A Wokingham poet in his 80s contributed his poems to the pacifist remembrance event held in the churchyard of All Saints Church.
The poet read his poem In Memoriam, which was written in memory of a distant relative who died in 1916, aged 19. Another of his poems was read by Lorraine Hodgson.
Fifteen people gathered in the churchyard’s quiet area, by permission of the Wokingham church’s Rector last Friday (November 11).
Those there included parishioners from local churches and members of peace groups, including The Peace Pledge Union. Christine and John Hayes of Wokingham Quakers read two prayers and some poems. The event was for people of all faiths or none.
The event’s organiser David Chapman of Wokingham said: “We laid a wreath of white poppies under a holly tree in memory of people have died or who are dying on all sides in all wars.
“I mentioned the pacifists in Ukraine and Russia who together are calling for the war in Ukraine to cease and for negotiation and resolution to be sought using ways other than indiscriminate killing.”
Pacifists believe in non-violent resolution of disputes.
“We remember all victims of war, all nationalities, civilian and military people. We are about challenging war and militarism. We wear a white poppy for peace,” Mr Chapman had said earlier.
