UMB - Unitarian Meeting Bristol, Brunswick Square,
WL - Women’s League, WA - Wedding Anniversary,
IM - In Memoriam, tba - to be arranged,
tbc - to be confirmed
Sunday 2nd
FRENCHAY 10.30 am The Minister
UMB 6.00 PM The Minister
Flowers - Ms G Willamson
Teas - Mrs S Wildman
Mon 3rd REDLAND MAY DAY FAIR, Redland Green 11 am - 4 pm
Helpers and contributions welcome!
Sunday 9th
FRENCHAY 10.30 am Mr ROBERT FINCHAM
NO SERVICE AT UMB
Monday 10th
FRENCHAY 6.15 pm - 7.45 pm Meditation group
Thursday 13th
Poetry morning - ‘The countryside’
Sunday 16th
FRENCHAY 10.30 am The Minister
UMB 6.00 pm The Minister Flowers - Mrs S Bartlett
Teas - Mrs F Webster
Preceded by UMB congregational meeting and tea at 4.00 pm
Wednesday 19th
UMB 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Women’s League and friends - ‘Bring and Buy’ plus a gardening afternoon
Thursday 20th
UMB 7.30 pm - GROUP AGM
Saturday 22nd
Western Union meeting at Bridgwater church, 10.30 am
Sunday 23rd
FRENCHAY 10.30 am Mr GERALD WITCHER
UMB 3.00 - 5.00 pm ‘BRIGHT LIGHTS’
Monday 24th
FRENCHAY 6.15 pm - 7.45 pm Meditation group
Pre-launch meeting for Interfaith Day Festival.
6.30 pm - 8.30 pm. Bristol Council House
Sunday 30th
FRENCHAY 10.30 am Mr DAVID WRIGHT
UMB 6.00 pm Congregational service, led by Mrs Anna Sherman
Flowers - Miss J Lambert
Teas - Mrs O Jennings
On fifth Sundays at UMB we hold a "congregational service" which means that we all bring something to contribute to the service. This could be a poem, reading, picture, object, anything that you find meaningful and would like to share with the rest of us.
The theme for the next fifth Sunday service is "Gratitude." Your contributions are welcome on this theme but do not feel obliged to restrict your contribution to this theme. If you have found something recently that you have found meaningful you are welcome to bring it along. Or you may have an old favourite that doesn't quite fit the theme...that too would be a welcome addition to the service. Finally, you are not obliged to bring a contribution, your presence amongst us is enough.
Anna and Julia will be there to open and close this service, which is usually about 30 minutes in length.
Dates for June
Saturday 5th
Western Union AGM at Bridgwater church 10.00 am
Sunday 6th
Frenchay 10.30 am The Minister
UMB 6.00 pm The Minister Flowers - Mrs O Jennings IM
Teas - Mrs R Raitt
Monday 7th
FRENCHAY 6.15 pm - 7.45 pm Meditation group
Sunday 13th
FRENCHAY 10.30 am TBA
NO SERVICE AT UMB
Friday 18th - Sunday 20th
Group weekend at Great Hucklow
BRISTOL GROUP AGM
The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Bristol Group will be at 7.30 pm on Thursday 20th May 2010 at UMB. If you wish to propose a resolution at this meeting please send it, with the names of proposer and seconder, to me as soon as possible.
Please note that it is only practicable to supply minutes to those who either attended or sent apologies to the previous meetings.
Women's Advisory Council to the United Nations Association
I attended the WAC meeting at the Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London on 3rd December 2009. Suzanne Long was in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were passed and I would like to record that in the executive meeting of 17th June 2009, great concern was expressed at the plight of Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition party who is under house arrest in Burma. There was also concern over many issues in Africa.
