International Day Of Peace

Sunday 21st September was the United Nations International Day of Peace. Stroud had various events to celebrate this day, but most moving of all was the hugely colourful Peace Flag ceremony where the Stroud Willow Elfin group played a significant role.

Mayor John Marjoram opened the event, noting that Stroud three years ago signed up to Mayors for Peace. Already well over 2000 other cities and towns in 129 countries have signed to express support for Hiroshima Mayor Araki's programme to abolish all nuclear weapons. John Marjoram echoed the UN Secretary-General words in calling us to join forces against conflict and poverty.

Then 197 flags from all countries of the world were presented individually by Willow Elfin members and others attending the ceremony. A moment was given for each flag, wishing peace for the people in that country. Around the world, every half hour on that day, a similar ceremony was taking place with these flags, which take a group of Japanese women a year to make.

Following last year's visit to Stroud by a West Papuan Independence leader, the West Papua flag was also flown (see photo): those caught flying the flag there face a ten year jail sentence.

The Earth flag flew above us from the Sub Rooms representing unity, peace and the need to take care of our planet. Stroud is possibly the first town to fly the flag on a Council building. Four young children from the Elfin Woodcraft group also carried an Earth flag at the end before all joined in to wave the flags in celebration of peace.

Huge thanks to David Cooper and the other organisers of this powerful event.