• Our Friend Charles Hodson moved to Somerset, where he and his wife Heike have been doing a massive conversion on a farmhouse.
"Good to hear the Stoke N Meeting is in good shape. It is one of the
things
I do miss now that we are out in Somerset. I am of course fond of my
people
at Taunton PM but it is actually quite a strain to get to Meeting; an
extra
26-mile round trip always seems too much effort when one spends so much
time
travelling. I must admit I do go to the steeple-house in Stogumber
from
time to time on the basis that one really ought to form a faith
community
with one's neighbours and not always be too precious about one's
sectarian
predilections. I do try to go to Westminster Meeting's lunchtime
sessions
on a Tuesday if I can (rarely ... grrr) and get my hit of silent
worship
that way.
Did you catch any of the "Humphrys in Search of God" series on Radio 4?
Well worth having a look at the BBC website if you didn't. I was
struck by
the Quakerish ideas that the Archbish of Canterbury came up with.
As to the house, it is now more or less finished (to the extent that it
ever
will be), rather more so than the garden which seems to inch forward
rather
slowly. We are wondering how to find the last £20k needed to put a
roof on
the barn we rebuilt, 
but the big headline was an award from the
Somerset
Buildings Preservation Trust for being one of the best conservation
projects. Heike must take all the credit; she has now started working
for a
local architect for one day a week, and is also doing a postgrad course
on
architectural conservation at the Univ of Plymouth one day a week.
I'll
tell you in more detail in my dreaded end-of-year letter.
I am bumbling along at work, though am under a slight cloud for speaking
truth to power once or twice too often. Power doesn't always like it
when
you do that, but that's Quakerism for you.
My sons are moving ahead at varying rates and degrees of
success/satisfaction. I share a flat in Bloomsbury with Will so I see
him
often, while Thom should finally be graduating next year, in sha'
Allah.
Getting to the pictures is a bit of a problem because of always working
weekends, though our flat is very near the Renoir so I'm aware of the
film
you mention and thought it looked worth seeing. Heike and I sometimes
go to
a town called Wellington where there's a fine old Art Deco cinema which
mainly shows slightly offbeat stuff while occasionally cashing in by
showing
things like the new Bond flick. Add in a halfway decent curry
beforehand
and you've got an evening of pleasures so simple you don't have to
'fess up
to your oversight group afterwards.
I had a squizz at the website and it does look impressive. It's good
that
people stay in touch, even if they have decamped to Western Australia.
I spend a lot of time trying to work out how I can spend more time in
Somerset and less in London. I think I'd rather miss not going to the
Smoke
occasionally, but I so enjoy my time at home that it is tempting to
give up
quite a bit in order to have that bit of extra lifestyle.
The main event at Preston this year was 8 Labrador PUPPIES. Utterly
gorgeous, but very hard work and tragic to see them all go, even to
good
homes. We kept one yellow gal, though, now a bouncing 5-month-old, so
life
in Somerset is one long Bitches' Ball as she and Dotty careen around
the
kitchen pretending to kill each other.
Nov. 2006
• Oliver Robertson worshipped with us before he went to University in Glasgow. He is currently at the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO). He is also our Friend Ruth Robertson's son.
"It is now two months since I arrived in Geneva to work as a programme assistant on the human rights and refugees desk at the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO), and nearly three since I left Glasgow to do so. My role, while slightly different from the one-year peaceworker jobs run by Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW), was advertised in the same place and my training took place with those peaceworkers going to Britain, Serbia and South Africa. Altogether ten one-year workers met during the two-week preparation period QPSW organised at Friends House in London and Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham, which introduced us to the work done by Quakers in Britain and abroad and helped us to prepare mentally and spiritually for our placements.
QUNO operates out of a house in the north of Geneva, a short bus ride from the UN and other international institutions. It very much has the feel of a house rather than an office: my desk is in the conservatory, next door is the dining room which we use when having diplomats round to dinner, beyond that are the wooden stairs which creak mightily whenever anyone walks on them and out back is a garden with apple and peach trees and a swing.
This doesn’t stop you having to work, however, and a lot of the work I have done so far has involved going to meetings and getting a feel for who does what where and when. I have also been doing lots of reading, mugging up on the issues that QUNO is concerned about at present (these include the situation of women in prison and the children of imprisoned mothers, rights of conscientious objectors and problems faced specifically by refugee women and girls). Like all work it has boring and interesting moments, but the wealth of people with real expertise who want to tell you about these important issues (be it in word or in print) mean the latter definitely outweigh the former.
Nov. 2006.
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RECENT EVENTS
• National Quaker Week 2007
Click here to find out about National Quaker Week 22-30 September 2007.
