In his latest newsletter, the Quaker Youth Development worker Zephyr reports on a busy spring. Young Friends from Bristol joined Bath YFs to walk one section of the Bath Skyline Walk at the beginning of April. It was a beautiful day for a picnic on Bathwick Hill Fields – it helps that Zephyr carried a rucksack with his own bodyweight in snacks, as he put it. At the end of April, Zephyr supported the Young People’s Programme for Yearly Meeting. If you read their Epistle (on page 14 of the Minutes here), you not only learn what young people get up to at BYM, but you’ll see that the Epistle is signed by Ilana, who used to be part of our Children’s Meeting. No longer in Bath, yet not lost to us!

Then it was straight into organising a camping trip Kelston Roundhill Barn with some of the South-West young people. William Heath lent the wonderful off-grid Old Barn at Kelston and bell tents were provided by Brocks Outdoor Adventures for two days of making campfires, learning basic orienteering and eating well. We had hoped that adults from the Area Meeting would join on the Sunday for lunch and a more-ages art workshop to bring the camp to a close. What actually happened was that only two adults joined us for a picnic on the field with that spectacular view; when they produced multiple kites all thoughts of mindful painting flew away. We are flexible, Friends.

Zephyr relies on a small group of adult Friends to support the youth events, so if you like spending time with 11-18 year-olds, or can offer any other sort of help, please get in touch: zephyrb@quaker.org.uk.