Still early stages

It's now over 18 months since our Quaker Meeting began thinking about the local implications of the Yearly Meeting Framework for Action 2009-2014. In particular, Friends have been concerned about the right use of our resources, and how we relate to the community around us.

First we discussed in our business meetings, then consulted other users of the building, and finally, with York Area Meeting Trustees, made the commitment to go ahead. The City of York Council gave the green light with planning permission in the autumn of 2012.

Now our Finance and Premises Committees, working hard with our architects, are taking the project forward stage by stage. There are all kinds of sub-groups looking after various aspects. It's amazing just how much expertise Friends are bringing to bear on the work. Architectural experience, financial management, landscape gardening, archaeology, environmental sustainability and communications strategy are all part of the day-to-day project work. A fundraising group has been set up and the countdown has begun to the launch of our appeal in March.

Under the able guidance of our resident archaeologist Friend, Andrew "Bone" Jones, a Friargate Community Archaeology Project has been set up to find out more about the historic site of the meeting house garden, before the builders move in. Apparently, there are already over 50 volunteers signed up to the project.

At the meeting house this week Ailsa Mainman, Director of Research at York Archaeological Trust, gave a talk about the Urban Monasteries of Medieval York. This set the background for the work of the archaeology project. Amazing, just how much of York was owned by the monasteries. Our meeting house is built on the site of a huge 12th century Franciscan friary, L-shaped and extending right down to the river. The inside wall of our Woolman Room is just one of the few tangible reminders of the friary. Knowledge about the friary is limited, so our community team is keen to see if they can add to what is known.