While Armed Forces Day celebrations were being held around our county, a silent witness for peace was held in Bury St Edmunds.

Those passing by Angel Hill in the west Suffolk town on Saturday would have seen the Bury Quakers, as they held their silent vigil.

This was not a protest, explained member and media officer Jill Segger. Rather, this was a chance to express the wish for an alternate means of settling conflicts.

“We have the greatest of respect for our armed forces. I think they are courageous, resilient and well-led – but it is a shame that they are needed at all,” said Ms Segger.

The Bury Quakers said they were hoping to invite people to reflect on alternative solutions to conflict. Image: Jill SeggerThe Bury Quakers said they were hoping to invite people to reflect on alternative solutions to conflict. Image: Jill Segger (Image: Jill Segger)

She explained that the purpose of the silent witness for peace was to invite reflection on the possibility of investing more money and resource on the idea of ‘unarmed forces’ might mean.

By this, she said, the Bury Quakers mean conflict resolution and peace-making. This could include economic aid, the cancellation of debt, assisting developing countries in building civic societies and humanitarian aid after natural disasters and armed conflicts.

Additionally, they would like to see more frequent discussions of peace-making in primary schools and continuing this through to higher education.

The Bury Quakers are hopeful that in the future, more time and money can be invested in peaceful resolutions to conflict. Image: Jill SeggerThe Bury Quakers are hopeful that in the future, more time and money can be invested in peaceful resolutions to conflict. Image: Jill Segger (Image: Jill Segger)

Ms Segger said that the Bury Quakers had taken inspiration from a public statement issued in 1987 by quakers from New Zealand, a time when many quakers were making submissions to a government committee reviewing the country’s defence policy.

Ms Segger said that the Bury Quakers believed particularly strongly in the following lines:

“We must start with our own hearts and minds. Wars will stop only when each of us is convinced that war is never the way.

“We may disagree with the views and actions of the politician or the soldier who opt for a military solution, but we still respect and cherish the person.”