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News of our success with the local paper (see May issue, Bahá'í Journal UK, p14), tempted Barney Leith to visit the island for four days in April to look up his family roots - which turned out to be even more extensive than Barney had thought.
Media releases were sent out, accommodation and appointments were arranged. Barney and Erica were able to stay at North Court, the Leith's old family home, a beautiful Jacobean manor house, at Shorwell. The present owners made them very welcome, and the local vicar courteously pointed out family memorials and mementos, some quite historic, while he showed us around the village's lovely old St Peter's church.
A meeting at the Council's Education Department led to discussion on ways in which Bahá'ís might contribute to religious education in the island's schools. We were invited to participate in the coming five-yearly RE curriculum review, and to mount an exhibition at Council-sponsored major RE Spring Festival for the Millennium next year - probably in April. Then we were asked if we could help with RE teachers after-hours training sessions, and if we could do that, could we provide a qualified speaker - preferably a geneticist - for a sixth form conference next year on Science and Religion? ... And speakers to schools ... and help with sessions of collective worship - always a sensitive issue - would be appreciated!
After a useful meeting with the Council's library operations manager, we met local MP, Dr Peter Brand. Dr Brand asked many questions about the situation in Iran and complimented us on our letters to him: they were always courteous, he said, and always concerned about other people - never asking something for ourselves.
A kind offer to help with Barney's visit, from the Council's Head of Community Services, to whom we had written earlier about Millennium celebrations, led to our meeting with the Chairman of the Island County Council. He happily pointed out that he had received the Catholic and Anglican bishops on the previous two days, and now he was receiving the Bahá'ís. He had heard of the Indian temple, and said Dr Brand had spoken to him about the Bahá'ís in Iran. We met him the following week - at the Army Presentation Team's "do" - where several people asked us about the Faith.
A visit to Dimbola Lodge, Freshwater, now the home of the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust - proved interesting. Cameron was an early pioneer of photography and a close acquaintance of Lord Tennyson who had lived close by. Barney was amazed to discover he had holidayed in the house when young, and had pictures of features since demolished - the curator drooled.
The curator wanted to know all about the Faith and mentioned that Dr Benjamin Jowett, who had described the Faith as "the greatest light that has come into the world since the time of Christ" - had had a house just opposite Cameron and Lord Tennyson!
After all this, a couple approached us, said they couldn't help overhearing the conversation and "was Barney the gentleman who had come to the island to look up his roots" - they had read the article about him in the West Wight Beacon."
A meeting with the Bahá'í community and contacts rounded off a full programme. When we have got our breath back on the island, we shall look forward to other visits ...
Andrew Gash
Earlier this year Kay Hughes visited Guernsey giving a real boost to the Bahá'í community and in particular, its schools project.
Kay took assembly and classes at a boys college, grammar school and two secondary schools. It was obvious that the pupils' interest was stimulated by their response, their laughter (in the right places) and the many intelligent questions which they asked. The teachers also showed a keen interest with discussions in the staff rooms following the classes, one teacher remarking that the Assembly on "The value of truth" was the best she had attended for a very long time.
More opportunities to discuss the Faith occured at a public meeting entitled "Psychological and spiritual approaches to stress". Among the guests were psychologists, psychology students, a dentist and a man suffering from "road rage".
Kay also held a Training Institute during her stay which the friends found both interesting and helpful. Kay hosted a Nineteen Day Feast and joined in our celebration of Naw Ruz.
We are grateful.
Edna Sweet
After much preparation, the Guildford Centenary celebration took place in a beautiful new community centre next to the Kings Manor School. This proved to be the ideal venue for a gathering which included the Mayor and Mayoress of Guildford, Bahá'ís and their friends and associates from local organisations, and other faith groups. The evening started with an "icebreaker session" so that late arrivals were greeted by a happy humming of conversation and laughter.
The beautiful exhibition, a labour of love involving a lot of cutting and sticking of Bahá'í history calenders, which snaked down one side of the room was subject to intense scrunity by many of the guests. The exhibition covered many aspects of the Faith, including 'Abdu'l-Bahá's visit to the UK, especially to Woking and Byfleet; the Oxford College where Shoghi Effendi was educated, the Guardian's Resting Place in London and the participation of local Bahá'ís in international events.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was local Assembly Chairman, David Lovell, who after welcoming everyone gave a brief introduction to the Faith. David mentioned that in addition to commemorating the Centenary, Guildford's Assembly was celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year.
Two members of the first Guildford Assembly were present - Edgar Boyett, who with his late wife Pearl, came to settle in Guildford in 1965, and their first declarant, Carolyn Branson (now Neogi).
Edgar spoke of the establishment and development of the community since 1965 highlighting the declaration of our first local believer, the establishment of Assembly status in April 1973, the Incorporation of the Assembly in November 1997, and the successful University of Surrey Bahá'í society which ran for many years until lack of Bahá'í students meant that it could no longer operate.
Philip Hainsworth then gave a brief summary of the birth and growth of the Faith in the United Kingdom and its achievements during this (Bahá'í) century. Philip told how the service of dedicated souls from this country had contributed much towards the growth of the Faith within the world. It was Philip who had introduced Pearl and Edgar to the Faith at the Portsmouth Temple of Spiritualism in 1954 - so this was one of the many happy connections.
A short address was given by 15 year old Victor Kiri junior. He spoke of his experience as an isolated Bahá'í youth, the conflict between Bahá'í activities and his school football team, and his fond memories of his early Bahá'í friends Max and Sasha Starr, now living in Dubai.
The Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Keith Childs, visibly moved by Victor's presence on the day of Nigeria's elections, spoke in a very favourable way of what he had learnt about the Faith during his year as Guildford's "First Citizen".
The event called to mind many wonderful friends who have gone on to serve the Faith in the far corners of the world including the Falkland Islands, New Caledonia, Hong Kong, Australia, the Americas, South Africa, Portugal and the World Centre or the 'Abhá Kingdom.
Approximately half of the 50 friends and guests attending the evening were declared Bahá'ís.
Suggestions were offered concerning areas where efforts can be made to systematically reach the minorities in teaching campaigns. Among many other practical considerations exists the need to establish a dignified research library in the United Kingdom, the need to focus attention on the prominent role of youth, and the need to develop youth activities further to include a stronger deepening component. Attention was also drawn to the education of junior youth which requires particular attention, including the development of appropriate literature and a network of support systems to ensure comprehensive consolidation for all ages, from the cradle to the grave.
In a mature and wonderfully loving spirit, and with 100% delegate participation in the elections, delegates and friends welcomed in the new National Spiritual Assembly.