A NEW exhibition at Riverside Gallery, Haverfordwest, celebrates Wales’ rich history of involvement in peace work and initiatives.

Through art and archives from the collections of the National Library of Wales and the Welsh Centre for International Affairs, the Peacemakers exhibition brings to life the stories of extraordinary individuals and movements, from the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition and the Greenham Common Camp, to the Urdd ‘Message of Peace and Goodwill’ and the protests of Conscientious Objectors.

Central to the exhibition is the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition and chest. Following the horrific losses of the First World War, a whole generation of women were inspired to appeal for peace. 390,296 Welsh women signed a petition appealing to the women of America to call on the United States Government to join the new League of Nations as a step towards everlasting world peace. The Peace Petition, returned to Wales in April 2023 as a gift marking the centenary of the North American Museum of History.

The National Library of Wales has embarked on an ambitious project to transcribe this ‘world-inspiring’ artefact so that it can be searched electronically for the first time.

Another exhibition highlight is the Edefyn Heddwch (Thread of Peace) textile art work. Created under the direction of the textile artist Bethan Hughes and supported by Academi Heddwch Cymru (Wales Peace Academy) and Ruthin Craft Centre, the work includes the hand-stitched signatures of workshop participants, echoing the actions of the women who signed the Petition in 1923.

Showing alongside the Peacemakers exhibition is the permanent exhibition Pembrokeshire: Past and Present, which will display a selection of new items this season. Both exhibitions will run until Saturday, March 29, 2025.