not guilty to breaking the Census Act, saying he has a right to freedom of conscience. John Voysey, of Ludlow Meeting, refused to complete the census after the contract for running it was awarded to a division of multinational arms firm Lockheed Martin (see ‘Court...
Hexham debates
Hexham Debates, which seek to carry on the tradition of active radical debate essential for ensuring freedom and justice for all, will be hosting a variety of meetings organised by Northumbrians for Peace and Hexham Meeting during the coming months.
Quakers unite on alcohol pricing
Quaker action on Alcohol and Drugs (QAAD) has united with other faith groups in urging the prime minister to introduce a minimum unit price on all alcohol sold in Britain.