Open-air Friends

David Mason reflects on a camping experience that offered a combination of two loves

When I first became a Quaker some eight years ago I found out about the ‘Quaker Campers’ – and then promptly forgot about them. Some years later, when I rediscovered camping – but of the more comfortable type suitable for campers with a well-worn body and needing frequent trips to the bathroom – I managed to combine these two loves and joined the Quaker Campers in their annual camp. This year the annual camp was held at Watlington on the edge of the Chilterns in Oxfordshire and I found a great feeling of Quaker camaraderie.

Our stay in our motorhome was bounded on both sides by other commitments, so we whittled our visit to only four nights, instead of the week available.

We were warmly greeted by the clerk, Chris, and after parking up, were invited by the organiser, Jacqui, to participate in refreshments in her tent whilst the order of the day was explained.

The weather was a mixture of typical British July, with a hot sun and showers, but that didn’t daunt the enthusiasm of the merry band of some thirty or more Quakers enjoying an open air ‘Meeting for Worship’ every morning at a very civilised time of 9.30am.

One morning it was raining so heavily we crammed into one member’s tent and awning. It was cosy but there was a lovely, peaceful atmosphere and one was reminded of the early Quakers who met in the Fells in a circle and enjoyed the natural sounds and smells of the countryside. Several people, including me, had brought their dogs and they sat, docilely and quietly, next to their owners enjoying the spirit of Meeting.

We had great walks along the Ridgeway and on one such walk we set out anticipating a pub lunch halfway along the seven mile stroll, but some very sensible people had brought along food for their families, just in case. It was just as well because, alas, in this part of the country pubs do not seem to be open seven days a week. The shared lunch that ensued reminded us of the parable of the five loaves and two fishes, with the dogs enjoying the scraps.

When we left there were about sixty Quakers, half of whom were children aged from four to seventeen and half a dozen dogs for good measure. In conclusion, I thoroughly recommend the Quaker Campers. They have been going for about forty years and are a well organised and very friendly group.

Next year we will attend for the full week!

Further information: quaker.campers@gmail.com

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