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the Friend - Independent Quaker journalism since 1843
June 13, 2007
Look away now
The news is often a target for Quaker wrath. Jack Lacey from Rochester PM sent us these verses after a debate with a Friend on the state of the world.
Before Breakfast and After the News The Daily Expert, the Daily Scare, Do I let loose my diatribe - I hardly dare! As I view the Daily Scandal laid bare The world! Before I've washed or combed my hair!
The interview for the selling of a book The newsreaders with their pretending look The Minister not brought to truth or book Driving his or her point by hook or crook.
Who is to deny the corporate lies - I despair? As my pen turns acidly to Bush and Blair That plausible, charming and murderous pair And they not the worst the world doth share!
That leaves but the 'Thought for the Day'! And who shall say that item should not stay? That as she or he of pain and hope doth say It comes - perhaps - that I too should pray?
We recommend a full English breakfast before listening to the news.
Eye was delighted recently to realise that those wonderful 'the Friend' t-shirts are still available, free, to new subscribers who sign up before the end of June.
One is modelled by Jez, our newest recruit, above, although his photographer seems to have been more focused on a good view of the Quaker Street sign than getting a good view of the t-shirt.
You can subscribe through the website at www.thefriend.org for the online version or the paper version. Alternatively, you can visit www.exacteditions.com and sign up for their 'looks like the magazine but is still online' service.
Or, you can call the Friend on +44 (0)20 7663 1178 (dedicated subscriptions line).
Eye is not renowned for philatelic knowledge, but likes to imagine that knowing one's wildings from one's high-value definitives will hold one in good stead.
So, bumping into Quaker Peace & Social Witness volunteer experts was a pleasant surprise recently. Friends from around the country - and indeed the world - send their stamps and albums to Friends House, making sure to exclude first and second class stamps from Christmas. Every so often the bags are sorted and, where appropriate, rarer items are sold to raise funds for QPSW work.
This year, sales are expected to raise over £2,000, with £800 recently raised from sales to a wholesaler and other items being sent off to auction with Bonhams later this month.
The Friend of 12 July 1957 reported that 'Our Friend Stanley H. Pitt of Liverpool holed in one at the fifteenth (141 yards) at the Huyton and Prescot golf course on 1 July 1957'.
We are delighted to announce that Colin George, that consummate performer who has introduced audiences to George Fox with his one-man show, will be casting and directing our production of Two Caravans, the novel by Marina Lewycka, at the Edinburgh Fringe in August (see Eye 25 May) Yes, the editor did give this awesome job to Eye, but we know a professional when we see one, and Colin is our man.
Colin will be ably assisted in this dramatic adventure by his wife Sue, who will stage manage the production. Colin asks that any of you interested in taking part contact him for information on rehearsal times and level of commitment required. (The final date for applications is 20 June.) We are adapting the novel as a reading, which means you will not have to learn lots of lines.
Full rehearsals are likely to be evening or weekend, and take place in Friends House. So if our project appeals to you, please email Colin at editorial [at] thefriend.org or drop him a letter at The Friend.
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
