EARLY Quakers did not observe Christmas nor mark other 'times and seasons'.

They believed that no day was more holy than any other, and believed that each day, and all of life, was sacred.

Today, as with so many things in the Quaker community, there is a full spectrum of practices and responses. There are those who do the full Christian event to mark the birth of Jesus with candles, carols, presents and Christmas pudding, and others who will observe simply and quietly.

There are also those who will choose not to mark this Christmas season in any way, but who nonetheless give daily witness to their faith. This year Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday so Ross Quakers are inviting local people to a half hour of quiet reflection at this turning point, the solstice of the year between 10.30am and 11 am.

The Meeting House is at Brampton Street on the mini-roundabout 100m south from the Co-op store.

There will be followed by Christmas cake and coffee. Everyone, of all faiths and none, is most welcome to join at this time hoping for Peace.

Earlier this year the 400th anniversary of the birth of George Fox, founder of the Quaker movement was celebrated in Ross.

The first Quakers Thomas Goodaire and George Scaife came to Ross-on-Wye in 1655 travelling on foot to the small community of 'Friends of the Truth' that had formed in Ross three years earlier.

After the meeting James Merrick, a local tanner, took the visitors to his home at Brook House (next to the Brampton Street Meeting House and garden) where several of the newly-formed Friends came for further discussion, and decided they would meet there each Sunday.

For 20 years this remained the venue for the weekly meetings for worship in Ross until the first Meeting House was built next door.