Alan Williams

A new article for the BERA Blog about me and @tracy-hayes.bsky.social blended youth work project!

www.bera.ac.uk/blog/bridgin...

This government is more repressive than any other since Thatcher's. Non-violent protest is a common good.

Westminster Meeting House raided by Metropolitan Police again. Statement: “For Quakers, faith and action are inseparable. Peaceful protest, prayer and nonviolent action are integral parts of many Quakers' religious life. Whilst we take the planning of criminal acts very seriously, we believe that this incident is a deliberate targeting of committed young people who want to make our country a more equitable place. This raid is part of a systematic stifling of dissent. That this is the second time in a year that the police have raided our meeting house dramatically illuminates the broader trend in the UK of cracking down on those who disagree with the government. The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy. It's a key part of how people make their voices heard between elections.” – Oliver Robertson, Head of Witness and Worship Quakers in Britain, 5 March 2026

Yesterday evening, for the second time in a year, the Met Police raided Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrested a number of young nonviolent activists.

STATEMENT: www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

Llongyfarchiadau!

'The big shop'- defo Manc

Good luck 🙏 and I hope the people of Gorton & Denton choose hope over hate today.

There used to be called Home Truths which might fit the bill

I'm convinced. Fair play.

Yes, why not? The 2014 Tour de France was a triumph! Col de Blubberhouses and all....

Hi Ian! It's like Twitter in 2014 again!

Yes, we need someone much better to get the job done!

Brilliant! The erstwhile king of literary Twitter, Ian McMillan, is now on Bluesky: @imcmillan.bsky.social

Has anyone investigated whether revealing personal data in the form of email addresses etc to the US government might be in breach of GDPR?

I disagree

Always a good feeling when the first page of full sketch is there

Quakers urge Keir Starmer to act on genocide underway in Gaza Quakers in Britain has written to the UK government, stating their belief that genocide is underway in Gaza and reiterating the call for an immediate ban on all arms sales to Israel.

🕊️ We urge Prime Minister Keir Starmer to act on the genocide underway in Gaza.

The UK must uphold international law, suspend the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement and end arms sales to Israel.

Silence is complicity. 🕯️👇

www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
#Peace #Gaza #CeasefireNow

Wooldale Quaker Meeting House YouTube video by Alan Williams

Last September I worked with #quakers in Wooldale, W Yorks on a 'Listening Composer' project. Some of the music we made can be heard on this lovely video made by Georgiana Ghetiu youtu.be/KbKfEhmaDz8?...

Respect the wide diversity among us in our lives and relationships. Refrain from making prejudiced judgments about the life journeys of others. Do you foster the spirit of mutual understanding and forgiveness which our... https://advicesandqueries.org/2025/06/03/respect-the-wide-diversity-among.html

@thehalle.bsky.social what a concert! Choir and orchestra sounding fantastic. Unsuk Chin's Su was wonderful as we ll.

Quakers ask the UK government on Gaza: What more evidence do you need now? What more evidence do you need now? These are the words of Tom Fletcher, the UN’s head of humanitarian affairs, as he briefed the UN Security Council earlier this week on the fast deteriorating situat...

We have evidence of mass forced hunger.

We have evidence of mass forced displacement.

We have evidence of mass killings.

We have evidence of mass atrocities.

Stop all UK support for Israel's violence in Gaza.

Stop all UK arms exports to Israel immediately.

www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

I'm pretty sure nostril also means nose hole. A thirl ( as in thirlstone) is a hole- a thirlstone is a stone with a hole in it. Nose-thirl, I think, became nostril.

Every academic conference ever

“Er, my question is really in two parts…”

From the new Private Eye, out now.

I'm appalled by this. The criminalisation of protest must be opposed.

Quakers condemn police raid on Westminster Meeting House Police broke into a Quaker Meeting House last night (27 March) and arrested six young people holding a meeting over concerns for the climate and Gaza.

🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

I'm not going "like" this- there's nothing to like about the situation. Gaie Delap = Prisoner of conscience

Croeso!

@robertlaidlow.bsky.social hi Rob!

Stunning concert

I've just come from the hall. Still glowing. Amazing music, fantastic performances.