Foxtrot Pilgrimage: Exploring Quaker Heritage

The weekend beginning Friday 13th October, a small voluntary group of Leighton Park Sixth Formers joined other English and Northern Irish Quaker Schools to embark on a journey of history through Lancashire and Cumbria. The trip explored the significant places and ideas of George Fox, founder of the Quaker movement, in the communal, annual ‘Foxtrot’ event that dates back to the 1930’s.

The intensive shared journey brought together our students and staff with other Quaker schools, providing a rich and enjoyable experience in appreciation of Quaker heritage and the values it brings us as individuals and as a community while taking in the breath-taking scenery of the Lakes and Dales. The journey included three days of travelling by foot and by bus, as well as cooking, walks, and talks together. The aim of friendship, community, and the powerful sense of togetherness as a Quakerly group was truly met, with our students enjoying every step of the journey. . Dominic (Lower Sixth) conveyed the impact of the friendships made on the trip, explaining “I really enjoyed getting to know other people who are part of Quaker schools the most. It was really fun to form friendships with individuals who are in a similar schooling setting to us at LP”. The trip followed in the historical footsteps that George Fox and the early Quakers took on their pilgrimage to explore the significant places and ideas that were first expounded in 1652.

At Leighton Park, our Quaker values are at the heart of everything we do, and we aim to inspire our students to take the values with them after their time at LP. Saima Shabir, LP Chemistry teacher, described her experience on the trip, enthusing: “Being in a Quaker school, I wanted to see what George Fox had gone through and experience some of the journeys that he had made in that time. The most enjoyable part of the trip was to stand on Pendle Hill and experience the views of the landscape, which has been around for many hundreds of years. As we were leaving the fell where George Fox had given a sermon, A rainbow emerged at this very moment, which looked stunning and beautiful. Also, taking the students to a traditional chippy to experience authentic Northern scampi and chips in the rain was certainly enjoyed by everyone! As a Muslim, there are many similarities with Quakerism, such as peace, truth, and simplicity. The Quakers are very kind, generous, and openhearted, and it has been a pleasure to have spent the weekend amongst them. I would highly recommend this trip, not only for the history but also for the peaceful surroundings and reflections on a truly magnificent part of the country”.