It was April 2023 and Rotarian Eddie McGarvey was aware that one of Rotary’s key areas of focus is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution. He saw an opportunity for the global reach of Rotary to be used to send a message from children to the adults of the world.

Eddie said ‘When grow- ups fall out big time, it is time to stop what they are doing by listening to our young people. If you want to get in touch with the past they say touch a stone, if you want to get in touch with the present touch a flower but if you want to get in touch with the future then touch a life.’

Children in war zones have plenty of stones, few flowers and their lives are hanging by a thread. Wars eventually end, but if they end even slightly earlier there will be less orphans and less children and young people carrying a life sentence of physical and emotional damage, for which they were not responsible.

Eddie researched how a message of peace could be created and sent around the world. Music is close to Eddie’s heart and he discovered that RotaKids do not have a song. Creating an anthem using children’s words and voices was the way forward.  Through connections with the charity Lost Chord UK we were able to work with two musicians, Luke Carver Goss and Gary Hammond who are experienced with working with both the Dementia charity and with young people.

Using the chorus, written as a basis by poet Ian McMillan, Luke and Gary worked with twenty five children representing seven of our local RotaKids Schools. Over the day the children experimented with rhythms, tempo and pitch, using a fantastic array of percussion instruments from different cultures that Gary had brought to the workshop.

Mixed in with the music sessions were discussions between everyone on the feelings of peace; what did the word mean, what affect does it have on our relationship with others, how can peace be created?

Members of the Rotary Club and the teaching staff were surprised at the answers. For those young people their feelings of peace related to their own experiences, peer group friendships, family arguments and sad life events. They did also talk about war and the violence and the suffering that comes from it. The children were far more perceptive and aware than the adults had realised. This is reflected in the words of ‘Peace Like a Flower’ which relate to every walk of life, in every corner of the world, now and throughout history.

It was a productive, thought provoking, noisy and enjoyable day for all involved! Children’s voices, children working in collaboration with each other, what could be better…

CLICK TO WATCH THE PEACE ANTHEM VIDEO

Following on from the workshop at Ranby House, the  Peace Anthem was further developed by Musical Director Chris Edge and the choir from St Joseph’s RC Primary School. Members
of the Rotary Club visited St Joseph’s to hear the children practising. Not only was the anthem sung by the choir, it was also rolled out and included in weekly class music lessons. Chris told us that it was the most popular song at every lesson!

An opportunity for more children to get involved arose when plans progressed to organise the annual Rotary Club of Retford Festival of Remembrance at Retford Town Hall. The music was sent out to six schools wishing to be involved; Bracken Lane Primary Academy, Carr Hill Primary School, Clarborough Primary School, Ranskill Primary School, St Joseph’s RC Primary School and St Swithun’s Primary School.

Thirty six children from six schools, accompanied by teaching staff and family members, met at the Town Hall on the afternoon of Saturday 9th November 2024. Could six schools come together for a 30 minute, pre show rehearsal and sing together? Chris played the piano, Jane Gaddes, from Carr Hill Primary School, conducted. We watched and listened with bated breath. It worked!

Two hours later, the choir opened the Festival by singing ‘Peace Like a Flower’ in front of a packed Town Hall. The children gave a powerful performance. The audience were visibly moved.

The RotaKids Team were convinced that a recording should be facilitated to spread the message of peace across the world; a message that gave the children a voice and an opportunity to convey their valuable perspectives, feelings and hopes for the future.