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the Friend - Independent Quaker journalism since 1843
July 11, 2007
Your inspirational place
Now here's a chance for Friends with a flair for the visual to instil themselves in the national consciousness. The TV programme Heaven and Earth is looking for films which show the most inspirational places in Britain, and the challenge is going out to viewers. If you watch this programme on Sunday mornings (BBC 1) you'll know that the presenter is Gloria Hunniford and she will be introducing the project on the combined Heaven and Earth and YouTube websites (www.bbc.co.uk/heaven and www.youtube.com). There will also be advice from BBC cameramen on filming and editing. Four films will be chosen by a panel at the end of July for screening in August. Which location would Friends choose? Swarthmoor? Brigflatts? According to producer Oliver File 'we're expecting a range of places to be featured - from classic cathedrals to stunning countryside locations or sites of ancient stone circles. And I'm sure someone will be choosing Old Trafford or Lords Cricket Ground as their most inspirational place!\
Did any of you feel a twinge of interest in Joycelin Dawes' entreaty to get on your bikes (and other sporting pursuits) in last week's Friend (paper edition)? Joycelin herself favours good hill hikes and is also a 'Nordic' walker - you may have seen such hikers with their long ski-sticks walking at a cracking pace. Eye did a quick survey in the office and environs to see if any of our colleagues and Friends could be described as sports Quakers. Our new production manager Jez Smith recalls early editions of Young Quaker being awash with sports news. He tells us that regional Young Friends used to play each other at hockey, but he has noted a distinct lack of interest in developing teams. Well, we suppose Quakers as a species don't develop competitive instincts.
Simon Best, the under-19s man who has been seen in whites, is apparently also a big Yorkshire cricket fan, and Jez supports Essex. Warwickshire also attracts Quakers. As for participating in something, Jez finds that 'ultimate frisbee', which he learned to play at a QUNO summer school, is popular at events. The editor hill-walks when she can get away from the computer screen, and also swims - 'very slowly, and quite old people overtake' - and the news editor cycles to work, but generally speaking, not a good tally. Joycelin may have a long campaign ahead to bestir us.
The collaborative online diary of The Friend: independent Quaker journalism from the UK since 1843. Currently in test stage, featuring items from the magazine and other bloggable snippets
