This event has been cancelled.

On Monday 24th June 13 of us left Ludlow in a minibus for the National Memorial Arboretum where we were to witness the unveiling of The Pity of War sculpture. It was a lovely day, if not rather hot. There were 11 friends from Ludlow Meeting , Jeff Beatty and Sarah Davey from Almeley Meeting and Sandra Evans from Ludlow Methodists. The Mawley Minibus was very comfortable, the traffic not too bad and the scenery beautiful

The sculpture is tucked amongst the trees in a tranquil area in front on a small, and growing, oak tree. Joyce Gee had thought about an oak tree when she first drew Friends attention to the fact that there were no memorials specifically for the civilians suffering in war and conflict. The Pity of War statue stood covered in a velvet blue cloth awaiting the ceremony.

As people started to arrive we saw that there were a lot more than we had expected. As the sun began to peep through the clouds it got very hot and many found a space in the shade under the trees.

We had words from Kit Byatt, explaining all about the project, then Peter Walker, the sculptor spoke about his passion for the project.

Linda Hale then read this heart moving poem.

Where did Peace go?

I am a child who loves peace.
I believe in peace – always.
And then I saw something on TV,
Something not expected at all.

I saw on the screen war and destruction.
I saw children sleeping in tents.
They had lost the embrace and the protection of their parents.

I saw schools and parks
Empty of children.

I wept at what I saw and went to the source of love – my father.
I asked him, “where did peace go?
Where are schools and parks?
Where is medicine and where is food?
Who burned the olive branch?
And who killed the doves?

I call on all to bring our childhood laughter back
And to make my dreams of peace become real.

Sawsan Alshamiri
Aged 10

Jan Arriens and Right Rev. Bishop Michael Ipgrave both then spoke, but everyone was careful about the length of their address. Then the school children from St Stephens school Fradley, sang a beautiful rendition of ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon, conducted by Cathy Lamb – it was very moving.

Then it was time for the unveiling which the Lord Lieutenant Ian Dudson did with the children and Barbara Mark.

The day was splendid, visitors from near and far attending, all different faiths and backgrounds to come together to acknowledge this memorial for the unknown, nameless and voiceless civilians who are affected by war and conflict throughout the world. I got to meet Joyce Gee’s sons Lloyd and Paul.

A group of friends from Ludlow slipped away to the Service Memorial next door to have a few minutes Meeting for Worship.

Here are Maureen and Jenny from Ludlow Meeting.

Here is the Pity of War Southern Marches group with Peter and Katie Walker. They are Jan Arriens, Kit Byatt, Barbara Mark, and Jeff Beatty. Unfortunately Linda Hale had left for a cool down.

Right Rev. Bishop Michael Ipgrave and Lord Lieutenant Ian Dudson with Peter Walker

There is now another article on the Quaker website here: https://www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-events/news/pity-of-war-sculpture-unveiled-at-national-memorial-arboretum

After much discernment, and a great deal of time spent planning and considering options, Southern Marches Area Meeting has now arrived at a resolution which we think will ensure the future of the Pales as a place of great spiritual and historical significance to Quakers*.  With the support and approval of Friends Trust Limited, The Pales was gifted to the Welsh Charity Addoldai Cymru (AC) The Welsh Religious Buildings Trust in July 2023. Quaker burials, interments and scattering of ashes in the Pales Burial Ground are safe guarded by the Deed of Transfer. AC is keen that other Quaker gatherings, for example Fellowship Days and the occasional Meeting for Worship can take place, with their prior approval.  It is hoped that Friends might be involved in other community activities based at the Pales such as gardening days and pilgrimages.   All enquiries about the Pales should now be directed to Addoldai Cymru, The Welsh Religious Buildings Trust.  

Christine Moore, Trust Manager,  writes

“As many of you will know, the Trust has to date acquired 10 Nonconformist chapel buildings across Wales and as the 11th building within our care, the Pales’ future will be secured for the Welsh nation. It will continue to be an accessible asset for many years to come, both to the local community and to Quakers, a new chapter in the life of this historic building. The Trust receives a small grant from the Welsh Government (CADW) that supports our day-to-day management, but we also rely on donations and membership of the ‘Friends of Addoldai Cymru’. If you are interested in supporting us, please find more information about subscription on our website:

To arrange use of the building in the future, please contact Addoldai Cymru at post@addoldaicymru.org or 01656 734940.

Yours sincerely Christine Moore, Trust Manager”

WELSH RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS TRUST

SALEM CHAPEL, PICTON STREET, NANTYFFYLLON MAESTEG, BRIDGEND, CF34 OHH www.welshchapels.wales

Registered Charity 1084030 | Company Limited by Guarantee 3870343 Registered in Wales For more details about the background of gifting the Pales to  AC see the article in The Friend published  4^th August 2023

The local ecumenical ‘Caring for Creation’ group will be marking Earth Day on April 22nd by hosting an exhibition of panels from the Quaker Arts Network entitled The Loving Earth Project. The project celebrates some of the wonderful things threatened by growing environmental breakdown: people, places and creatures. It is helping people to engage creatively and constructively with these issues, without being overwhelmed. It’s also a way to share positive examples of change and why people have taken action for the sake of love for our beautiful planet.

The exhibition was of 50 panels from the Quaker Loving Earth project, four from an Area Meeting weekend away where children decided what they wanted to say , and three from crafters local to Ludlow. It was displayed at Ludlow Methodist Church in Broad Street in the cafe area and church, where there was good footfall already and which was close to the town centre of Ludlow. It ran from Friday 21st to Tuesday 25th April and was stewarded by people from Quakers, the Methodists and St Laurence’s Anglican Church ( who had an art exhibition already booked when this idea was first considered).

It proved to be very successful. There were 30 to 40 people per day who visited, which was due to a wide advertising plan. All the Loving Earth project cards and books on sale went and many gave donations to the exhibition. There were very interesting conversations had and a range of panels chosen as peoples favourites. Lots of feed back forms now need to be looked at and considered toward any further action which the group can do.

Barbara Mark.

Crynwyr Cymru – Quakers in Wales (CCQW) have set up a website full of information about the activities of Quakers in Wales.

Click this link to visit the site, which is available in English and Welsh.

Please click here.

The text of the talk given by Jan Arriens at Almeley Wootton on 30th September 2022 is available from the SMQuakers website. A video of the talk is being edited and will be available shortly.

Please click here.

Epistles from 2022 Yearly Meeting and 2022 Junior Yearly Meeting have been added to the web site and can be found on the Welcome page.

Herefordshire Seasons 
A series of greetings cards depicting the changing seasons in Herefordshire is now available. 

Full details are available by clicking here.

The idea of the cards came from the photos posted at the end of Zoom Meetings for Worship. Please let other people know about the cards. Net proceeds will go to charity.

Friends from Brecon Quaker Worship Group held a silent vigil at the Peace Garden in Brecon on Sunday 14th November 2021.