York Young Friends

The origins of the York Young Friends Group lie in the concern expressed in 1916 by William Kay of the Oversight Committee that young Friends be given more responsibility within the Meeting and form their own groups. A Younger Members' Committee was set up to foster social activities. The first such group met mainly in New Earswick. It held discussions and study circles, as well as organising cycle rides, camps and tramps, undertaking youth work and distributing peace literature. A recreation room was also opened in the Clifford Street Meeting House in 1923. In 1945, a Young Friends Group was formed in New Earswick to cater for those who were too old for Sunday school and too young for meeting for worship. This was a debating forum for current affairs and was active until at least 1965.