A FOREST Quaker says her group was prevented rom placing a wreath of red and white poppies during the official Remembrance ceremony at Lydney on Sunday.

Amelia Shafer-Rutherford said: “Members of my local Religious Society of Friends meeting in the Forest asked the RBL in Lydney, well ahead of event, if we could lay a mixed wreath as a show of solidarity with both the Royal British Legion (RBL) and the Peace Pledge Union. On the day we were advised not to do so to so in case of ‘possible trouble’.

Stan Rudge, local Poppy Appeal organiser told the Review: “We were contacted and I said I’d look into it as people living in Lydney complained last year about a white wreath being laid. It wasn’t a problem to RBL but a lot of people don’t like it as it’s an anti-war gesture. To me, the red poppy represents all those who lost their lives in war, including pacifists, many of whom were killed, for instance acting as stretcher-bearers.

“On Sunday a group of people came to me and said ‘if they lay a white wreath there could be trouble’.”

It was unclear to Stan whether these people were threatening to cause trouble themselves, but he took advice from the police who suggested the Quakers returned later in the day to avoid confrontation.”

Amelia added: “I went to this service with my family and fellow Quakers, keen to acknowledge and remember the loss and sacrifice of combatants and non-combatants. My family are long standing supporters of the Poppy Appeal and our close family served throughout the Great War and World War Two, defending free speech and democracy.

“We waited patiently and respectfully outside, when asked to do so, until everyone had gone into the church service. When we came to lay the wreath we were told by Mr Rudge that there could be ‘possible trouble’ if we did so, and that the police were present.

“He offered a number of helpful alternatives but, as Quakers, our intention was not to be divisive, antagonistic, combative, disruptive or intrusive and so we withdrew. We made no effort to dispute this advice.

“We then attended the service and were made welcome. The service emphasised peace as the desired outcome for all nations and people in warfare. In the light of the day’s events though, the idea of reconciliation seems ironic.

“To be obstructed not by RBL, church or local establishment but by a perceived threat of mob rule is heart-breaking in such divided times.”