6th August marks the anniversary of the nuclear attack on Hiroshima (and on Nagasaki three days later). It’s a day to remember the hundreds of thousands who were killed or injured, and to say ‘never again’ to the use of weapons of mass destruction. With the success of the film Oppenhiemer, this year there is a particular opportunity for outreach and opening up conversations about peace.

Quakers in Britain and the Peace Education Network (PEN) have released education materials examining the legacy of early atomic scientists.

Quaker Peace & Social Witness have a range of actions that Friends and Meetings can take to support Nuclear Disarmament.

On Sat 5th August at 12.30pm in Cathedral Square, Birmingham, there will be a short vigil led by CND, followed by readings of poetry and prose, lighting of a candle in remembrance and songs from the Clarion singers.

Quakers in Coventry have long supported the Hiroshima Day Service at Coventry Cathedral, this year taking place at 2pm on Sunday 6th August, in-person and online.

Friends interested in taking action against the wider arms trade (of which nuclear weapons are a part) can join Quaker Roots in resisting the DSEI arms fair in London at the No Faith in War day on Thurs 7th Sept, or the Walk of Witness to arms company HQs on Monday 11th September. There is also a Peace Pilgrimage from Oxford to DSEI 4th – 11th September. Anyone interested in these actions can speak to Pete Doubtfire at the Peace Hub.

Further ahead is a performance in our area of a play called “The Mistake” by Quaker Michael Mears (performed by Michael and Japanese actor Riko Nakazono) about Hiroshima and the events leading up to it. Thurs 12th October 7.30pm Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham (Hexagon Theatre) Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH

Photo credit: Charles Levy, Wikimedia Commons and Quakers in Britain