Peace Pole, Heart of England Rotary, Solihull, West Midland, ENGLAND
July-2024
A PAIR of Solihull Schools have planted Peace Poles following a successful campaign introduced by Heart of England Rotary.
Greswold Primary School in Solihull and Lady Katherine Leveson Church of England Primary School in Temple Balsall are among the latest recipients to be handed the Poles as part of a drive by Rotary to tackle the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
The presentation at Greswold was attended by Rotarians, the headteacher Karen Scott and several teachers and members of the School Council, prompting many questions about the origins of the Peace Pole movement.
At Lady Katherine Leveson School, the Peace Poles was installed in the prayer corner and attended by the headteacher Neil Kitching and pupils.
Headteacher Neil Kitching announced: “In a world that can sometime be unpredictable, the Pece Pole in our school’s prayer garden stands a gentle beacon of hope and steadiness for our children who use it as a place for quiet contemplation and unit.”
A Peace Pole is also on its way to Tudor Grange Primary Academy Langley. They have been planted in schools and community gardens throughout the West and East Midlands.
Made from recyclable materials, the Peace Poles give a powerful message ‘May Peace Prevail On Earth,’ which can be conveyed in eight languages, reflecting the school/ community in which they are planted. Braille can also be included.
The idea originated in Japan in the wake of the destruction wrought by the Second World War and the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was adopted by the World Peace Society Charity and became accepted by the United Nations as a one of the accepted International Symbols of Peace.
Rotary’s Peace Pole co-organizer Margaret Morely, said: “ Schools really see the value as they use as part of their Peace Education Curriculum and the younger, we start to encourage children to think about peace and solving conflict without violence, the better, especially in today’s society.”
“The Peace Pole is a constant reminder that we are working together to create a caring and compassionate society. Children love them, ceremonies can be planed around them to encourage a culture of peace within the school.”