inner-south Manchester

February 24 - 29, 2004

Peace Week 2004 ran from February 22-29 and was a lot of fun, as well as helping to get a serious message out about the need for peace in our communities. During the week we organised assemblies, classes and workshops in schools all over the area and got a great reception from children and staff. It was great to see how the children really got into thinking about peace. Around 70 entries were received for the 'Why Peace?' competition, and on Friday over 200 came to Whitworth Park to help release 500 balloons with messages and prayers for peace each written by a child in school.

There were also two 'Generating Peace' events, a Prayer Breakfast for local Churches, and a Community Awareness Day where various local organisations showed what they were doing to help make our area safer. Throughout the week in The Saltshaker there was a room open where people could go to pray for peace.

All in all, it was a good week. Funding for the week came from the Home Office Community Safety Team, without which, not much would have happened..! We're grateful to Mothers Against Violence, Jeff Borradaile and others who helped with taking the classes and workshops, and to the Fire Service for sponsoring the Balloon Release and T shirts. Also thanks to Galaxy102 for providing the prize for 'Why Peace?' and NACRO for the Community Awareness Day... but most of all to all of you who came and supported. The impact of Peace Week depends completely on the number of people who get involved. Next year, lets make it even bigger! Click here for some photos.