There were two speakers at the meeting. The first was Bernadette Vallely, Chair of the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN), She said that she was not concerned with climate change denials. There was no doubt that flooding was increasing in Britain and worldwide. Between 1970 and 2005, 26 million people lost their homes. In all national crises women fared worse than men. Some reasons were: lack of credit to start again, lack of documentation, and being unable to drive - 80% of the people left behind in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina were women. Cycles of malnutrition are created after flooding because of the lack of food and fresh water. Children born during times of floods and disasters miss out on school. Cultural restrictions (clothing) can hamper women from escaping. Many women in the Tsunami disaster could not climb trees. After disasters women are often victims of rape. In areas of drought such as sub-Saharan Africa, women may be affected and this is often the main source of protein for women - the men have meat. In many cities women and children are suffering from air pollution. They are more likely to have to walk and breath fumes. Bernadette recommended that we read Al Gore’s “An inconvenient Truth” - there are at least 200 things we can do to save the planet.
Bernadette gave out pamphlets on WEN which supports research information and campaigns for a better world such as growing our own food and being alert to the threat of chemicals.
The second speaker was Fiona Dear of ”stopclimatechaos”. She and a friend were going to attend the Copenhagen conference. She was also helping to organise the WAVE on Saturday 5th December. Everyone was to wear blue. No doubt she was disappointed with the outcome of the conference.
There were two speakers at the meeting. The first was Bernadette Vallely, Chair of the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN), She said that she was not concerned with climate change denials. There was no doubt that flooding was increasing in Britain and worldwide. Between 1970 and 2005, 26 million people lost their homes. In all national crises women fared worse than men. Some reasons were: lack of credit to start again, lack of documentation, and being unable to drive - 80% of the people left behind in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina were women. Cycles of malnutrition are created after flooding because of the lack of food and fresh water. Children born during times of floods and disasters miss out on school. Cultural restrictions (clothing) can hamper women from escaping. Many women in the Tsunami disaster could not climb trees. After disasters women are often victims of rape. In areas of drought such as sub-Saharan Africa, women may be affected and this is often the main source of protein for women - the men have meat. In many cities women and children are suffering from air pollution. They are more likely to have to walk and breath fumes. Bernadette recommended that we read Al Gore’s “An inconvenient Truth” - there are at least 200 things we can do to save the planet.
Bernadette gave out pamphlets on WEN which supports research information and campaigns for a better world such as growing our own food and being alert to the threat of chemicals.
The second speaker was Fiona Dear of ”stopclimatechaos”. She and a friend were going to attend the Copenhagen conference. She was also helping to organise the WAVE on Saturday 5th December. Everyone was to wear blue. No doubt she was disappointed with the outcome of the conference.
A turning point
Many Unitarians will be aware that since 1977 the ministry of our national denomination has been open to all, regardless of gender, race, colour or sexual orientation.
Since then, the General Assembly of Unitarians has been opposed to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in all walks of life. This has given individual congregations the opportunity to offer ceremonies in our Unitarian places of worship to bless the relationship of same sex couples.
Due to the autonomous nature of our Unitarian communities, it is up to each of them to decide on their policy regarding meetings/services that may be held in their buildings.
Several years ago, Unitarian congregations were asked by the Unitarian General Assembly whether they were willing to hold blessing services for same sex couples in their churches.
Our Meeting House in Brunswick Square agreed at that time to this proposal.
However, this was, and still is, a difficult and sensitive issue for some of our members.
I am personally happy to let you all know that after a very fruitful meeting at Frenchay chapel on March 24th 2010, that both our meeting places in Bristol [Frenchay and Brunswick Square] are now open to all, [as above] in full fellowship. Frenchay members, by a considerable majority, voted as follows:
"In accordance with the consensus of the wider Unitarian movement on equality and inclusion, we, the members of Frenchay Chapel, affirm that full fellowship in our church is available to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people, including rites of passage as the law currently stands."
The meeting which included 17 members and several regular attenders, was led by Judy Ryde, a long time Unitarian from Bath.
Our thanks must go to her for her skilled facilitation which enabled everyone's view to be heard, followed by gentle, affirming dialogue.
And my thanks to all of you for sharing your views and personal stories.
Lindy Latham - Minister
Since then, the General Assembly of Unitarians has been opposed to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in all walks of life. This has given individual congregations the opportunity to offer ceremonies in our Unitarian places of worship to bless the relationship of same sex couples.
