Latest News
Meeting for Sufferings: News in brief
Recording clerk induction Paul Parker, recording clerk of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM), reported to Meeting for Sufferings (MfS) on his induction activities since his appointment. He has held one-on-one meetings with almost all BYM staff at both Friends House and Swarthmoor Hall and has attended departmental and staff...
‘Occupy’ beyond London
Quakers are offering practical help and political support to ‘Occupy’ protest camps throughout the UK. Since the launch of Occupy London in October, the movement has spread to most major British cities and a number of smaller towns. There are thought to be occupations in over eighty countries worldwide.
Dress doctor wins award
A Quaker whose business is informed by her faith has been named one of the UK’s top young social entrepreneurs. Jo Poole, of Jesus Lane Meeting in Cambridge, has won a Future 100 award for entrepreneurial flair that combines commercial, environmental and social goals.
Salter statue stolen
A statue of one of the twentieth century’s most prominent Quakers has been stolen from a park in Bermondsey. The bronze statue of Alfred Salter, a doctor, politician and social reformer, disappeared on 18 November.
Michael Lyons released
British conscientious objector Michael Lyons has been released from military prison in Colchester. He was sentenced to nine months’ detention for ‘wilful disobedience’ after he refused to register for a rifle. His views on war had changed but his application for discharge due to conscientious objection was rejected (see â€...
Quakers assist election in Congo
Quakers from Kinshasa Monthly Meeting have acted as election observers in the presidential election, held on November 28, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Quaker statement on Occupy movement
British Quakers have formally expressed their support for the ‘Occupy’ movement as controversy continues over the protest camp outside St Paul’s Cathedral. The decision follows strong support for the movement from individual Friends, and several calls for Quakers to give their backing at a national level. A statement...
Quaker school best in Northern Ireland
Friends School, Lisburn, has been named the top secondary school in Northern Ireland in the prestigious Sunday Times Schools’ Guide. It was founded in 1774 and has grown from a boarding school for thirty Quaker children to a thriving state grammar school with 980 students in the senior school and a preparatory...
Census boycotters in court
Prosecutions have begun against people who boycotted this year’s census in protest against the arms industry. Boycotters in England and Wales are angry that the census contract was awarded to multinational arms company Lockheed Martin. In Scotland and Northern Ireland there was opposition over the role of arms firm...
Baptist Times set to close
One of Britain’s most prominent religious publications is set to close down after more than 150 years. The Baptist Times will cease publication in December. The paper’s directors attributed the decision to ‘falling circulation and difficulties of selling advertising space’. Due to financial problems, the paper has relied...