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