Female Vicars march to Make Poverty History - Revd. Pam Pennell

600 Female Vicars march to Make Poverty History

I had never been on a demonstration before but on 13 January I found myself marching towards Downing Street with 600 other clergy women – all waving white bands. We were taking part in a ‘Make Poverty History' demonstration which was led by Dawn French (arguably representative of women clergy because of her role as ‘the Vicar of Dibley'). The day began with a short service in St Martin-in-the-Field church in Trafalgar Square where Dawn set the scene with a serious presentation of the consequences of poverty on street children. However, the mood of the procession was far from serious as Dawn had concluded her talk about the importance of this year as one in which Robbie Williams would propose marriage to her (“if he values his life!”).

As we wound our way down towards the Prime Minister's residence we sang and waved to those who had the misfortune to be in the nearby crawling traffic. Hopefully the sight of 600 smiling women with dog collars would have cheered and intrigued them. At the barrier outside Downing Street we tied our white bands to the railings while a delegation entered no 10 and spoke to Tony Blair about our concern to relieve those in poverty of their debt.

It was good to be in an all-female clergy group protesting about problems which we can do much to prevent and so help to transform our world. Meeting Dawn was the icing on the cake and made it a hugely enjoyable day to remember.

600 Female Vicars march to Make Poverty History

I had never been on a demonstration before but on 13 January I found myself marching towards Downing Street with 600 other clergy women – all waving white bands. We were taking part in a ‘Make Poverty History' demonstration which was led by Dawn French (arguably representative of women clergy because of her role as ‘the Vicar of Dibley'). The day began with a short service in St Martin-in-the-Field church in Trafalgar Square where Dawn set the scene with a serious presentation of the consequences of poverty on street children. However, the mood of the procession was far from serious as Dawn had concluded her talk about the importance of this year as one in which Robbie Williams would propose marriage to her (“if he values his life!”).

As we wound our way down towards the Prime Minister's residence we sang and waved to those who had the misfortune to be in the nearby crawling traffic. Hopefully the sight of 600 smiling women with dog collars would have cheered and intrigued them. At the barrier outside Downing Street we tied our white bands to the railings while a delegation entered no 10 and spoke to Tony Blair about our concern to relieve those in poverty of their debt.

It was good to be in an all-female clergy group protesting about problems which we can do much to prevent and so help to transform our world. Meeting Dawn was the icing on the cake and made it a hugely enjoyable day to remember.