First world war exhibition at Chelmsford
Quakers in Chelmsford held an exhibition exploring relief initiatives in peace and war
Chelmsford Friends marked the approaching centenary of the end of world war one with an exhibition that explored Quaker humanitarian relief initiatives in peace and war, and the suffering of civilians.
The exhibition, ’With a Tender Hand’, took its title from the writings of a seventeenth-century English Quaker, Isaac Penington.
In 1667, he wrote: ‘Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against another; but praying one for another, and helping one another up with a tender hand.’
Chelmsford Friends said: ‘Commemorations to those combatants killed will be a central feature of many events this coming November.
‘Sadly, the huge cost in both loss of lives and the suffering of civilians is often forgotten.’
The exhibition, held from 14-16 September at Chelmsford Meeting House, looked at Quaker-related peace initiatives and the service Quaker groups have given to help military and civilians caught up in armed conflict.
An installation of fabric white poppies created by Mid-Essex Quakers was also on display, with material provided for visitors to make their own.
The poppies will become part of the national ‘Collateral Damage’ project in November.
