Year 7 & 8 Visit Quaker Country
After a long gap, pupils in Years 7 and 8 were once again able to visit some of the key sites from Quaker history as they visited Cumbria on their school trip.
Pupils began their day with a group breakfast in the Dining Hall before travelling by coach to the beautiful and picturesque Lake District. Cumbria is often referred to as the birthplace of Quakers and the introduction of the Religious Society of Friends, by visiting Cumbria the girls hopefully garnered a true reflection of the tradition and history surrounding the faith.
Two Quaker members of the School Committee, Margaret Bryan and Julian Pattison accompanied pupils on the trip and were able to give a personal insight and deeper meaning to the experience. “I was delighted to be able to accompany Year 7&8 on their trip to what Quakers call 1652 country – after the founding date of Quakerism. A highlight for me was the visit to Briggflatts Meeting House, one of the oldest in Britain, and the girls all enjoyed meeting Jem the Labrador/dalmatian cross who came with his owner to welcome us!” Margaret Bryan, Clerk to the Committee.
The trip toured various places of pilgrimage, including Fox’s Pulpit situated on Firbank Fell. It was at this location that George Fox would address seekers every Sunday. Keen to re-enact this, the girls climbed to the top and shouted affirmations from above – with some offering words of encouragement or advice, including The Mounts mantra ‘We Know Girls Can.’
After departing Fox’s Pulpit, the group visited Brigflatts Meeting House, near Sedbergh and the Quaker tapestry Museum in Kendal before heading home to reflect on their day.