"QUAKERS don't always stay within the law," said Judi Brill, 62, resident Friend at the Horfield Meeting House. "They sometimes break the law and don't meet standards of social etiquette when they are following their beliefs."

These beliefs of peace, equality, simplicity and truth will soon be on show in a new Peace Garden that will be built in the empty area opposite the Horfield Meeting House, between a Somerfield store and the Anchor pub.

It is just one attempt to do more to promote Quakers, who have six meeting houses in the Bristol area - in Redland, Horfield, St Judes, Bedminster, Frenchay and Portishead.

This week, as part of National Quaker Week, many meeting houses in Bristol are organising events to promote their religion. Tonight (Tuesday), James Bailey, centre manager for Cabot Circus, will be talking about the new shopping centre, the huge car park of which overshadows the Quaker meeting house in River Street.

And all week, there will be a display about the Quaker faith at the Redland meeting house on Hampton Road.

The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as the Quakers, was founded in England in the 17th century as a Christian religious denomination by people who were dissatisfied with the existing denominations and sects of Christianity during that time.

Unlike many other groups that emerged within Christianity, Quakers have tended away from creeds, and away from general hierarchical structure.

The bedrock of the Quaker faith is the silent meeting for worship. During each meeting, most of which happen on a Sunday in a meeting house but which can be held anytime or anywhere, Friends sit in a circle in silent contemplation. During each meeting, some Friends may feel moved to speak, sing or even dance.

The Redland meeting house in Hampton Road is the most well-attended in Bristol, with up to 100 Friends attending the silent meeting for worship each Sunday. At the Horfield meeting house, there can be as many as 30 people, while attendance at St Judes rarely makes double figures.

Psychiatrist Michael Best, who attends the Portishead meeting house, said that attempting to convey the significance of the silent meeting for worship in words is very difficult. To truly appreciate it, one has to see it for oneself, something that Mr Best, 60, strongly recommends.

"I find peace and I find inspiration," Mr Best said. "It's an experience that's best encapsulated by coming to a silent meeting for worship and feeling it there and then for yourself.

"In the silence, something is shared. Something is felt. You cannot get that on your own."

Judi added: "For me, the silence can be an energetic experience. On some Sundays, I feel something coming up from within me, and I wonder if I should be saying this.

"Very often, someone else will stand and speak about what I'm feeling. Other times, I find myself on my feet and it's like someone is saying something for me."

The things that are said at the silent meetings for worship could be anything, but normally involve Friends talking about something that means something to them that can be related to other people in the context of Quaker beliefs.

Quakers are not forbidden to drink alcohol, but many are teetotal. In the Quaker pamphlet ' Advice & Queries' it says that "in view of the harm done by the use of alcohol... consider whether you should limit your use of them or refrain from using them altogether".

For Jenny Cox, 70, a scientist from Cotham who attends the Horfield meeting house, this is something she greatly respects.

"I love the fact that we are not told to do this or don't do that," she said. "We are told factors and then left to make our own minds up."

Margaret added: "I like to think that as Quakers we set an example. That appealed to me when I first thought of becoming a Friend."

● As part of Bristol Quaker Week, there will be an introduction to Quakers talk this evening (Tuesday) at 7.30pm at Horfield meeting house, entitled 'Quakers today – more than just oats'.

On Thursday at 7.30pm in the central meeting house, River Street, Cabot Circus manager James Bailey will be taking part in a discussion on whether Cabot Circus is beneficial for Bristol.