Latest News
A ‘Citizen Income’
Quakers from across Britain will soon be asked to consider supporting a ‘Citizen’s Income’. Friends in South East Scotland have resolved to raise the issue with Meeting for Sufferings, the national committee of British Quakers.
Rough sleepers on the increase
Rough sleeping in England has risen by almost a quarter in the last year, according to official government statistics. Quaker Homeless Action (QHA) has, for some time, predicted an increase in homelessness due to government cuts (see ‘Rise in homelessness expected’, 16 December 2011).
Human rights concerns raised
A Quaker-Managed project has given evidence to the European Council about the abuse of human rights in Palestine.
Shadow children
Thousands of migrant children are living ‘in the shadows of our communities’ as they suffer hunger, homelessness and sexual abuse. That’s the conclusion of a new report by the Children’s Society, which focuses on those whose immigration status leaves them without financial support.
Mennonites move to Selly Oak
The Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham is to have a new neighbour – housing another group rooted in radical Christianity and pacifism. British Mennonites will transfer their main base from London to Birmingham this summer.
Trident beleaguered from all sides
A Quaker is facing imprisonment in Scotland for her protest against what she regards as an unfair trial. Janet Fenton was found guilty of criminal damage on Friday along with fellow peace activist Barbara Dowling. They had sprayed slogans on the walls of a court building in Dumbarton in 2010...
Challenge on ageing
Poetry, research and technology have been brought together by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) as they challenge society to rethink attitudes to growing old. JRF last week launched a series of briefings, a dedicated website and a poem by Andrew Motion, the former poet laureate.
History lessons to be learned
History is repeating itself as the Greek debt crisis mirrors the debt scandals that have affected parts of Africa. That was the message from the Jubilee Debt Campaign as they urged Europe’s leaders to learn the lessons of the past.
Quaker relief worker on new stamp
Joan Mary Fry is one of the ‘Britons of Distinction’ featured in a set of ten stamps released on 23 February. The British Philatelic Bulletin reads: ‘Born into a rich Quaker family in London, Joan Mary Fry grew up to become a Quaker relief worker and social reformer who exercised a...
Northumbria rejig
Friends in the northern county have decided to trial a new format to make their Area Meetings (AMs) more attractive to those who never go. There will only be four AMs per year, held on Sundays, with a new working group meeting monthly to progress routine business matters. However, these...