Due to the autonomous nature of our Unitarian communities, it is up to each of them to decide on their policy regarding meetings/services that may be held in their buildings.
Several years ago, Unitarian congregations were asked by the Unitarian General Assembly whether they were willing to hold blessing services for same sex couples in their churches.
Our Meeting House in Brunswick Square agreed at that time to this proposal.
However, this was, and still is, a difficult and sensitive issue for some of our members.
I am personally happy to let you all know that after a very fruitful meeting at Frenchay chapel on March 24th 2010, that both our meeting places in Bristol [Frenchay and Brunswick Square] are now open to all, [as above] in full fellowship. Frenchay members, by a considerable majority, voted as follows:
"In accordance with the consensus of the wider Unitarian movement on equality and inclusion, we, the members of Frenchay Chapel, affirm that full fellowship in our church is available to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people, including rites of passage as the law currently stands."
The meeting which included 17 members and several regular attenders, was led by Judy Ryde, a long time Unitarian from Bath.
Our thanks must go to her for her skilled facilitation which enabled everyone's view to be heard, followed by gentle, affirming dialogue.
And my thanks to all of you for sharing your views and personal stories.
Lindy Latham - Minister
Response to Tenebrae service
A number of us gathered at the Frenchay Chapel on Wednesday 31st March, for a Tenebrae service led by Yvonne Aburrow and Karl Stewart. These are Christian services taking place in the days leading up to the crucifixion on Good Friday. They are centered around meditation and prayer and begin with the lighting of nine candles. During the service these are extinguished one by one to symbolise the descent of Christ, and the world, into darkness and despair. The meditations and readings were interspersed with hymns, some of them Taizé in origin. When only one candle, symbolising Christ remained alight, a loud crash was heard representing the rending of the veil of the temple.
The Unitarian nature of the service came from its emphasis that we must acknowledge the dark, angry aspects of life and of our own natures in particular. Without this we cannot be at peace with ourselves and those around us in working for a better world. The diversity of readings, ranging from St John of the Cross, to the Gospel account of the events in the Garden of Gethsemane and closing words by a Unitarian Universalist, highlighted the Unitarian nature of this service.
We found this a very thoughtful approach to Easter for Unitarians and we are grateful to Yvonne and Karl for this service.
Peter and Susan Wildman
The Unitarian nature of the service came from its emphasis that we must acknowledge the dark, angry aspects of life and of our own natures in particular. Without this we cannot be at peace with ourselves and those around us in working for a better world. The diversity of readings, ranging from St John of the Cross, to the Gospel account of the events in the Garden of Gethsemane and closing words by a Unitarian Universalist, highlighted the Unitarian nature of this service.
We found this a very thoughtful approach to Easter for Unitarians and we are grateful to Yvonne and Karl for this service.
Peter and Susan Wildman
From the desk
The group AGM will take place at UMB on Wednesday 20 May. Please make every effort to be there. Some matters which are very important to the future of the Group will be discussed and decisions must be made.
Arnos Vale Cemetery, with its Unitarian connections of Mary Carpenter and Rammahon Roy, has been in the news in the last few days as after more than ten years of restoration work it has been officially reopened. This was a project with which our late friend Keith Iles was heavily involved for a number of years.
Our thanks from UMB to our long term friend and one time regular attender Eunice Pullen, now in Weymouth, for her generous gift for chapel funds.
A slight emphasis towards graves and cemeteries is apparent in this issue so one further item must be noted. On 16th May after the service at UMB, there will be an update on the art work which is being planned for the redeveloped burial ground behind UMB - to be known as 'Brunswick Square Gardens'.
PETER WILDMAN
Arnos Vale Cemetery, with its Unitarian connections of Mary Carpenter and Rammahon Roy, has been in the news in the last few days as after more than ten years of restoration work it has been officially reopened. This was a project with which our late friend Keith Iles was heavily involved for a number of years.
Our thanks from UMB to our long term friend and one time regular attender Eunice Pullen, now in Weymouth, for her generous gift for chapel funds.
