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The Friends Meeting House was opened to the public on 11th September as part of the Heritage Open Days scheme. Visitors were shown around the historic meeting room, dating from 1901, and saw an exhibition of the history of the building and the life of Swindon Quakers.  On 15th September 5 Swindon Quakers joined in the Merchants of Death Walking Tour in London, stopping at 3 arms supplier offices in protest at their trade. The arms trade "operates according to its own rules, largely unscrutinised, bringing enormous benefits to the chosen few, and suffering and immiseration to millions. The trade corrodes our democracies, weakens already fragile states and often undermines the very national security it purports to strengthen." – Andrew Feinstein,The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade. It was a moving witness to our Peace Testimony.  Swindon Quakers took part in Eastcott Window Wanderland in March 2021. Our windows, once again, had an environmental theme. Thanks to Steve Russell for the pictures below.
Swindon Quakers took part in Eastcott Window Wanderland on 28th February - 2nd March 2020. Our windows had an environmental theme. Thanks to Vernon Griffiths for the picture below.  The DSEI (Defence and Security Equipment International) Arms Fair is the largest arms fair in the world, and it happens in London in the second week in September, every 2 years. Opposition to this event is co-ordinated by Stop the Arms Fair https://www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk/ a network of groups and individuals campaigning to put a stop to arms fairs in the UK. A group of Quakers in Swindon plan to attend the 'No Faith in War Day' on Tuesday 3rd of September. As part of our preparations, Quakers around the UK, including Swindon Meeting, have been making 'mini-banners' which will be joined into a big tapestry to be used both on the day and afterwards, around London to highlight DSEI and the impact of the international arms trade. Mini-banners made by Swindon Meeting are pictured below.  And it was very nice to see this one also used as an illustration on an article about the resistance to the arms fair, on the Quaker website. https://www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-events/news/moved-by-faith-to-stop-the-global-arms-fair  On Sunday 3rd November we will hold our Alternative Remembrance Service at 10.30 a.m. in place of our usual Meeting for Worship. We will commemorate the victims of war, those who minister to them and all peacemakers in an hour's quiet music and readings, wrapped in silence. Tea and time to chat afterwards. All welcome.  On Sunday 13th October, following Meeting for Worship, Friends from Oxford Meeting will tell us about their building project to create a new garden room and Quaker centre at the Oxford Meeting House, 43 St Giles.
On Saturday 7th September Swindon Quakers will host a meeting of Quakers from the nine local Quaker Meetings which make up the Oxford and Swindon Area Meeting. The morning will be devoted to business. After lunch, we will hear from Heather Redington, Teacher of Heart Rhythm Meditation.
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