Carlisle events planned to mark global ‘Peace Day’

(Date of issue: Monday, 21 September 2009)

A series of events will be held today (Monday, 21 September) in celebration of International Peace Day.

It is the first the city has taken such an active part in the global event. Activities will include a Peace Day event at Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery between 10am and 12.30pm. Organised by the Carlisle Equality & Diversity Partnership, the event will be officially opened by the Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr William Graham. To mark the start of Peace Day, he will release some doves, the international symbol of peace, from Tullie House gardens at 9.50am.

Held in the lecture theatre, the running order for the morning will include short presentations by the Carlisle Equality & Diversity Partnership and AWAZ. Local school children will also be taking part – Stoneraise School will show a short animated film they’ve produced, Kingmoor School will perform a ‘Peace’ song and Houghton School will give a short talk on their thoughts about peace. Carlisle Amnesty and Carlisle Law Centre will also speak at the event.

In addition to the Peace Day event, an international football match between the World Eleven (a mixed culture team) and a Carlisle team – Luguvalium United (taken from the Roman name for the city) - players will include Roger Lytollis from the CN Group and James Phillips from BBC Radio Cumbria. This will be held at The Sheepmount at 1.30pm. Other football matches of the same type are also planned across other parts of the world.

Carlisle Amnesty will also be holding a candle light vigil outside the Cathedral at 5.30pm. An Evensong is also planned at the Cathedral. The Quakers Friends Meeting House on Fisher Street will also open their doors between 10am and 12noon.

Local residents will also be asked to make their own ‘Peace Pledge’.