On 12th July 2008 Community House celebrated the third anniversary of the Peace Garden.
In a community such as Maindee, our lives are enriched by the many cultures and faiths that we come into contact with, day-in day-out. We need to celebrate this fact and this event was a chance to do just that. The excellent attendance shows the committment of many people, including users and friends of Community House, to making good relationships. This is how peace is made.
Most of the groups who meet at Community House had a contribution to make. The attendance was excellent with approximately 200 people at the event.
Many people had already made prayer flags, on which they wrote messages of peace in their own languages. These were use to decorate the garden, which looked splendid, artistically put together by Gawaine Webber and Amy Williams.
Our Newport East MP, Jessica Morden called in (despite the fact that she was moving house on that day!) and we were honoured with the presence of the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mark Whitcutt and Deputy Mayoress, Ms Deborah Jones. This was their second visit to Community House in two weeks. Just goes to show - this is where it's all happening!
Pam Evans of Peace Mala came from Swansea with two supporters of this youth peace project. Visit http://www.peacemala.org.uk to find out all about it.
Pam told us about Peace Mala and showed a video to illustrate. A hundred people had Peace Mala bracelets to take home. Each coloured bead in the bracelet represents a major world faith. At the centre is a white bead, standing for each person's unique spiritual journey,
Many group members, young and old, performed on the stage for our entertainment. One of the youth groups that meet weekly at Community House performed a very relevent drama (a modern day Romeo and Juliette) and one was represented by a youngster reciting a poem for peace. The young members of Maindee Active Girls danced, and did some readings. Afia Ijaz sang a poem by the Pakistani national poet, Sir Muhammad Iqbal (Urdu: محمد اقبال). She was accompanied on stage by her young pupils.
Our very youngest friends also entertained us, helped by the Flying Start staff, singing Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star.
Danilo Padilha and his family sang some Hare Krishna chants. The visiting students from Guantxi , the Chinese province twinned with Newport, also entertained us with a charming song
The young ones were well
catered for. Mrs Susan Lewis told stories from around the world and SureStart Nurturing staff had lots of activities for them. Dads'r'Us had a splendid display, showing what they get up to on Saturday mornings.
There were beautiful cakes baked by the ladies from CASIW (Czech and Slovak in Wales) organised by Mrs Pavlina Mondol. Delicious savouries were provided by the ladies from Ashiana and the ESOL classes. The members of Community House Church were run off their feet providing cups of tea and coffee.
Members of TLC (Tuesday Lunch Club) had provided photographs from the past for a display and ladies from Coffee 'n' Laughs had put photographs and some interesting facts about their lives on a Powerpoint Presentation, which was ongoing in the chapel.
There were stands by Police Force, Fire Service and Neighbourhood Watch, not to mention the Police Authority. We always appreciate the support that we get from them.
There was a more spiritual aspect to the event. Members of different faiths lit candles and read the golden rules of each faith, saying a prayer for mutual respect and understanding. We do have members of many faiths, who attend Community House or are friends of Community House. However, we are still looking for friends who are practising Buddhists or Jews. Contact Marilyn Priday on 07515570971 if you have an interest in inter faith development.
Photographs by Rhys Webber of Webber-Design.org and Alan Priday
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