A slight emphasis towards graves and cemeteries is apparent in this issue so one further item must be noted. On 16th May after the service at UMB, there will be an update on the art work which is being planned for the redeveloped burial ground behind UMB - to be known as 'Brunswick Square Gardens'.
PETER WILDMAN
Bristol Interfaith Group
The AGM was well attended and current Officers were reelected. Thanks are due to Bannerman Road Synagogue for providing the venue without notice. Many more people might have appreciated the excellent account by Gavin de Costa of the evolving attitude of the Roman Catholic Church to Inter Faith Dialogue. Please note that there will be a "Pre Launch" meeting on May 24th for the Inter Faith Festival scheduled for November 21st.
For interest, below is my report to the AGM on my year as President of BIFG, which gives an idea of the range of our activities.
Chairperson’s Report to the BIFG AGM:
“It gives me great pleasure to present this report, not least because it means that we are still operating, still in business, still promoting inter faith events and opportunities within Bristol. It is, I believe, a matter for pride that comparatively few people can promote significant opportunities, greatly assisted by their friends and supporters. Events in the year included:
Diverse Open Doors in November promoted by Bristol Inter Faith Forum, when our members were able to choose from a number of options. I chose to visit the Siokh Gurdwara in St George and the Hindu temple, preferring to spend quality time at two rather than hasty visits to more venues.
The December Winter Celebration was again held at Friends Meeting, Hampton Road, by kind invitation. Faiths participating included: Bahai’s , Buddhists, Christians, Jewish, Muslim, Pagans, Sikhs and Unitarians. The many candles provided a moving centre point to the contributions presented from a circle of chairs.
The Lord Mayor’s Civic Celebration took place on 18th March at Bristol Council House and included members of the faiths already mentioned plus some Hindus. Some 150 people attended and it is hoped that the current Lord Mayor will renew the invitation in 2011.
The Day Festival, booked for 21st November 2010 at the City Academy, Russell Town Avenue, has involved three BIFG members at various planning meetings over the past six months.
A pre-launch meeting for this event, with refreshments, will be held on Monday 24th May at Bristol Council House from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Finally, it has been a privilege to be part of these historic events and to be part of planning for the future. Thank you all”.
BERNARD OMAR, President 2009/2010
For interest, below is my report to the AGM on my year as President of BIFG, which gives an idea of the range of our activities.
Chairperson’s Report to the BIFG AGM:
“It gives me great pleasure to present this report, not least because it means that we are still operating, still in business, still promoting inter faith events and opportunities within Bristol. It is, I believe, a matter for pride that comparatively few people can promote significant opportunities, greatly assisted by their friends and supporters. Events in the year included:
Diverse Open Doors in November promoted by Bristol Inter Faith Forum, when our members were able to choose from a number of options. I chose to visit the Siokh Gurdwara in St George and the Hindu temple, preferring to spend quality time at two rather than hasty visits to more venues.
The December Winter Celebration was again held at Friends Meeting, Hampton Road, by kind invitation. Faiths participating included: Bahai’s , Buddhists, Christians, Jewish, Muslim, Pagans, Sikhs and Unitarians. The many candles provided a moving centre point to the contributions presented from a circle of chairs.
The Lord Mayor’s Civic Celebration took place on 18th March at Bristol Council House and included members of the faiths already mentioned plus some Hindus. Some 150 people attended and it is hoped that the current Lord Mayor will renew the invitation in 2011.
The Day Festival, booked for 21st November 2010 at the City Academy, Russell Town Avenue, has involved three BIFG members at various planning meetings over the past six months.
A pre-launch meeting for this event, with refreshments, will be held on Monday 24th May at Bristol Council House from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Finally, it has been a privilege to be part of these historic events and to be part of planning for the future. Thank you all”.
BERNARD OMAR, President 2009/2010
From the minister
Wordsworth said:
“I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o’er vales and hills……
And all at once I saw a crowd, a host of golden daffodils…..”
Well, I wasn’t exactly wandering, unless sitting in Alison’s* car, driving up from Wales to Nottingham counts. We certainly enjoyed the roadside daffs, but the real crowd was when we stopped at a service station on the way to the National Unitarian Annual Meetings.
