In January 1913, Friends in the north of England met in conference at York and decided to set up the Northern Friends Peace Board.
The Minute which launched it stated that its ‘…special duty would be to advise and encourage Friends in the North, and through them their fellow Christians and citizens generally, in the active promotion of peace in all its height and breadth.‘
Many might think it was not a good year to begin such a task. Perhaps Friends think, with the benefit of hindsight, it was the best time to do so.
Today, 107 years later, with the benefit of a full-time salaried co-ordinator, the Board draws on the talents and experiences of Friends and our allies from across the north of England and Scotland to inform, educate and encourage the peace movement in its broadest sense.
Normally meetings comprising representatives from the area are held regularly across the region, often supplemented by a specialist speaker. The meetings co-ordinate, promote and share the many ways the peace message must be presented to everyone, from the United Nations and the Ministry of Defence to primary schools.
The Board produces teaching and information resources, and shares its knowledge and understanding of the peace movement with a variety of concerned bodies, such as schools, churches and voluntary groups. Equally important, it had wide experience to draw on to help identify the many enemies of peace in our society and their well-disguised allies.
The meetings also serve the essential purpose of helping to maintain the morale and hopes of everyone involved.
107 years on and the struggle continues………
William Purser, Forres Local Meeting
NFPB website https://nfpb.org.uk/