United Nations International Day of Peace and Non-Violence

September 21st 2006

Rochdale

At 11am, the children and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang arrived at the parade starting point. The sun was shining and the sky was blue! The parade was joined by Wardle High School Brass Band and at 11.30 am off we went.

Led by our very own Peace Wagon, we were followed by the Mayor of Rochdale seated in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Wardle High School Brass, members of all political parties and faiths and, of course, hundreds of school children proudly who were displaying their giant peace doves.

The parade worked it's way through town, passers by smiling and waving to all, and headed towards the Cenotaph. After assembling at five minutes to Noon, we all awaited the moment for Rochdale to be the first town in the UK, if not the world, to publicly and officially observe 1-minute of silence for

United Nations Day of Peace and Non-Violence.

Without request, and at the stroke of noon, the police stopped all traffic passing the Cenotaph, and for just one beautiful minute, we all fell silent.

We hope that thoughts were with those around the world who face violence and conflict on a daily basis.

Thoughts and a hope of peace for the children who face bullying in the school yard.

Thoughts and a hope for peace for the children who face violence at home.

Thoughts and a hope for peace for the youth around the world caught up in conflict on our streets.

Thoughts and a hope for peace for the men, women and children who hear the sounds of war and conflict as a matter of course.

Thoughts and a hope for peace for the soldiers on all sides who face fear and death.

Never before had so many children in this town gathered together for one joint cause. A cause that was not born out of competetiveness or self-aggrandisement, or for which the religious or social-economic background mattered not.

It was a cause for children to desire nothing more that Peace.

Peace at home, in the school, in the town, in the country and around the world. 

Observing silence at 12 noon

All gathered at the Cenotaph

Everyone participated!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang leads the way ... !

Song for Peace ...

Peace Day Guests (left to right): Paul Rowen MP, Karen Davies of the United Nations, The Mayor of Rochdale and Colin Parry OBE

Representative from all local political parties and faiths ... together for Peace

Human children first and foremost.

Our Giant Peace Dove!

... and ours!

Children for peace ...

... together for this very important day