• Stall at Stokefest 2007
2007 Stokefest was enjoyable, not least due to one of the rare summer days. The Quaker 'Q' subtly nested amongst the stalls, Tippee, Insect circus, art installations and representatives of the multicultural heritage of Hackney. Tea was provided for 'mature friends' under the shade of a big tree creating a scene reminiscent of the film Tea with Mussolini. The sun gave a cheerful lift to the spirit of the event and one smiling passer-by who after listening to an explanation of Quaker meetings, commented that he 'thought Quakers were silent'!
Barbara Taylor
Stokefest is always an enjoyable and looked-forward-to event. This year, 10th June, will be especially memorable because Stoke Newington Quakers suggested inviting a small group of elderly people from Walthamstow Age Link (which I co-ordinate for outings once a month,) to attend the festival and enjoy the fun. Everyone from Quakers who attended helped in various ways.
After Worship I drove to Walthamstow to pick up three ladies, Betty, Doris and Maud, while Kugan (from Walthamstow Sai Baba Centre), picked up Audrey and Ron.
On arrival at Clissold Park, James and Barbara were at the gate to meet and greet, and escort the guests to the trestle table which had been borrowed from St. Mary's Hall, carried down Church Street and placed under a shady tree near to the Quaker stall, while the drivers searched for a parking space. (The traffic wardens were out in abundance that day).
Leasa and I had previously loaded Leasa's car with a prepared picnic, flasks of tea and fruit juice, fold-up chairs etc., so these were ready and waiting when the guests arrived. Leasa and Precious served the refreshments immediately and introductions were made. Precious, who lives nearby, very kindly replenished the flasks of tea as needed.
When I arrived back from parking the car, it was as if everyone had known each other always, so happy were the faces around the table. Someone later pointed out, and I'm not sure who said it, but it was so true, that, in all the wonderful, colourful, noisy, happy, ethnic diversity being celebrated and enjoyed all around us, there was, at that table under the beautiful tree, a snap shot of old England in that tea-party .
A walk around the festival site followed, and was much enjoyed. The weather was June-glorious, with a heaven-sent refreshing breeze. There was so much to see and experience. Our Age Link group thoroughly enjoyed the fun-filled atmosphere in its every diversity.
Back to the Quaker "patch" for a last cup of tea before wending our way through the park to the car. We stopped at the 16th century Old Church which was open in preparation for evensong. The Group were very interested to see inside this little gem, asking interested questions which were informatively answered by those on duty in the church. The church visit appropriately finished off a divine day.
I received more "thank you" phone calls than usual from the Age Link Group, following the Stokefest. The thanks were directed at Stokey Quakers and those who were mentioned by name were: Leasa and Arthur, Barbara, James, Peter, Precious and Woody.
Thank you once again, to all of you who helped to give our little group such a wonderful afternoon.
Vickie Nealis
• Visit to Hoxton Hall
On 1 December 16 of us went to ‘The Bitches’ Ball’ at Hoxton Hall.
Hoxton Hall, still owned by Quakers, but not run by them, used to be a music hall. The theatre space still has that atmosphere. It is surprisingly small, with seating for around 60 (from what I could count) and a minimal performing space on a number of levels.
‘The Bitches’ Ball’ has as its director Mick Barnfather
, who is known as a performer with Théâtre de Complicité, one of the world’s better known physical theatre companies. This was a great recommendation for what, with its rather challenging title - and poster - might not have caught the interest, of me, at least!
It was a great piece. Most of us came out of it saying how much we had enjoyed it.
It is the story of Mary Robinson, a girl from Bristol, who makes it big in London as an actress and , as seemed to be inevitable in those days, as a courtesan, who included the Prince of Wales among her suitors. We see her rise; then her fall, through scandal and paralysis.
Much of the action was conducted as comedy. That said, the shifts of mood, through ecstatic to despairing, were remarkable. Mary Robinson was also a prolific poet and the ending saw her spirit rising out of degredation with her poetry on her lips. I found this very moving; it is for her poetry, which I think was heroic, that we should remember her.
The play was presented as an ensemble piece – with 4 of the 5 actors playing a number of roles. And it was physical theatre, which I discover I find to be a very complex term – so for the moment I will link to what Wikipedia says about it. Perhaps someone who reads this and knows more, would like to contribute?!
We ate beforehand at the Song Que Café, a Vietnamese restaurant recommended by Hoxton Hall. At first they were anxious that we would not all turn up in time, so we were allocated a smaller table - which they added tables to as people arrived (we all did)! Prices seemed modest for what we ate. I’m not sure what makes a dish specifically Vietnamese – as compared, say, to Chinese. I had a large noodle soup with rare steak, which I was told was typically Vietnamese and was good. Friends who ate vegetarian dishes were also pleased.
As a group, we included 5 non-Quakers, 1 Quaker from Ealing Meeting and 2 from Bunhill Fields Meeting (though Molly has been worshipping with us as well recently). Which means, of course, that there were 8 from Stoke Newington Meeting.
