A week ago, around 80 of us arrived at Bootham School for Yorkshire Friends\u2019
\nHoliday School 2019. Although old friends were reunited in the opening gathering, it
\ncan be daunting for new attendees and a range of welcome games including
\n\u201cHuman Bingo\u201d and \u201cPin the Bow on Elspeth\u201d helped to make everyone get
\nintroduced.<\/p>\n
\nOur first social on Sunday evening saw us meet our Nest Groups, a source of
\nnourishment, sustenance and laughter throughout the week. We drew each other
\nwith our non-dominant hands, and make lego models of our Nest Group, as we
\nsettled into getting to know one another.<\/p>\n
\nOur theme for the week, Creative Action, underpinned all of our morning sessions.
\nAbigail Darton led the session on Monday, challenging us to consider our reactions
\nto different forms of art, including photographs of viruses and code, and discuss how
\ncontext gives meaning. In a highly interactive session, we had a chance to talk to
\nmany more participants as we got to know one another.<\/p>\n
\nOn Tuesday, we welcomed Miriam Lyons to show us her documentary Love
\nCommandos, about a charity in India that protects love couples from honor killings.
\nThe film was at times harrowing, but reminded us of the power of people to make a
\ndifference and to not give up hope.<\/p>\n
\nOn Wednesday we split into different groups to carry out a morning of \u201cCreative
\nAction.\u201d Some of us made \u2018Cycle Bags\u2019 for schools, some explored the theme
\nthrough creative writing, and some designed banners for the Peace Vigil which took
\nplace in York on Friday afternoon in Free Time. We appreciated a chance to \u201cdo
\nsomething\u201d as well as finding out about actions, and it provided a good break in the
\nsessions.<\/p>\n
\nThursday\u2019s session was led by Ben Slack, who talked about the Swan Song
\nproject, Ben had an idea to benefit people at the end of their lives and their relatives
\nby helping them write a song. He told us how he made this idea grow and many of
\nus were moved by the songs he shared and empowered to take forward our own
\nprojects. Although this session was again challenging for us, it showed us how we
\ncan celebrate life even in tragic circumstances.<\/p>\n
\nOn Friday, Abi Horsfield led us to consider how she has used her creativity to help
\npeople in her travels around the world doing Community Drama. She challenged us
\nto speak our truths on our \u2018soap box\u2019 and commit to one small change we can each
\ndo in the year ahead. The theme seemed to fit together well this year, with a good
\nrange of sessions linked by common threads to consider.<\/p>\n
\nThroughout the week our days are book-ended by Meeting for Worship in the
\nmornings and Epilogues at the end of the evening social time. In the silence we have
\ntime to reflect, to consider both Holiday School and our lives outside it, and draw
\nstrength in what is a tiring and exhilarating week.<\/p>\n
\nThis year\u2019s Potted Sports focussed on a \u201cHealth and Safety\u201d theme, which managed
\nto be both entertaining and fully risk assessed. Free time activities like the Peace
\nVigil and opportunities to learn the dances are appreciated, as is the chance to just
\nrelax and catch our breaths \u2013 and to frequent the Tuck Shop. Activity Groups this
\nyear included discussion groups, sewing, film club, jigsaws, drama and dungeons
\nand dragons \u2013 providing a chance to get to know people outside our Nest Groups
\nand pursue our own interests.<\/p>\n
\nWe return to our normal lives tired but refreshed, challenged by our theme and
\nspeakers, and with friendships we will carry through the year. We have been
\nreminded of what is important, and what we can do about it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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