From Malvern to Telford: a peace pilgrimage
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.
I came to Quakers just two years ago, looking for deep reflection into subjects and to find like minded people. I'm happy to say, I found this – and so much more!
Tentative steps
In November 2023, four of Central England Quakers were amongst those arrested and charged whilst protesting against the SDSC Arms Fair held at the International Centre in Telford. My knowledge of the arms trade at that time was scant and my opinions hazy. People were passionately opposed and, while I knew that must count for something, I was unsure exactly what that something was. My feelings on climate justice were growing stronger – but the arms trade? That was a subject best left off my radar.
I quickly began to feel alarm and compassion with reference to these Friends and their like-minded compatriots who were summoned to appear in court for nonviolent protest under new laws which threaten the right to civil disobedience in this country. I began to immerse myself in planning and attending their court appearances, discerning a minute of concern to be sent to area meeting (performing a very steep learning curve in my new role as clerk of our meeting!) and generally becoming more curious about the Quaker peace testimony.
A trial date was made for those arrested, which was cancelled at the last minute, and another made for months afterwards. Would this come to fruition? What would be the outcome? A prison sentence for people peacefully protesting for a peaceful world? My curiosity and concern was growing. I listened to people's accounts of the conduct of business at arms fairs and was drawn to an article in a newspaper which showed photographs of arms traders, going about their business, glamorising death and destruction.
Then someone mentioned a peace pilgrimage.
Feeling my way
My initial response to the idea of a pilgrimage was that I would love to do it. But hang on – why? I like my own space; I'm not good with spending all day, every day with people I hardly know. And, am I physically fit enough? I cycle, but I don't walk that far. I don't have the equipment. Or the clothing. But, most importantly of all, I still know nothing of the arms trade – I don't feel it passionately like everyone else; I would be a fraud, experiencing a guilty kind of walking holiday while everyone else was emotionally involved!
I decided to ease myself into the idea, to educate myself further on the effects and facts of the arms trade and to see how I felt as the plans for the pilgrimage progressed over the following weeks.
I now feel that, at that point, my pilgrimage had already begun. Okay, the physical journey started on 10 September, but my psychological expedition had been progressing in my mind for months before that.
To be a pilgrim
I arrived in beautiful Malvern, Worcestershire on 9 September, loaded down with luggage, but amazingly free from the baggage of preconceived ideas. We greeted our hosts gratefully, helped out where we could, recorded our thoughts for the podcast and retired to bed – a pattern that repeated each evening for the next four days, within wildly differing settings and locations. Without fail over that period, our hosts were enthusiastic, warm, generous and interested in our purpose.
Our purpose: to raise awareness of the disgrace of a mostly unregulated arms industry, which uses all the tricks and devious methods available in capitalist society to wring as much profit as humanly possible from other people's misery. An arms industry that encourages war and violence and starvation in any corner of the world vulnerable enough to sacrifice its population. To lay waste previously fertile land, to destroy towns, cities, forests and farms irrevocably. To release poisons into the air, heating up the planet at a fantastic rate and force people out of their homes to wander the planet, destitute.
Yes, the purpose of our pilgrimage was now tattooed on my consciousness. How could I ever have doubted myself?
Our physical journey took us through sunshine and rain, through town and countryside, along river, canal and road. It took us to a weapons components manufacturer, where we held a vigil outside the gates. We met so many people – strangers and friends, curious, helpful, grateful and frightened for the future. I bonded with my fellow pilgrims and they with me, working alongside each other towards a common purpose, becoming wiser, forgiving and more humorous as we bathed in each other's experiences.
What did I learn? I learnt that a pilgrimage isn't about having all the answers before you set off. It's about listening to the people around you and trying to see things from their point of view in your endeavours to impart your knowledge. It's about appreciating and applauding other people's skills towards making the experience what it is. It's about letting go of ego. And it's about finding joy in living in harmony and peace with one another.
Quakers in Britain will join a coalition of groups resisting the Telford Arms Fair this year on Wednesday 20 November. To get involved you can email faithinaction@quaker.org.uk and visit the campaign website here: www.tinyurl.com/STOPSDSC.