Marks & Spencers did it for me. There they were in the buckets. Daffs. Crying out to be bought. Crying out to be made special. And there was me thinking how I would love to have a bunch in my student room at Nottingham University during our meetings. Those bleak impersonal rooms so easily brought to life with the wonder of a few flowers.
So I bought a bunch and later popped them in a coffee mug.
But they didn’t last long in my room. I soon spotted that there was a lack of fresh flowers in the auditorium for our anniversary service – in the early morning worship room – so with a few technical difficulties overcome, those few daffs made their mark, moved around and brought joy to many. I thought about bringing them home, and wondered if they would survive the journey, so the sight of hardworking staff at the University, cleaning silver in the dining room, encouraged me to give the flowers to them.
I was surprised and delighted at how they received this gift of beauty, so cheaply bought… “no- one has done this before” they said, really appreciating this simple gift so easily given.
So don’t let us underestimate our simple gifts. They may seem small to us, but they have incredible power to transform lives.
See you soon... With my love...
Lindy
“I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o’er vales and hills……
And all at once I saw a crowd, a host of golden daffodils…..”
Well, I wasn’t exactly wandering, unless sitting in Alison’s* car, driving up from Wales to Nottingham counts. We certainly enjoyed the roadside daffs, but the real crowd was when we stopped at a service station on the way to the National Unitarian Annual Meetings.
Marks & Spencers did it for me. There they were in the buckets. Daffs. Crying out to be bought. Crying out to be made special. And there was me thinking how I would love to have a bunch in my student room at Nottingham University during our meetings. Those bleak impersonal rooms so easily brought to life with the wonder of a few flowers.
So I bought a bunch and later popped them in a coffee mug.
But they didn’t last long in my room. I soon spotted that there was a lack of fresh flowers in the auditorium for our anniversary service – in the early morning worship room – so with a few technical difficulties overcome, those few daffs made their mark, moved around and brought joy to many. I thought about bringing them home, and wondered if they would survive the journey, so the sight of hardworking staff at the University, cleaning silver in the dining room, encouraged me to give the flowers to them.
I was surprised and delighted at how they received this gift of beauty, so cheaply bought… “no- one has done this before” they said, really appreciating this simple gift so easily given.
So don’t let us underestimate our simple gifts. They may seem small to us, but they have incredible power to transform lives.
See you soon... With my love...
Lindy
General Assembly 2010 - Nottingham
Thank you so much to the congregation at UMB for allowing me to attend GA 2010 as your delegate. It was an exhilarating, at times overwhelming experience. Attending the General Assembly has given me a much broader view of the Unitarian movement nationally.
Personally, I feel buoyed up by all the enthusiasm for the Unitarian movement that bubbled through all the various meetings that I attended on your behalf. By the way, do we call ourselves a denomination or a movement? Do we want to amend our lengthy title of “General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches”? The debate continued at GA, as it has done in The Inquirer and elsewhere for some time.
In addition to attending all of the business meetings, I attended workshops led by the Worship Panel, the National Unitarian Fellowship (NUF) and the Association for Lay Ministry (UALM). Spiritual refreshment was found in the Quiet Room, walking a labyrinth, and attending a Taizé service. There was more on offer, but that was about all I could manage!
Our new president, Neville Kenyon, spoke of the theme for his presidential year, which is “Nurture your freedom.” In his inaugural speech, he emphasised that a crucial difference between us and other religious groups is that we are free, free from creeds, free to worship, free to change our beliefs if we should so choose.
Finally, a challenge from GA: Is Unitarianism just a “cosy club” where we can be with friends in a safe place? Or can we step outside our comfort zone and welcome the new? If we don’t, as a denomination in severe decline, Unitarianism may disappear altogether. Sobering words, indeed.
Anna Sherman
Personally, I feel buoyed up by all the enthusiasm for the Unitarian movement that bubbled through all the various meetings that I attended on your behalf. By the way, do we call ourselves a denomination or a movement? Do we want to amend our lengthy title of “General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches”? The debate continued at GA, as it has done in The Inquirer and elsewhere for some time.
