Eye - 01 January 2016

From core values to Quaker crackers

Core values

A new heritage orchard has been planted by students at Sibford School in Banbury.

Fifteen trees, covering a number of apple varieties originating in Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties, are taking root at the edge of the school’s campus.

The seed of the idea was planted by Bill Crabtree, a local villager who uses the field, known as Holly Tree Field, to graze his sheep.

Andy Newbold, director of studies at the Quaker school, explained: ‘Bill noticed that two apple trees that grew in the field had come to the end of their natural life. We talked about replacing them but the idea quickly took root so that in the end, rather than having a couple of new trees, we have instead created a whole new orchard.’

Fear not, trusty Eye readers! The sheep have not lost their grazing ground – each tree has been individually fenced to protect it from over enthusiastic nibbling.

An electric atmosphere

A Friend from Southern Marches Area Meeting has been plugging electric energy to the public.

Jamie Wrench, vice-chair of Stretton Climate Care, starred in a short film to mark Stretton Climate Care’s third Electric Car Day, which can be seen at: http://strettonclimatecare.org.uk/2015/12/4624/.

The Day saw a variety of electric cars on display in Church Stretton to inquisitive drivers. There were also demonstrations of how to charge vehicles up.

Whilst taking Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, for a ride, Jamie said:

‘If we’re going to keep this kind of green and pleasant land, we have got to do something about climate change – reduce our use of fossil fuels, in particular where transport is concerned.’

What is It? Rhetorical

Your blue eyes feel It this way
my brown eyes feel It that.
It is neither of these
and both.
It is all eyes
in Its no eyes.
Yet in Its one eye
It is
simply
It.

Sabina Tzikas

Quaker crackers

Cracker-producing Quaker characters have appeared in a book written by bestselling author Trisha Ashley.

The romantic comedy, A Christmas Cracker, was published in October 2015.

Rachael Milling, of Swarthmoor (South West Cumbria) Area Meeting, discovered this feel-good read and told Eye: ‘The heroine [Tabby] is sent to prison for something she didn’t do, and meets a Quaker prison visitor, who arranges for her to stay with another Quaker [Mercy] who owns a cracker factory [Friendship Mill], where the workers are all ex-prisoners. Meeting for Worship is described, and Quakerism given a generally good press. Watch out for enquirers…’

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