1st Report from Northern Ireland

On the 8th of August, Bryn Jones, participating in the Pre-Triennial Small Conference on Peace and Reconciliation visited the Quaker Visitors Centre outside the new prison for men just on the outskirts of Belfast. Very impressive work by the Ulster Quakers over the last 30 years culminated last year in their being granted a 5 year contract for providing this service from the Northern Ireland Government. This means that they are no longer dependent on grants and can do some long term planning!. They have just in this one centre a staff of around 37 people, equivalent of about 14 full time positions. More info at end of August on our website. Then we, after a very complex and arduous security check were able to inspect the family visitors area inside the prison and met the Governer. That was in the morning. The afternoon was spent visiting Stormont, the Northern Ireland Houses of Parliament where we had tea with the Speaker and met Members from three parties: one from SinnFein, one from Ian Paisley's Union Party(both sharing power in the Government) and one from the opposition Alliance Party.