The 2021 UK Government Census states that 127,856 people live in the built-up area of High Wycombe. In High Wycombe, some 43% are Christian, 20% Muslim, 3% Hindu, 1% Sikh and 32% claim no religion.
Eden Centre Iftar
It’s great when faiths come together and former councillors, Arif Hussain and Nabeela Rana, with Cllr Maz Hussain, this year organised the annual Iftar on Tuesday, 3rd March in Eden. Dozens of guests and dignitaries participated in, or observed, the traditional prayers, before enjoying a meal together.
Mr Hussain writes, ‘High Wycombe is a diverse and proud community where people of different faiths and backgrounds live and work together with mutual respect. We regularly see examples of this through interfaith community events and the everyday interactions that bind our town together. For many in our local Muslim community, prayer is a normal and peaceful part of daily life, and it is something that is widely understood and respected locally.’
It’s wonderful that in High Wycombe, faith and public life can coexist so positively.
The High Wycombe Quaker Meeting
The Friends’ Meeting House, home of High Wycombe Quakers, sits on the London Road, opposite The Rye. Whilst Quakers have worshipped in this building since 1930, they have existed here much longer. Quakers have actually met in the town since 1663. Back then, people were persecuted or imprisoned for worshipping outside the established church, so they met secretly, in their homes.
Given their outlawed worship, Quakers could not be buried in consecrated churchyards, so members of the community acquired a plot in Saffron Platt, adjacent to today’s Railway Place car park, to bury their own. Today, it is known as the Peace Garden, and it’s a lovely tranquil spot worth visiting if you are passing.
In today’s meeting house, there is a beautiful oak elders’ bench dating back to 1660, but worshippers sit on chairs, in an informal circle or in rows. Typically, around 20-30 attend each week. Everyone present is deemed equal, with no pastor or vicar, all known simply as ‘Friends’. Meetings happen 10.30-11.30am on Sundays and the service is mainly a time for peaceful contemplation, to ‘be quiet and still in thy own mind’, according to Quakers founder, George Fox.
The acronym that sums up Quakerism is SPICE. This stands for Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Conservation and Equality. If this sounds appealing, you are most welcome to come along and experience it yourself. For more information, visit quaker.org.uk/meetings/high-wycombe.
