Quaker exhibition showing response to war is held in Taunton

Quaker organizations staffed ambulance trains in France in the First World War and organized relief work in Europe in its aftermath. In the Second World War teams of relief workers served in Europe and China and at home helped in hospitals and evacuation centres. The men and women involved were often conscientious objectors and had refused to join the armed forces. They were quite willing, nonetheless, to put themselves in situations of risk for which some lost their lives.

In 1947 the Quakers were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their dedicated work for people of all backgrounds in and after the war. The exhibition describes all of this and more with factual accounts, images and human stories.

Witnessing to non-violence is a central aspect of Quaker beliefs. It has led to initiatives for making a more peaceful world such as establishing offices in Geneva and New York to support and influence efforts of the UN and other international agencies. Programmes to help schools find creative ways of dealing with conflicts are a current activity.

This professionally produced exhibition was conceived and produced by the University of Manchester, Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute in co-operation with the Quaker Service Memorial Trust.

Local Quaker, Chris Lawson, who has organized getting the exhibition, explained: "My interest is particularly because my father was one of those who worked on an ambulance train in the First World War. I think this exhibition gives a good survey of all the work done, and still being done, by one group of people in response to all the suffering and problems that wars bring.”

Some of Chris’s records of his father’s experiences will be on display along with information about Quaker work for peace today.

The Quaker Meeting House, Bath Place, Taunton. June 6-11. After Taunton, the exhibition will be in the Minehead Quaker Meeting House June 18-20. Admission to both showings is free.