Letters - 11 August 2017
From Woodbrooke to restorative experience
Woodbrooke
I’ve been reading with interest the letters regarding the rebranding of the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, as I’m experiencing a similar process in my workplace.
In both cases, a longer name is being shortened to a shorter, more snappy one, leaving the old, longer name still there, but no longer to the fore.
In both cases it has provoked some strong reactions – often feelings of pain and discomfort, sometimes anger, outrage and… ‘how could they?!!!’
In both cases, after the event, there has been a thoughtful explanation of the process (14 July), which has aided understanding and acceptance.
I think that in both cases the reactions have come from a place of strong belonging, deep connection and feeling part of the thing that seems to have been changed, seemingly out of the blue, or at least without considering ‘me’/’us’.
The communications team at my workplace have acknowledged that the rebranding process could have been more transparent, less rushed, with more employee involvement, which they have now put in place.
It helps me to remember that I don’t need the new name or logo to continue to feel connected to Woodbrooke, but if the rebranding can help more people to make that connection then that can only be good.
What can we learn from this? How could such a process be managed in the future? How can those close to the name have a sense of belonging in the process?
Anonymous
Name and address supplied
The Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre has shortened its name to Woodbrooke; all that has been lost is three words from a title.
As regular visitors in a number of capacities we feel that we can assure Friends that there has been no loss of Quaker ethos, Quaker welcome, Quaker ministry or Quaker community.
The education provided continues to support and inspire Friends. Others who visit find ‘a place of loving friendship and enjoyment’ and are touched by its care.
Marilyn Higgins and Sheila Houldin
Nuclear weapons
James Yeoman’s ‘Cause for hope’ (21 July) gives an interesting and logical analysis of the ‘representative’ nature of the voters at the UN on 7 July. Many were from the ‘Non-Aligned Movement’ (NAM), which is deeply fearful of the world’s nuclear arsenals.
His assertions need a closer look. ‘Some southern hemisphere countries… would probably avoid most of the lethal consequences’ misses a point that did not escape their UN diplomats – namely the decade or so long global famine (aka ‘nuclear winter’) which would follow even a limited hostile nuclear exchange. ‘Deploy a technology that makes the undesirable thing obsolete’ misses the obsolescence now facing Trident through surveillance of the high seas by drones; indeed, the ‘more terrifying’ technology is already here – cyberattacks.
It may not be the nuclear armed states we should worry about but the arsenals themselves – a nuclear war may just as likely follow an unintended set of detonations (maybe cyber-sparked) as a deliberate attack. The arsenals are indeed intended to deter but who would rationally want world security to be based on nuclear weapons? Deterrence, as we have shown, is a dangerous delusion.
Frank Boulton
What canst thou say?
Wandering the streets and sights of Worcester this summer, rather aimlessly, I felt the need to take time out. I thought a silent hour would more likely be found in the cathedral than in the local coffee shop.
There was no charge for entry. A good start. I found the small Jesus Chapel inside, designated for prayer, lit a candle for my deceased parents and brothers, and settled down.
It was not to last. Very soon a guided tour arrived. Would they retreat, seeing a solitary worshipper? Not a bit of it. The guide loudly persisted with amusing stories out of the cathedral’s history. My cathedral experience, if not ruined, was truncated. I made an exit and it was a somewhat histrionic departure.
Next day, visiting Great Malvern it felt obligatory to sample the famous Malvern spring water. There is a very pretty pump-cum-shrine there. Water flows continuously. An elderly gent was filling his five-litre plastic bottle.
Next in line was a younger man in a T-shirt and baseball cap. On the T-shirt were the words, in blood-red, ‘Kill Corbyn’. On the baseball cap, the words ‘Make America Great Again’.
I made a point of addressing him, with exaggerated courtesy: ‘You’re next, sir’.
Both of these episodes will stick in my mind. Was I too passive? My behaviour too nuanced? I know what George Fox would say. I think I know what I say. But what cans’t thou say?
Michael Golby
The future
A dialogue has been going on for some time now between David Boulton and Derek Guiton, about the future of the Religious Society of Friends.
Books by David, containing his views, are on the bookshelves of most Meeting houses, and he is widely known as a ‘nontheist’. Derek published A Man that Looks on Glass to bring out the positive aspects of theism, referring a lot to David’s work. Then we had an answering book from David Boulton, and now a response from Derek Guiton.
I know Friends get tired of the theism/nontheism debate, but it really is the central issue in the Society today. It is easy for nontheists to say that we should use language that they can use too, as part of ‘inclusivity’. But, although such language would be harmless to theist, it would not say what theists want to say! And it is easy to say we should define ourselves by our testimonies and ways of working, which everybody agrees on. Left under the guidance of our varied human impulses only, who is to say these testimonies and these Quaker ways will last? Why should they?
We can’t assume that there is any way of remaining in one ‘Religious’ Society, which nurtures our spirits and feeds the world, without at least an openness in everyone who worships together to the possibility that if we allow it, that which is beyond may reach us all, and empower us for good.
Rachel Britton
History of Claridge House
Using online genealogical sites and with the help of the Friends House Library and the Surrey Family History Centre, I am researching the history of Claridge House, the Quaker centre for rest and renewal in Lingfield, Surrey, since it was built around 1863. There are many more Quaker connections than we realised. However, I would appreciate Friends’ help with what happened in 1952 and 1953.
Those of you who have stayed at Claridge House may have heard the story that when the Friends Fellowship of Healing (FFH) acquired the house in 1953 they were either given it or bought it at a reduced price from a doctor who was impressed with the healing work done by the FFH. Some accounts say that the doctor’s wife was the beneficiary of this healing. However, I have not been able to substantiate this, much as I would like to.
I know from a Land Registry document that Claridge House changed hands on 23 November 1953 for £6,300. The purchasers were members of the FFH: Lucy Backhouse, Edith Marion Grubb and Olaf Hodgkin. We know Olaf later went to Australia and that at Silver Wattle the Australian FFH created a purpose-built healing unit named after him.
The vendor was William Herbert Garrett, described as a company director of Claridge House. He may or may not have been medically qualified.
If you have any family facts or anecdotes which would help me I would be most grateful.
Frances Crampton
Claridge House trustee
francrampton@waitrose.com
Seeking
I have recently begun to feel slightly dissatisfied with the Society. After having attended for over a year now, I have realised that what drew me to the fiery spirit of George Fox’s Quakers of 1652 is very different to what I find now. Although my personal and political views are driven by justice and truth and the quiet voice of my conscience, I have often felt left out from the rest of the Quaker community because my views differ so much from the rest. Perhaps I will continue as a Quaker, carrying forward the original spirit in my own way – or perhaps I will have to go my own way.
Catherine Warr
Restorative experience
I thoroughly enjoyed Sue Holden’s article (21 July) about the school children’s circle time at a Meeting house. I found their questions and reflections fresh and authentic and their activities delightful!
This is by far the best article I have read in the Friend this year. If only I could pinpoint what it was that made this article so exceptional. Thank you Sue!
Cédric Krummes
