Eye - 1 February 2019

From 'challenging but awesome' teamwork to youth hostelling

‘Challenging but awesome’

Teenage Friends in London helped Quaker Homeless Action (QHA) set-up the Quaker Open Christmas, which ran from 23 to 30 December 2018.

Anya Nanning Ramamurthy, from the London Link Group for eleven to eighteen-year-olds, told Eye: ‘After a tour of the building we split off to work in groups on different parts…

‘I worked on the food and clothing: sorting cans, folding clothes and creating a small shop.

‘I loved the feeling of knowing that all of us had helped make the Christmas season much nicer for homeless and lonely people.’

Freddie Fricker, one of the youngest Friends involved, told Eye that they ‘made three gigantic human chains to unload all of the food and supplies from the delivery vans’.

He added: ‘It was challenging but awesome at the same time because you knew you were doing something for the greater good…

‘I enjoyed being with my friends – knowing we were doing good work to help people in a distressing situation.’

Anya Nanning Ramaurthy agreed: ‘Everyone there was friendly and a valuable part of the team. The human chain was a highlight of the day for many of us.

‘Without everyone there, this chain would have been a lot more difficult! Kindness can be fun, rewarding and special.’

Augene Nanning, London Link Group adult volunteer, said: ‘This was our third year helping set up. It’s clear that the young people’s support is really valued. Through the day QHA people told me how impressed they were with the young people.

‘In the thank yous at the end of the day a QHA trustee and a QHA volunteer both told the young people, “we really rely on you all now. Without you, this would take so much longer to set up”.

‘I have a lot of respect for these young Quakers. They worked really hard.’

A road trip to Swarthmoor Hall

Amid an avid antique-hunting expedition in the Lake District a recent episode of Antiques Road Trip on BBC One delved into Quaker history.

While visiting Ulverston, in Cumbria, antiques expert Anita Manning spoke to Swarthmoor Hall manager Jane Pearson, who shed light on the origins of Quakerism and the hall’s history.

The episode, which aired on 24 January and is available on BBC iPlayer, treated viewers to a tour of the late-Elizabethan house and described the role that George Fox and Margaret Fell played in the early days of the Quaker faith.

History and hostelling

In its final edition of 2018, the Youth Hostel Association’s (YHA’s) supporters’ newsletter drew attention to the hostel in Jordans, Buckinghamshire, which marked its eighty-fifth anniversary last year.

In describing the hostel, it said: ‘You may not know it, but many of YHA’s first buildings owe their existence to the Quakers – including YHA Jordans.

‘This cheery, traditional hostel was built with funds provided by the Society of Friends. It has been a labour of love for eager volunteers and members since.’

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