As part of the international Mayors for Peace initiative, Winchester recently hosted an event to mark the 78th anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The event was held last Thursday August 3 at Abbey House, the official residence of the Mayor of Winchester Angela Clear.
Paul Williams of organising group SGI-UK explained that Mayors for Peace has three objectives - to realise a world without nuclear weapons, to create safe and resilient communities and to promote a culture of peace.
A range of community and faith organisations attended the event to remember and reflect, while also looking forward with hope.
Former mayor Eleanor Bell read a message from the Mayor of Nagasaki.
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It said: “We are resolved to make Nagasaki the last place to suffer an atomic bombing, I hereby declare that Nagasaki will continue to do the utmost to realize the abolition of nuclear weapons and everlasting world peace.”
Following a powerful experience from a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing, read by Carol Rees Williams, there was a moment for silent reflection before a flute solo played by Lis Lewis. Aurelia Cooper helped proceedings flow as MC.
Maurice James from the University of Winchester displayed the ginkgo tree saplings that have been grown from seeds of trees that survived the atomic bombing.
These were presented three years ago to the Mayor of Winchester from the Mayor of Hiroshima. When they are robust enough, they will be donated to local schools to be the focal point of peace gardens.
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The university is also working on two presentations about peace and hope for use in primary schools, which John Brackstone, from the University’s Faculty of Education, previewed the programme.
PeaceJam's Luke Addison and Fay Pretty spoke about their forthcoming youth conference to be held at the university in 2024 and Les Haslam, president of Winchester Rotary, spoke about Peace Poles in cities in the UK and overseas, with the aim for one in Winchester.
Lesley Sheldon-Brown of Southampton and Winchester Visitor’s Group (SWVG) explained how Winchester is a city of sanctuary for refugees, followed by a talk from Julya Petruniak, a Ukrainian psychologist supporting refugees living in Winchester.
The meeting finished with a joyful expression of Ukrainian culture with a song from Lala Smaglova and a traditional dance performed by Anna Paniotova.
Cllr Clear said: “It is a pleasure to see how support for the event has grown over the years.”
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