QUAKERS IN NORTH AND WEST CUMBRIA
MORE INFORMATION
The membership of Cumberland General Meeting is relatively small and is distributed widely across what is an essentially rural area. Largely because of this the 'life' of the General Meeting tends to be expressed through activities which are jointly arranged and shared by the two constituent Area Meetings.
An extension committee organises events such as residential gatherings and retreats. It also assists by co-ordinating special meetings for attenders and inquirers, study days and other events of a devotional or social nature. These events are in addition to local fellowship, outreach and ecumenical activities arranged through the preparative and monthly meetings.
The population of the region is a mix of hill and valley farmers and business and professional people, who are mostly residents of villages, former seaports and small market towns or who live in the city of Carlisle.
Many residents of the towns and villages will have retired from full-time occupations while still enjoying active and energetic lives in the community and often contributing in a voluntary capacity to the needs and care of others. A significant proportion of residents consists of offcomers, that is, people who have moved into Cumbria from other places.
The region is rich in associations with the early Quakers, such as former early meeting houses no longer in the ownership of Friends and Quaker burial grounds. Of our present meeting houses several date back to the 17th and 18th centuries while others, such as those in Carlisle and Keswick, which were built in the latter half of the 20th century, have replaced earlier buildings.
As well as farming and some light industry many local businesses cater for the needs of tourists and others who visit Cumbria to enjoy the scenery or to engage in outdoor leisure activities. The memberships of our meetings generally reflect a cross-section of people in the community. Visitors to our meetings are especially welcome.
LINKS TO CONSTITUENT LOCAL MEETINGS:
WEST CUMBRIA AREA MEETING KESWICK COCKERMOUTH WHITEHAVEN PARDSHAW
NORTH CUMBRIA AREA MEETING CARLISLE PENRITH WIGTON MOSEDALE ALSTON RETURN TO: CUMBERLAND GENERAL MEETING (HOME PAGE)