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PEBBLE Minutes - 24 March 2007

• Date: Saturday 24 March 2007
• Location: Oxford
• Time: 11.30am

Present:

• Jacq Dobson (DP)
• Angela Grant (TDN and Web Editor)
• Belinda Winder (PF)
• Rhiannon Williams (PA)
• Martin Williams (PA)
• Clement Jewitt (PA)
• Thorskegga (HFP)
• Jon Randall (PN)
• Steve Wilson (CoBDO)

Further Abbreviations Used Throughout:

• CoBDO : Council of British Druid Orders
• DP : Derbyshire Pagans
• HFP : Heathens for Progress
• PA : Pagan Association
• PF : Pagan Federation
• PN : Pagan Network
• TDN : The Druid Network

MINUTES

1. Apologies for Absence
   Apologies were received from Emma Restall Orr (TDN), Liz Murray (CoBDO) and Circle of Pagans.
2. PEBBLE partnerships
   Following the last meeting, CoA and OBOD were invited to this PEBBLE meeting; however, no representatives from either organisation were present.
   SW agreed to contact Pagan Paths UK and South West Pagans with a view to joining PEBBLE. JD also agreed to contact Pagan Leicester Alliance with a view to joining PEBBLE.
3. 2011 Census
   Jon reported on PaganDash. Currently the ONS have not made any firm commitments but a meeting is being arranged. The ONS are working with a trial census form and after the results of this come back, we can push for the modifications we want. It seems that Pagans are happy to put Pagan with a modifier (Wiccan, Druid, Heathen, etc) down, although many would put Pagan. It was pointed out that the religion question although voluntary had a 92% response rate.
   Most agreed that the best idea, rather than the tickbox, would be the PaganDash idea, so we can quantify each separately and cohesively. PaganDash has support from Pagan Network, Druid Network, Heathens for Progress, Pagan Federation, Derbyshire Pagans and Pentacle Magazine. Each of these groups see the benefit of segregated data, rather than just a tickbox.
   A number of people have already contacted the ethics committee, and there will be an official response from various parties writing to them to say why we need the data.
   All agreed on the need to educate Pagans everywhere regarding putting Pagan on the census.
4. Diversity / Equality
   A statement is to be discussed on the PEBBLE email list, and once agreed posted on the website.
5. Pagan Oaths
   Some difficulties with using the Pagan Oath have been reported back to BW who contacted her liaison in the Dept of Constitutional Affairs. She received further advice for Pagans wishing to take the Pagan Oath and this has been circulated via the PF and PEBBLE websites. MW agreed to draft a letter to send to his local courts, including information about the Pagan Oath and to see what response was forthcoming.
   In addition, BW was to liaise with Northern Ireland equivalent of DCA regarding having the Pagan Oath accepted there.
6. Media coverage of Pagans and Paganism
   It was agreed that, where possible, Pagans organisations would communicate with respect to releasing national Pagan news under a united front.
7. Festival of Remembrance
   BW updated PEBBLE on her contact re the Festival of Remembrance. There seems to be two separate issues here. Pagans who want to march with other ex-servicemen seem to be covered by applying through the Royal British Legion. Faith representatives at ceremonies is more of a problem. We need to publicise for Pagans in and veterans of the Armed Services.
   BW to send round contact details of Royal British Legion.
8. Guide on Religion and Belief in the MOD and Armed Forces
   AG read out information from the above guide. The information was generally well written but there were some inaccuracies. SK to liaise with the MOD and to send round the revised guidance to all PEBBLE members to agree before forwarding on to the MOD.
9. SACREs
   SW has written something for the PEBBLE website and will now send to AG to post. The situation appears to be unchanged, with SW on the Newham (London) SACRE and Andy Norfolk still unable to get onto his local one in Cornwall.
10. Pagan Handfasting
    JD raised the issue of bringing England and Wales into line with Scotland with regard to making Pagan weddings legal. BW agreed to contact DCA regarding the question of Pagan weddings and report back to PEBBLE.
11. Date of Next Meeting
    The next meeting will take place in Birmingham on 29 September 2007.