A giant paper-maché Peace dove joined campaigners from Telford and the wider West Midlands to deliver a letter signed by nearly 200 individuals, and local & regional organisations, including faith groups, trades unions and peace groups expressing delight that the Specialist Defence and Security Convention (SDSC-UK), will no longer be hosted at Telford International Centre. The SDSC-UK trades weapons that kill civilians in Yemen, Sudan, Congo and the Palestinian occupied territories. The Stop SDSC - UK campaign group has protested regularly outside the Telford venue, handing out information flyers highlighting the Centre’s link with the SDSC-UK to attendees arriving for the Methodist Conference of Great Britain and Christmas Pantomime goers.
IMAGE 2 | Campaigners deliver their letter to Telford International Centre
IMAGE 2 - Peace Dove and campaigners stand with a letter, Telford International Centre in the background
Image 3: Text of letter
A similar campaign successfully moved on the Arms Fair from a previous venue in Malvern. The SDSC-UK is advertising that it is going to be held at the National Exhibition Centre in February 2026. The peace campaigners say they will now be taking their protest there.
Jo Hindley, retired midwife from Birmingham said:
“Having previously visited the Centre for a midwifery conference I was appalled that the same venue could affirm life one week and condone killing the next. Today, dressed as a peace dove, I celebrated that the International Centre is now re-aligned with family-friendly, life-affirming, peaceful values”.
Ellis Brooks, from Bridgnorth, said;
"I'm glad I can attend fun events at the TIC again, knowing I'm no longer endorsing profiteering from war and carnage"
Sue McGavin, local resident and member of Telford & Wrekin Green Party, said: “ I was very concerned about the Arms Fair in Telford, an event that enables the purchase of weapons that are used to kill children. Thank you TIC”
“Stop SDSC-UK”. has brought together peace campaigners, including the local Telford Quaker Meeting, other Quakers from across the region, the Peace Pledge Union, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Methodist Peace Fellowship and the Campaign Against the Arms Trade with other campaign groups such as Extinction Rebellion and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
ENDS