Rotarian John Niblett, of the Rotary Club of Oadby Launde, presents the Rotary Peace Pole to Frazer Robson, of the Rotary Club of Leicester Novus
When the Rotary Club of Leicester Novus decided to provide a Peace Garden in the grounds of Falcons Primary School in Leicester, members of the Rotary Club of Oadby Launde immediately offered help.
Apart from giving time and physical effort, members of Oadby Launde also said they would provide a Peace Pole, standing eight feet tall and expressing the desire in eight languages “May Peace Prevail On Earth”, which is at the heart of all the world’s 1.2 million Rotarians.
At a joint meeting of the two clubs on June 15, John Niblett, who has acted as liaison, handed over the impressive plastic pole to Frazer Robson, of the Novus club, who has co-ordinated the efforts of Novus members and other volunteers, including Falcons staff and parents. It will be on display at the school fete on Saturday, June 17.
So far, the volunteer landscapers and gardeners have spent three Saturday mornings on site. The work has cost about £1,100 so far out of £2,000 which Novus and Oadby Launde had raised, in part with a grant from The Rotary Foundation.
The Foundation is Rotary’s own charity and is acknowledged to be the world’s biggest charity. Any of the world’s 32,000 Rotary Clubs can apply to the trustees for a grant to help with projects which fulfill Rotary’s aims. One of those aims is the promotion of peace across the globe.
The purpose of the Peace Garden at Falcons Primary School, which is just over two years old, is to provide a space for pupils, staff and parents to ‘chill out’ in a garden which is peaceful and peace-inducing.
When complete, the garden will include aromatic flowers, native trees and hedges, a water feature and, at the centre of the seatig area, the Peace Pole.