We were delighted to have Olive Yarrow with us. She has memories of Hoxton Hall from when she was a very little girl and adolescent. I also discovered during the evening that Precious, one of our Co-Clerks, had lived in Hoxton Hall and participated in their activities, in the mid-1970s.
I enjoyed the evening a lot as a whole. I hope we develop our relationship with Hoxton Hall, a delightful Fringe venue!
I wonder if others who went would care to contribute to this piece?
James Grant.
See reviews by Time Out The Stage
I disagree with James, in that in my view we saw the Fall first. It
wasn't clear
how grave Mary Robinson's paralysis was nor how much of a hearing she
got for
her poetry. Hence I wasn't sure whether the "moral" was
triumph-over-adversity
or pride-goeth-before-a... But the production was fascinating and
impressive
and should be seen by all who can.
Margot Lunnon
I was one of the happy band who congregated at Hoxton Hall to see the performance of the Bitches Ball. The Victorian venue itself, while it was of a later date than the setting of the play, added greatly to the atmosphere.
Initially I was mesmerised by the principal actress Mira Dovreni, playing Mary Robinson. She was on stage while we took our seats, a good fifteen or twenty minutes, probably longer. As a former artist’s model I know how difficult it is to stay still for protracted periods.
The play itself was amazing which, in my opinion, was due almost entirely to the quality of the acting. The staging was quirky and inventive, making great use of props and costume changes. But overall it was the acting, which wasn’t at all the sort of artificial, declamatory acting you often get in the West End - and which is the main reason why I don’t like conventional theatre.
The whole ensemble was magnificent, and I hope to see each individual actor again, but Mira Dovreni was the find of the evening. Physically she reminded me a lot of Gina McKee and she also had McKee’s sort of wide-eyed quality. Overall though it was her natural acting - acting that didn’t seem like acting - that was so compelling. I hope she’ll have a wonderful career and that I’ll get the chance to see her again.
Clodagh Phelan
See a short film with Mira Divreni.
• Quaker Stall at Stoke Newington Festival in Clissold Park on 24
September 2006.
Thank you, everyone who helped with this stall. There were 7 of us
throughout the day.
This year, as well raising the profiles of Quakerism and our Meeting, we were supporting a new website A Star for Darfur, publicising the
dreadful situation in that region. In this we were helped by Joe Jenkins,
one of the originators of the website.
We were placed in a group of stalls slightly away from the main
activities, so there was a slow start. However, as the Park filled up,
more people came to see us.
During the afternoon we sold 26 fundraising Dafur badges/ribbons and
obtained 76 signatures on a petition - to be sent to the UN. Beyond that
Joe and his parents handed out hundreds of leaflets providing information
about the situation in Dafur.
And there were a good number of people interested in Quakerism.
It was a lovely sunny day and the park was pretty full. However,
because it is a big space this was not uncomfortable. There was a wide range of good food on sale. And an interesting Festival programme. At one stage we found ourselves
near two sets of entertaining drummers, who generally managed a good
marriage between their styles.
The light across the park in the early evening was quite dreamlike. All
in all a good experience. A good Stokefest 2006!
James Grant
We sold several tea towels as I remember. Oh, and the only copy of Quaker Faith & Practice. Dialogue with local North London Action for the Homeless, Bouverie Road.
Chat with two ex-pupils of the Quaker School in Saffron Walden who enjoyed their education. Everyone who took part were volunteers, I understand.
Vicki Nealis.
The new Quaker Posters (which have lots of information about Quakers on the back of beautiful pictures/Quaker sayings) disappeared like hot cakes,especially the one with the dove of peace. Several teachers were particularly delighted with them.
As usual, the Quaker teatowels (Two Donkeys; Historical Quakers) sold well, and also their display, along with the Quaker posters, attracted people to the stall.
Several enquirers had previous Quaker connections, eg a woman who had 2 Quaker grandfathers; another who had enjoyed a LEAP course as a teenager, and two men who had attended Quaker schools.
Lots of people, including the stallholders next to us, said,"Quakers, I've never heard of them before!" So, perhaps it was a good thing we were there!
Over a dozen people (aged 10 months to over 60!) had fun making Stars for Darfur, using Joe's ingenious origami method, and multicoloured paper.
Ann Carline Gilks
Please send our regards to all at the meeting
The picture attached doesn't really show the room fully. It's over two levels, a main part and then a balcony upstairs. You can see it is the old style, wooden benches, arranged so that the first two are facing each other and the rest are arranged similar to the houses of parliament I think. They have nice long red velvet cushions on them and are wider than church pews so they are comfortable. The room is heated so it is warm, but not sleep inducing. Apart from the red cushions, everything else in the room, the walls, and the benches are painted a soft grey-green, a very pleasing colour that makes the red stand out, and also the people, the view through the window, all seem enhanced by the quiet reassurance of the paint. It's the sort of muted shade that makes you want to think in bright colours.