Friends shine light on water pollution

‘Untreated sewage from Exeter, flushed into the sea at Exmouth after heavy rain, is of deep concern to both Quaker communities.’

Exeter and Exmouth Friends bore witness to the degradation of the UK’s rivers and seas this month in a silent vigil.

Fifteen Exeter Quakers walked in silence from their Meeting house to the town’s Bedford Square on 1 October. Exmouth Meeting also took their morning Meeting for Worship to the town’s Manor Gardens to bear witness to the threats to the planet.

‘Untreated sewage from Exeter, flushed into the sea at Exmouth after heavy rain, is of deep concern to both Quaker communities,’ said Ian Martin, from Exeter Quakers. The group also witnessed to the ‘stewardship of the Earth, and particularly to our opposition to new gas and oil extraction licences. Our government is rowing back on a commitment to Net Zero in many ways, including in giving new permissions for companies to drill for oil in the North Sea’.

Jackie Waistell, clerk of Exmouth Meeting, said, ‘wearing our distinctive red and white T-shirts, badges and tote bags, we were noticed and challenged! However, we were delighted that others joined us’.

Laura Conyngham, clerk of Exeter Meeting, said: ‘We were celebrating World Quaker Day… Some of those who passed by took time to read our banners, while others hurried on. I found myself holding each of them in the Light.’

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