Our stories
As Quakers we believe that faith is expressed through action. Quakers and Quaker meetings live out this belief in their communities. We share these stories here.
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Displaying all 32 stories
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From Malvern to Telford: a peace pilgrimage
Solihull, UK
Lorna Foster from Solihull Meeting reflects on her experience on a peace pilgrimage from Malvern to Telford to raise awareness of the arms fair due to be held there.
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Three counties campaign against an arms fair
Malvern, UK
Mike Davis shares how Quakers in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire took part in campaign against the arms fair in Malvern.
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Sanctuary Everywhere to Loving Earth
Dunblane, Perthshire
Susan Mitchell of Dunblane Meeting picks up the threads between migration, climate change and war.
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Conscientious objection: taxes for peace
London, UK
Quaker and one of the Peace Tax Seven, Robin Brookes, explains how working for a world without war led to his involvement with Conscience and the campaign to spend taxes for peace.
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A memorial and a catalyst: creating Pity of War
Clun, Shropshire
Jan Arriens describes how one Quaker's concern for civilians affected by war has resulted in a new charity launching on Hiroshima Day 2020.
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After the arms fair: a Quaker reflects on conscience, arrest and privilege
London
Bradford Quaker Rosie Horsley joined a day of faith-led action outside one of the world's biggest arms fairs. Here she shares what happened next.
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Hosting an open-house peace event during Armed Forces Day
Salisbury, Wiltshire
In 2019, Salisbury city hosted a three-day celebration of all things military. Kathrine Sealey shares how local Quakers provided a peaceful counterpoint.
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Spiritual preparations for stopping an arms fair
Hull, Yorkshire
Sam Donaldson, a Quaker and seasoned anti-arms trade activist, calls on Quakers across Britain to 'let us see what love can do!' ahead of the DSEI arms fair.
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Nailsworth Quaker Meeting create a community peace garden
Nailsworth, Gloucestershire
Rebecca Stapleford, Warden for Nailsworth Quaker Meeting, shares the story behind Nailsworth Quaker Meeting's new Peace Garden.
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Helping schools develop restorative practices
West Sussex
Vanessa Young, a member of Blue Idol Area Meeting, works with schools to help teachers create a restorative environment where conflicts are resolved peacefully.
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Putting peace on the careers agenda
Wilmslow, Cheshire
When Gill Alcock realised her daughter's school was hosting military themed activities, she started looking for opportunities to promote peace
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Exposing the arms expo
Hereford, Herefordshire
Quakers joined others to oppose the Defence and Security Expo in Hereford. Every delegate received a lily with a message of peace attached.
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Leicester weekly peace vigil
Leicester, Leicestershire
Leicester Quakers maintained a weekly peace vigil for 40 years, holding fruitful conversations with passers-by.
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Laying a wreath for remembrance
Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Stevenage Quakers worked with their Mayor and British Legion branch to lay a wreath of red and white poppies at the local Remembrance Sunday service.
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Nonviolent change in Rwanda
Rwanda
In a Turning the Tide group in Rwanda, one woman shares her story of personal transformation.
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Poppies at Cavell memorial
Inverness, Inverness-shire
Children from Inverness Local Meeting leave a wreath at the memorial to Edith Cavell every year.
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Direct action against nuclear weapons at AWE Burghfield
Hull, Humberside
Sam Donaldson joined Quakers and others to close down AWE Burghfield, the nuclear bomb factory outside Reading.
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Conscientious objection past and present
Bath, Somerset
Bath Quakers held an exhibition, a talk and a play to raise awareness of conscientious objection to challenge the veneration of war.
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DIY gun amnesty
Keighley, West Yorkshire
When the McConnell family returned to Britain from a country affected by real war, they found a creative response to the children's attraction to toy guns.
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My daughter’s conscientious objection
England
A Quaker parent, and school governor, reflects on a painful struggle challenging militarism at their daughter's primary school.
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Challenging media bias on militarisation
Leicester, UK
Four Quakers questioned the uncritical depiction of militarism in a BBC Radio 4 piece about the expansion of cadet forces in state schools.
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Mourning victims of war in Inverness
Inverness, UK
Quakers in Inverness take part in a monthly public vigil to mourn all victims of war and conflict.
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Peace is the best medicine
Bristol, UK
How medical professionals worked together to raise the alarm about nuclear weapons
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Vigil against renewal of Trident
Bury St Edmunds, UK
Bury St Edmunds Quaker Meeting carried out a silent vigil to protest against the possible replacement of Britain's Trident nuclear missiles.
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Stop the arms fair: Doing it for Hilly
Thirsk, UK
When Anna Botwright of Thirsk Quaker Meeting joined the 'Stop the Arms Fair' demonstration in 2015, her thoughts were with her daughter.
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Witnessing for peace on Armed Forces Day 2015
Guildford, UK
When Armed Forces Day came to town, John Morris and other Guildford Friends wanted to challenge it.
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An Over the Top performance highlights military influence in schools
Birmingham, UK
Lynn and David Morris are Quakers and actors. They produced 'Over the Top', a play highlighting the militarisation of schools and the strong passions it can provoke.
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Opposing drills in a primary school
Sidcot, UK
Nicola Havercroft of Sidcot Meeting challenged the unquestioned involvement of the military in her daughter's primary school.
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Wheel Stop Trident
London, UK
A group of young Quakers formed Wheel Stop Trident in early 2015. They use their bikes to protest the renewal of Trident – Britain's nuclear weapons system.
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Creating the Teach Peace Pack
Wilmslow, UK
A Quaker shares what inspired her to push for the creation of a pack of peace education resources.
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The courage of our convictions
Edinburgh, UK
South East Scotland Quakers stand for peace on Armed Forces Day 2015 as part of their concern about increasing militarisation of society.
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Peace Hub – Quaker Peace & Justice Centre
Birmingham, UK
In November 2014 Central England Quakers launched Peace Hub in Birmingham. It seeks to be a centre to engage people with peace and justice work.