In addition to attending all of the business meetings, I attended workshops led by the Worship Panel, the National Unitarian Fellowship (NUF) and the Association for Lay Ministry (UALM). Spiritual refreshment was found in the Quiet Room, walking a labyrinth, and attending a Taizé service. There was more on offer, but that was about all I could manage!
Our new president, Neville Kenyon, spoke of the theme for his presidential year, which is “Nurture your freedom.” In his inaugural speech, he emphasised that a crucial difference between us and other religious groups is that we are free, free from creeds, free to worship, free to change our beliefs if we should so choose.
Finally, a challenge from GA: Is Unitarianism just a “cosy club” where we can be with friends in a safe place? Or can we step outside our comfort zone and welcome the new? If we don’t, as a denomination in severe decline, Unitarianism may disappear altogether. Sobering words, indeed.
Anna Sherman
Election Day
The proudest now is but my peer,
The highest not more high;
To-day, of all the weary year,
A king of men am I.
To-day alike are great and small,
The nameless and the known
My palace is the people’s hall,
The ballot-box my throne!
Who serves to-day upon the list
Beside the served shall stand;
Alike the brown and wrinkled fist,
The gloved and dainty hand!
The rich is level with the poor,
The weak is strong to-day;
And sleekest broadcloth counts no more
Than homespun frock of grey.
“ELECTION DAY 1852” by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER
The highest not more high;
To-day, of all the weary year,
A king of men am I.
To-day alike are great and small,
The nameless and the known
My palace is the people’s hall,
The ballot-box my throne!
Who serves to-day upon the list
Beside the served shall stand;
Alike the brown and wrinkled fist,
The gloved and dainty hand!
The rich is level with the poor,
The weak is strong to-day;
And sleekest broadcloth counts no more
Than homespun frock of grey.
“ELECTION DAY 1852” by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER
Epitaph found
The wording of this epitaph was found by Sylvia Bartlett of UMB when ‘Sorting’ her garage! Does anyone know about this lady? Presumably she was Unitarian , working in the Lewin’s mead Mission and buried in the Brunswick Square Burial Ground - she may even be in one of the graves recently discovered in the present work going on to restore the burial ground and which the City Archeologist is investigating. Any information welcome.
FROM THE OLD CHAPEL IN BRUNSWICK SQUARE CEMETERY.
'IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF JULIA ELIZABETH VENNING
Whose spirit found glad expression in endeavors to teach the young, to aid the suffering and to uplift the sad amidst the abodes of poverty and pain.
The friends who shared her regard and honoured her work, pursued with constancy for more than fifty year within the Lewin’s Mead Domestic Mission, unite faithfully in commemorating a warm heart and a faith unfeigned.
She was born June 30th 1811 and entered into rest June 27th 1890
FROM THE OLD CHAPEL IN BRUNSWICK SQUARE CEMETERY.
'IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF JULIA ELIZABETH VENNING
Whose spirit found glad expression in endeavors to teach the young, to aid the suffering and to uplift the sad amidst the abodes of poverty and pain.
The friends who shared her regard and honoured her work, pursued with constancy for more than fifty year within the Lewin’s Mead Domestic Mission, unite faithfully in commemorating a warm heart and a faith unfeigned.
She was born June 30th 1811 and entered into rest June 27th 1890
Women's Advisory Council to the United Nations Association
24th March 2010
I attended this meeting in London as the representative of the National Women’s League. The speaker was Felicity Aston, leader of the Commonwealth Women’s Antarctic expedition in 2009. This expedition was symbolic, showing how ordinary women could overcome challenges. Out of 800 applications, she took a group of 20 to Norway for final selection. Some of the women had never seen snow let alone experience temperatures of -20C. Finally she selected 8 young women from: New Zealand, India, Singapore, Brunei, Jamaica, Cyprus, Ghana and UK. The lady form the UK was a fitness instructor and was chosen to take Felicity’s place should an emergency arise. The women’s jobs included: pilot, trekking guide, kick-box instructor, Foreign Office civil servant, IT specialist, magazine editor and Caribbean think tank worker. They were chosen not only for their outdoor skills, but also for their ability to work as a team.
