Dear Watford Observer editorial, The bravery, hardship, sacrifice and sorrow of the combatants during the First World War, and the impact of the war on families and communities at home, are rightly being remembered during the 2014-2018 Centenary. However, there has been little attention paid to those who refused the call to 'fight for their country' and had to face the consequences of their stand, known as 'conscientious objectors'. The challenge presented by this very small but important minority is as relevant today as it was then.

Two Quakers in Watford, an ex-professional film-maker and an amateur historian whose special interest is resistance in Britain to the First World War, have made an excellent short documentary film, 'Watford's Quiet Heroes: Resisting the Great War', which focuses on the stories of three of these conscientious objectors, though it also makes important links with contemporary conscientious objection. This comes following the Quakers' involvement in locals' contribution to a giant pink knitted scarf for an anti-Trident protest, which you covered in the first week of August (http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/archive/2014/08/05/11386701.Nuclear_disarmament_campaigners_knit_seven_mile_long_pink_scarf_to_commemorate_atomic_bomb_tragedy/) We would be very pleased if the Watford Observer were to publish a story on the film either before or after the launch.

We want the audience to represent a range of views on this controversial issue, and as such we have invited local cadets and school students as well as Quakers, peace activists and many others. (Admission to the launch is free but you need to book seats by phoning 01923 269599 or emailing heroes@watfordquakers.org.uk) The launch will include a screening of the film, a panel discussion (the panelists are: David Boulton - author of a seminal book on First World War conscientious objectors, and Simon Colbeck - the film's presenter, Selam Kidane - a present-day war resister from Eritrea, and myself in my capacity as Education Campaign Worker for ForcesWatch), and time for mingling with a bar, and stalls with leaflets and books from the panelists.

Even if you don't have Facebook, you should be able to access the 'event' page for the film launch at https://www.facebook.com/events/281516282050527/?fref=ts.

If you would also like me to send you a leaflet with all the details in a more visual form (which also has some great quotes relating to the subject of the film), just let me know.

The film production are also offering curriculum-relevant workshops based on the film and the issues that it explores to schools. Watford Girls have already signed up for one.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes, Owen Everett (film production team member, former Rickmansworth School pupil, and Education Campaign Worker at ForcesWatch) Based on information supplied by Owen Everett.