Eye - 07 November 2014

From cycling to yogurt

Carlton Hill Quakers catch the cycling bug

Eighteen wheels, topped by nine industriously pedalling Friends from Carlton Hill Meeting, set off to discover the history of Friends in Leeds last month.

The Leeds Quaker History Cycle Tour, led by Robert Keeble, took place on 11 October and ‘covered’ several centuries.

The route included the Old Carlton Hill Meeting House, now part of Leeds Beckett University, and the site of the first Meeting house, now home to ASDA’s headquarters. One of the most revealing stories took place outside Debenhams on Briggate, the main shopping street. ‘This was the site of the Moote Hall… where fifty Quakers were imprisoned for attending a Quaker Meeting in Leeds on 21 October 1683.’

Whilst it wasn’t possible to visit all previous Meeting places in the city, the intrepid cyclists were not to be dissuaded: ‘The exact location of the rooms hired by Leeds Quakers on Boar Lane is not known, so the entire length of this now very busy street in central Leeds was cycled… minutes record that in 1697 a doorkeeper was appointed “to keep out the rude boys” and to keep the Quaker boys and girls in.’

Friends traversed the tow path of the Leeds to Liverpool Canal and ended their excursion with a well-deserved lunch prepared by Friends at Rawdon Meeting House, a building that dates back to 1697.

Robert told Eye that the Tour de France, which started in Leeds this year, ‘has helped to encourage even more Leeds Quakers to take up cycling.’

This passion for pedal-power has spanned the generations, ‘the children of Carlton Hill were inspired… they have written a potential new Advices & queries number forty-three.’

Try to use different transport to come to Meeting and travel elsewhere. Are you able to cycle or scooter? If this is difficult or impractical, consider walking. Could you help someone else achieve these things? Respect other users of the paths and roads. To keep safe, we encourage you to wear a helmet and high visibility clothing. These actions may improve your health through exercise and lower carbon emissions. Cycling and walking should be an enjoyment and a sociable experience.

The wisdom of the young

Life, the universe, black holes and yogurt… bemused grown-ups overheard some intriguing pre-teen cogitations recently. Jamie Wrench, of Southern Marches Area Meeting, shared the ponderings of ‘E’, aged ten,  and ‘C’, aged eight:

E: ‘If God does exist, why did he create black holes? And, I can understand why he invented death, but why murder?’

An impressively deep philosophical discussion, until…

C: ‘Yes, and why ninety-nine per cent fat free yoghurt? I mean that stuff is just disgusting. And if God really loves us, why did he give us Piers Morgan… and Jedward!?’

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