Back in their own countries they had to find ways of training be it running up tower blocks, pulling a sledge along a beach or skiing in the Himalayas. They created a web site to keep in touch, met once in New Zealand and finally in South America from where they were flown into the Antarctic. They were helped by a number of companies and foundations, but the principal sponsor was Kaspersy Lab, a global security firm. They got off to a bad start when some of their tents were damaged in a storm and Kim from Jamaica had to go home with frostbite. However they got underway in the everlasting daylight and were on skis for 38 days. They skied in single file, each one pulling a sledge with Felicity at the back to look for signs of stress or injury. The routine was very strict - 90 minutes skiing, 7 minutes rest for eating drinking and toilet. They had 7 hours sleep in tents every 24 hours. When they camped everyone had a specific role, such as melting snow for drinks. Troubles had to be shared and everyone was allowed one bad day. They covered 20 - 25 kilometres each day and after 15 days there was a break when supplies were flown in. They kept in touch with base camp by satellite phone - 48 hours without contact would have launched a rescue.
The second half of the journey was harder as they were climbing 10,000 feet to the South Pole. There were no wild animals or birds to see and the wind and snow formed dangerous drifts. All the women found ways of coping with mental strain, from prayers to body movement. Finally they reached the Amudsen-Scott American base at the South Pole and were greeted with cheers. They hugged each other and were proud of their multi-cultural achievement. Two were the first people from their countries to reach the South Pole and two the first women - now they are visiting schools and inspiring women to achieve their ambition.
SUSAN WILDMAN
I attended this meeting in London as the representative of the National Women’s League. The speaker was Felicity Aston, leader of the Commonwealth Women’s Antarctic expedition in 2009. This expedition was symbolic, showing how ordinary women could overcome challenges. Out of 800 applications, she took a group of 20 to Norway for final selection. Some of the women had never seen snow let alone experience temperatures of -20C. Finally she selected 8 young women from: New Zealand, India, Singapore, Brunei, Jamaica, Cyprus, Ghana and UK. The lady form the UK was a fitness instructor and was chosen to take Felicity’s place should an emergency arise. The women’s jobs included: pilot, trekking guide, kick-box instructor, Foreign Office civil servant, IT specialist, magazine editor and Caribbean think tank worker. They were chosen not only for their outdoor skills, but also for their ability to work as a team.
Back in their own countries they had to find ways of training be it running up tower blocks, pulling a sledge along a beach or skiing in the Himalayas. They created a web site to keep in touch, met once in New Zealand and finally in South America from where they were flown into the Antarctic. They were helped by a number of companies and foundations, but the principal sponsor was Kaspersy Lab, a global security firm. They got off to a bad start when some of their tents were damaged in a storm and Kim from Jamaica had to go home with frostbite. However they got underway in the everlasting daylight and were on skis for 38 days. They skied in single file, each one pulling a sledge with Felicity at the back to look for signs of stress or injury. The routine was very strict - 90 minutes skiing, 7 minutes rest for eating drinking and toilet. They had 7 hours sleep in tents every 24 hours. When they camped everyone had a specific role, such as melting snow for drinks. Troubles had to be shared and everyone was allowed one bad day. They covered 20 - 25 kilometres each day and after 15 days there was a break when supplies were flown in. They kept in touch with base camp by satellite phone - 48 hours without contact would have launched a rescue.
The second half of the journey was harder as they were climbing 10,000 feet to the South Pole. There were no wild animals or birds to see and the wind and snow formed dangerous drifts. All the women found ways of coping with mental strain, from prayers to body movement. Finally they reached the Amudsen-Scott American base at the South Pole and were greeted with cheers. They hugged each other and were proud of their multi-cultural achievement. Two were the first people from their countries to reach the South Pole and two the first women - now they are visiting schools and inspiring women to achieve their ambition.
SUSAN WILDMAN
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