50th anniversary for Stroud Quakers

STROUD Quakers are celebrating this September - half a century of coming together in friendship as a Meeting for Worship.

On Saturday they held a party at Rodborough Community Hall, that brought together old friends and new.

Stroud Quaker Meeting began when Quakers with young children to care for agreed to gather in one another's houses.

That way, there could be someone to look after the children while the adults held their quiet meeting for worship in another room.

Now the children are all grown up.

Some early members of the Meeting have moved away, and new ones have joined.

The group has grown bigger overall, and rents space in Stroud public library on Sundays.

But the tradition of coming together for worship and socialising in one another's houses continues.

And many of the meeting's first members came on Saturday for the anniversary party.

It was a happy occasion for both old friends and newer ones, with plenty of good food, talk and laughter.

Martin and Judy Quick, founder members, lit the candles on the celebration cake.

Mary Brown read out greetings from those unable to attend in person.

Caroline Simpson played Bach on the cello.

Memories were shared, and plans made for the future.

Stroud Quakers continue to be actively involved with Amnesty International, and with raising debate about the role of the military in children's education.

Happy Anniversary, Stroud Quaker Meeting!

And may there be another 50 years still to come.

More information about Stroud Quakers: Frank Bonner bonnfrank@gmail.com (01453) 763603, or Peter Carter cpetercarter@googlemail.com (01453) 878 599.