Peace Parade UK 2008

The original movie car from hit movie trilogy 'Back to the Future' will lead the 2008 Peace Parade. The DeLorean is in the present ownership of celebrity life-coaches Nik and Eva Speakman who offered their support to the organisers of this years event. Nik and Eva will personally drive the DeLorean in the parade and join Nancy Dell'Olio, Colin Parry and other dignitaries during the events. Nik and Eva will also be available for photographs and questions during the afternoon

Nik and Eva Speakman, life coaches to the stars, could never be described as ordinary. They live in a castle with a fleet of supercars and speak only in positive psychobabble. But, as their TV series shows, there is a reason stars shell out their cash - the Speakmans' methods work - The Times

Rochdale gears up for Peace Day

Reporter: David Butterworth @Rochdale Online

Rochdale’s MP Paul Rowen and Mayor Councillor Robin Parker were among the guests at the Peace Day Partnership Meeting held this afternoon (Thursday 24 July).

The meeting was held to discuss peace in the UK in the lead up to The International Day of Peace, which will be held in Rochdale town centre on Sunday 21 September 2008.

Now in its third year, the Rochdale Peace Day is the only event of its kind in Britain, making the town a leader for world peace.

John Carmichael of Truce International, one of the Partnership organisations supporting the United Nations Day of Peace alongside Rochdale Online, said: “Rochdale has done it, while everyone else is yet to get started. Rochdale is leading the way for Peace Days in this country.”

The Peace Day Partnership Meeting started with the reading of two poems written by two thirteen year old school pupils. Upon reading the poems out, John Farrington, founder and project co-ordinator or Peace Parade UK said: “I think it’s fascinating that children in this town are coming up with such ideas.”

Link4Life’s Craig McAteer, Rochdale Mayor Councillor Robin Parker, Rochdale MP Paul Rowen, Peace Day organiser John Farrington, Chairman of the Peace Parade Nick Wigmore, Truce International’s John Carmichael, Rochdale Citizen’s Advice Bureau’s Andrew Kay and Peace Parade treasurer Steven Cooke at the Peace Day Partnership Meeting.

Those in attendance were given an update from Peace Parade UK and the planned activities and layout for the International Day of Peace were discussed.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: “In the next European Council meeting, I can congratulate Rochdale for what is being done.”

Asked why he started this globally unique project, John Farrington said: “It’s because I’m from Rochdale and it’s a great town, and no-one else has done it before.

“I was with a few friends in the pub back in 2006, and International Peace Day was coming up, so we decided to put forward the UK’s, and possibly the World’s, first public and official observation of the UN National Peace Day.”

John Carmichael of Truce International cited his hopes for the future of the Peace Day. He said: “It’d be really good for the ten Greater Manchester Authorities to take a look at what Rochdale is doing. Hopefully next year we can get the other nine regions to join in.”

Knife amnesty in time for day of peace

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has welcomed news that there will be a knife amnesty before the ‘International Day of Peace’ in Rochdale on 21 September. Mr Rowen was speaking after revealing that 21% of all serious crimes in Greater Manchester involved a knife. Paul has now called for tougher action against those caught selling knives to children and young people.

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats also reveal that:

Only 71 people have been successfully prosecuted for selling knives to children in the last five years
None were sent to prison and only one was given a community sentence
56 people were fined, but 21 of them were given fines of less than £200

Paul Rowen said: “These figures show that not enough deterrents are in place to stop shop keepers breaking the law and selling these dangerous weapons. The small fines and lack of imprisonments is a national embarrassment when you consider the number of recent murders and violent assaults involving knives. When you consider that 21% of all crimes committed in Greater Manchester involve knives it is clear that the courts must take a much stronger stand against those who are fuelling knife crime by illegally selling knives to children and young people. It is clear that we need to cut the supply if knives and the law currently isn’t playing a role in this. I have written to the Home Office Minister Jacqui Smith making these points.”

The knife amnesty was suggested by Paul Rowen MP Rochdale police bosses will be revealing the details shortly.

Mr Rowen added: “This is an excellent idea and one that fits perfectly with the ethos of our international day of peace. Every knife handed in will make the streets of Rochdale safer. I would advise people to wrap any knives into cardboard and hand them into your local Police Station. I am pleased that Rochdale Police are taking this step as it shows a real commitment to tackling the root causes of crime. Carrying a knife is an ineffective form of self-defence and I would encourage people with knives to hand them in.”

Peace Parade organiser John Farrington said: “We welcome this move from Rochdale Police and thank Paul Rowen for suggesting it. This is just one of a series of events leading up to our International Day of Peace – all aimed at promoting peace and harmony. Other events include our peace poetry competition, our kick a ball for peace 5 a-aside competitions and much more. Proactive steps like the knife amnesty will lead to a safer Borough.

All are invited to attend ... Vintage Cars too!

Doves are a universal symbol of peace and the giant peace dove, inspired by United Nations Messenger of Peace Dame Jane Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institue, is an integral part of childrens’ participation. Each school that participates will be represented by a group of pupils who will have constructed a dove, which they will then ‘fly’ in the parade.

Peade Parade UK will also host a Vintage Car 'Rally for Peace' on UN Peace Day. Further details soon...!

Peace Parade UK founder John Farrington with Dame Jane Goodall United Nations Messenger of Peace

Colin Parry OBE to again lead the service for peace....

As keynote speaker for the 2006 ans 2007 events, we decided to approach Colin Parry again, whose son Tim was killed by the IRA bombing of Warrington in 1993. Colin subsequently set up the organisation Foundation For Peace an educational peace charity which aims to inspire and enable people to lead more peaceful lives by helping them understand the nature and causes of conflict.

Colin Parry OBE with the Duchess of Kent

Discussing UN Peace Day with Karen Davies of the United Nations and with Colin Parry OBE

Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale took on UN Peace Day 2007!

The observation of UN Peace Day 2007 took a gigantic leap forward in 2007! Peace Parade UK planned, in partnership with Hopwood Hall College, an afternoon of peace activites on campus which included

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