Wrexham: Report and photos from Peace Day events 2013

Background

See this post for a summary of previous Peace Day events in Wrexham.

THREE DAYS FOR PEACE

(1) Thursday 19 September - SAS soldier to Veteran for Peace

Three days of events marked World Peace Day in Wrexham, starting on Thursday 19 September with an evening talk at Trinity Church by Veteran for Peace Ben Griffin and organised by Wrexham Christian Peace Group. Ben was a British SAS soldier who refused to return for a second tour of duty in Iraq, left the military with a glowing testimonial from his commander and was later subject to a High Court gagging order for speaking out about British complicity in torture. Ben has since founded the first UK chapter of the organisation Veterans for Peace.

(2) Friday 20 September - Schools Peace Day

Pupils at St. Christopher's school which hosted the event, along with around 120 visiting pupils from Rhosnesni and Bryn Alyn high schools, Bodhyfryd, Brynteg, Holt and Rhosddu primary schools, took part in a full programme of workshops and activities on the theme of peace. The day began with an assembly by school chaplain Rev. Brian Matthews, who spoke about the message of peace in the Biblical prophesy of turning swords into ploughshares, spears into pruning hooks.

Workshop leaders for the day were:

• Ben Griffin of Veterans for Peace (see above)
• Owen Everett of Forces Watch who worked with pupils to take a critical look at how the military engages with young people
• Quaker Michael Still who spoke about conscientious objectors in World War I
• CAFOD volunteer Clodagh Cherry who looked at issues of trade justice
• Jane Harries of Alternatives to Violence Project who worked with children on conflict resolution
• Katie Saxby of Eco-villages Cymru who also did a practical workshop exploring ways of resolving conflict
• Bhupinder Kaur Virdee-Lace who led a cookery workshop on Sikh seva - food serving peace
• Sophie McKeand who facilitated a creative 'Poetry for Peace' session
• Phil Main and Joey Dickenson who led a singing workshop including signed singing
• Michelle Murphy and Helen Newton who made Peace Mala bracelets with the children
• Mel, Richie and Laurie from Mountain Music who led drumming and percussion workshops

During the lunch break, pupils had the opportunity to experience a holistic therapy, and to learn simple massage techniques which they practised on each other; to make a badge for peace; to decorate their handshape to add to the 'Hands Up for Peace' rainbow; to draw or write something at the 'Envisioning Peace' table. Tables on the other side of the hall contained information about peace and justice issues and campaigns, with tablecloths reading 'Remember all the child victims of war' and 'War kills children and other precious living things.' Peace flags decorated the walls. Outside, unwanted items brought in by the pupils were set out on the Give and Take sharing stall; everyone was invited to choose something they would like - a practical demonstration of gift economy. There were also free refreshments and fresh fruit. Alongside, pupils queued up to have peace symbols, suns, rainbows and other peaceful images painted on their hands and faces.

After the afternoon workshops sessions, the children came back together and shared what they had learned, performed their songs and read out their poetry.

Full report and photos in this blog post and more photos on flickr.

(3) Saturday 21 September - Peace Day in town: many events

Service for Peace

Saturday saw a town marking Peace Day in many different ways.

At midday there was a peace service for those of all faiths and none in Queens Square, attended by the Mayor and opened and closed by Wrexham Community Choir who then also sang for 20 minutes on the bandstand at Llwyn Isaf (library field).

Full report and photos in this blog post.

Peaceful exchange of flags

The day continued on Llwyn Isaf with an afternoon of live music organised by Brendan Griffiths of Spectrum Promotions. However, before the music got going, Joey Dickenson of Heal the Last Stand led a delegation from the library field to the middle of town, accompanied by the Mayor, where they met the organisers of another Peace Day event organised by the Polish-Welsh community group 'Cymrades' in Bellevue Park. A peace flag was exchanged with a Polish flag in the spirit of peaceful community.

Live bands and peaceful activities on the library field

Back on the library field in the warm late summer sunshine, Heal the Last Stand launched their new single 'The Gathering'. They were followed by other performers over the next five hours or so: Americo Lima sang Portugese songs of resistance; other performers were Keith Astbury, Mandola Hangover, Tiny Wooden Angels, Hedge Gods, Mise en Scene of Canada, Jessica Ball, The Scene and Wrexham legends Terminal.

The Yum Yum Project had organised a food share for the peace picnic and also dru yoga, meditation and holistic therapies in a marquee donated by Love, Light & Peace Tents. A Give and Take stall invited people to help themselves and to read about the philosophy behind gift economy. The Islamic community had an information stall and a whole range of peace and justice and anti-militarist campaign information was available on stalls in the food tent.

The event closed at 7pm with around 100 people still on the field. Many helped the council workers to pick up the litter and leave Llwyn Isaf as they had found it that morning.

Evening event

An after show party with more bands - The Fag Machine, Mise en Scene, Secateurs, plus Too Many JDs - took place in The Commercial pub from 9pm.

All the day's events were free of charge.

Full report from Saturday in this blog post

Quotes from some of those involved

Brendan Griffiths of Spectrum Promotions and member of the Peace Day Group, who has organised the live music for the World Peace Day events on the Library Field and in the Commercial:

"World Peace Day is important for me as it allows people from all walks of life come together and think about a subject that is universally important: peace."

"The events and people wanting to be involved in organising them have grown over the past few years, which probably shows what people feel about peace in our world. We’ve opened up the service this year to include something for people of no faith who want their hopes expressed too. People are tired of war and conflict and this peace day gives us the opportunity to look forward in hope."

"I feel it is wonderful that we come together in Wrexham for Peace Day each year, as a gathering together of individuals and groups that do choose peace, a celebration of all who are working towards peace…in our everyday lives and in the rest of the world, with an invitation for everyone to join us."

"In a time of endless war driven by a desire for control of the Earth's resources and the relentless pursuit of profit without regard for human life, wildlife or the planet, hope for a more peaceful future lies with ordinary people engaging with questions of peace and justice both locally and globally. World Peace Day in Wrexham is a local response to the global celebration of peace and global call for an end to war. It’s very encouraging that there are so many events marking the day in Wrexham this year.

"I am sure that every one of the hundreds of adults and children who took part in any of these events will have taken something positive away with them."

Get involved

Wrexham Peace Days are community events organised through a loose network of individuals and groups coming together as Wrexham Peace Day Group. If anyone would like to be part of organising future community building events in Wrexham that are peaceful, inclusive and free of charge, contact us on 07938 619825 or email peacedaywrexham [at] yahoo.co.uk.

Our blog: worldpeacedaywrexham.wordpress.com