Let’s all plant a rose for Peace!


Project to commemorate the WW1 centenary on International Peace Day 2018


(September 21st or thereabouts)


2018 is the centenary of the First World War and we thought it would be a good idea if all Inner Wheel Clubs could plant a rose. We thought it would be a good national project to get nationwide publicity for Inner Wheel and our commitment to peace.


Last year, inspired by our international theme, ‘Leave a Lasting Legacy”, the Inner Wheel Club of Ware decided to try to plant a Peace Rose in a local school. They also held an assembly to encourage the school and children to spend this one day each year looking not only at how peace can be promoted across the world, but also closer to home, by asking ‘What can I do to promote peace?’ We hoped, maybe, to do this for one school each year until all the schools have been covered. The rose and plaque would serve as a reminder in the school each year.


Two schools were really interested, so we agreed to start with both schools. We bought the roses, organised plaques and went into the schools with a ready prepared ’power-point’ presentation. In each school, Student Council members helped us to plant the rose bushes.


The schools chose prominent positions, one beside the reception door and one on a hill where there was a cross, already a focus of attention. In both schools, the staff enthusiastically took up the idea of remembering peace each year and there was an opportunity to suggest that they might link to a school in another country in order to promote international understanding.


We were also able to get good coverage in the local press, thus spreading the word of Peace Day and Inner Wheel at the same time. Our President, Ruth Boulton, was also instrumental in advertising Peace Day at our local sports centre.


I approached Ann Acaster, our new national President about suggesting this as a project for International Peace Day 2018. She supported the project and invited me to speak at the Leicester Assembly, where the idea was warmly received. So, let’s all get involved!


You can plant a rose anywhere in your community - it does not have to be in a school. And it does not have to be a Peace Rose. But let’s get local dignitaries and the press involved and make a big splash for Inner Wheel all over Great Britain and Ireland.


I have agreed to make my power-point presentation available as a starter for you to amend and use as you wish.


One practical detail is that you need to order the roses early, since late September is not a usual time for rose planting and suppliers may run out and not re-stock until October.


Jenny Versey D 26


(We asked the Headteacher to nominate children whose parents had given permission for photographs to be used. These children were selected from various classes.)


Promoting the work of our local Children’s Hospice


Inner Wheel District 24 held a walk along Maldon Prom on Friday 25 May during Children’s Hospice Week to raise awareness of Little Havens Hospice. We enjoyed a gentle stroll from the Beacon, to the statue of Byrhtnoth. The weather was kind as we walked and chatted about Havens Hospices. We were joined at the start by Liz from Little Havens.


The impressive statue at the end of the walk, Byrhtnoth, recalls the Battle of Maldon in 991AD where he made heroic efforts to stop the Vikings from invading the area. He lost his life in the ensuing fighting. Apparently, he was a very commanding figure and the nine-foot statue erected in 2006 shows him looking out over the site of the battle.


Celia Clark D 24


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Innerwheel


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