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The Independent
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Labour council criticised after banning military equipment from Armed Forces Day celebrations
A council has been criticised for banning military equipment from its annual Armed Forces Day celebrations, citing residents' concerns about planned protests. Labour-controlled City of York council made the decision to ban the equipment over fears that the Peace Pledge Union (PPU), a pacifist organisation, and ForcesWatch, which is committed to 'demilitarising the future', said they would hold protests in the city this weekend. York marked Armed Forces Day on Saturday following the official national commemorations last week, but city authorities banned equipment ranging from weapons to vehicles from the parade by local military groups and institutions. The city instead introduced a 'brand new Armed Forces Day Trail', a self-guided tour of its key military sites with a map and guidebook. 'With our military partners, we carefully considered residents' concerns and decided that the day will go ahead as planned, with the only change being no military equipment on show,' explained council leader Claire Douglas. 'This decision in no way diminishes how seriously we take Armed Forces Day and our deep respect and commitment to those who serve and have served. We look forward to a fantastic day.' While Ms Douglas did not confirm what the residents' concerns in question were, one soldier who lives in the region told the UK Defence Journal it was over 'fears it would spark protest'. 'It's frustrating, especially when Armed Forces Day is meant to be a chance for the public to see what we do and engage with us directly,' the soldier said, adding that it was a 'ban by any other name'. But the PPU argues that Armed Forces Day events give children a 'simplistic image of armed force as glamorous and fun' and helps to fuel the rise of 'militarism in everyday life in the UK'. Over the years, protest groups have regularly staged protests across Britain on the day of military celebration. But the number of events being held on the day across the country has dwindled over time. ForcesWatch and PPU recorded a record number of demonstrations on the national Armed Forces Day last weekend, claiming that protests had tripled compared to last year, taking place in more than 50 locations. Chris Steward, leader of the conservative group of councillors in York, said military equipment was a 'crucial part' of the day. He told the Telegraph: 'What use is any military without equipment? We totally condemn this decision of the Labour councillors. There has been no cross-party involvement,' he said, Mr Steward accused the Labour party of falling from a 'proud, patriotic party' to one which is 'more concerned how their actions may offend their increasingly extreme supporters'.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wonderful tributes to Stroud legend as hundreds pack venue
WITH a colourful procession of several hundred people, John Marjoram was laid to rest in the June sunshine, surrounded by a circle of family, friends and the many people who had been inspired by the 'fearless and feisty' former mayor of Stroud. The funeral of John Marjoram, held in the heart of the town in the Subscription Rooms on Monday, was a perfect celebration of a man who lived life as a campaigner for peace and his community. With around 450 people sitting in an intimate semi-circle in the Sub Room's ballroom, with more sitting on the stage and balcony and standing at the back, it was no surprise that the venue reached capacity. Outside on the forecourt a further 50 people stood in the sun coming together to remember and celebrate John. The service opened in the Quaker tradition with a silent contemplation. Fiona Meadley, of Painswick Quakers invited the gathering, to sit in silence and 'reach the peace that lies beyond words.' The eulogy was given by Aaron Mirkin of Stroud's Christian Community who invited us to remember our 'feisty and fearless friend John Marjoram.' He recounted John's 'deep humanity, kindness and courage and his capacity to offer up everything he had for what he believed was right, and doing this by 'thinking globally and acting locally.' 'He had a natural and instinctive vision for a better world - the world how it could be - a vision of the world of peace of love and brotherhood and sisterhood.' The eulogy described John's love of nature, his lifelong pacifism and his commitment to the community of Stroud, and beyond. John grew up in rural Essex in the 1940s, the start of his enduring love of nature. The experiences of his two uncles - one of whom was a conscientious objector during World War One and the other a veteran of the war who told John of the horrors he'd seen - inspired John to campaign for peace throughout his life. He became involved with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Peace Pledge Union, and was twice arrested for breaking into American military bases. John moved to Stonehouse in 1967 and then to Stroud in 1970. He worked as a gardener at Wynstones School and then at the Home Farm Trust in Frocester where he worked for 29 years until he retired. In 1975 John co-founded the Stroud district branch of the Ecology Party, which later became the Green Party. In 1986 he became one of the first Green councillors in the UK and represented the Trinity ward seat on Stroud District Council for 35 years. He was also one of the first councillors elected to Stroud Town Council when it was formed in 1990. He campaigned to save many important landmarks of Stroud - Hill Paul, Woodchester Mansion, Uplands Post Office, Lansdown Hall - and to save the Subscription Rooms from private ownership and Stroud Maternity Hospital from closure. In 2023 John was honoured with the first Honorary Freeman of the Town in recognition of his services to the community. 'We're going to miss our feisty and fearless friend very much,' Aaron told the gathering before encouraging us 'to take up the weighty baton he passed on to us' and remember his mission that; 'if we don't do the impossible, we will be faced with the unthinkable.'' (Image: Annabel Richmond) John's wife Laura Ridolfi read the poem 'I Love You,' by Mario Benedetti which was followed by a prayer and a short song for peace. It is believed to be the first time the Subscription Rooms has ever hosted a funeral, and it was a fitting venue for the funeral of Stroud's former mayor whose life was lived at the heart of the community. John's simple coffin adorned with flowers was carried out into the sunshine on the forecourt and onto a hand cart for a slow procession to Stroud Cemetery. Stroud's Red Band accompanied the colourful procession of several hundred people - some carrying rainbow Peace flags - which made its way up Stroud High Street, past John's home on Castle Street and along Horn's Road to Stroud Cemetery. The procession arrived at the cemetery to the band's gentle playing of Wonderful World and He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother. John was laid to rest in the beautiful June sunshine, surrounded by a circle of family and friends, the sound of birdsong, wood pigeons, the scent of elderflower, and ending with a rendition of Kahlil Gibran's words on the nature of death, from The Prophet. It was the perfect remembrance of a man whose lifelong work had inspired so many. Following the burial, friends were invited to return to the Sub Rooms for a bring-and-share lunch, and a relaxed memorial gathering to share memories and celebrate John's life. (Image: Annabel Richmond) (Image: Annabel Richmond) Well over 100 people came to remember and share their memories and stories – with contributions from such Stroud icons as Jehanne and Rob Mehta and Will Mercer (aka Earthwards), who performed Jehanne's evocatively beautiful song 'This Place'; the Green Party's Molly Scott-Cato and Lucas Schoemaker and Elvis ('The Poet') McGonagall. Adrian Keefe, music therapist from Mindsong, played some of John's favourite songs. Political and more personal memories were woven with humour, love and a great sense of loss. The assembled gathering also shared CAKE, Lisa's remarkable sugar-free, gluten-free vegan cakes, for John was a great lover of good cake. And perhaps inevitably, the wonderful sharing of memories and stories about John was ended with the old crooner, Frank Sinatra, singing 'I Did It My Way': so often a coarse karaoke cliché, these days, of course, but in the case of John Marjoram and his great life's work, an entirely fitting ending to a memorable day in Stroud's history.
Otago Daily Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Conscientious Objectors Day marked for a second year
PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON/REPORT: RUBY SHAW Emeritus Prof Kevin Clements speaks at the Archibald Baxter Peace Garden in Dunedin where International Conscientious Objectors Day was marked yesterday. Prof Clements had read a statement from the Peace Pledge Union, UK and said the threat of conscription around the world remained real. Archibald Baxter Memorial trustee Tony Eyre said the day was commemorated in Dunedin for the first time last year and would continue to be marked annually. "We're all surrounded by what's happening in Gaza, in Ukraine, Pakistan and India." "It's not a historic thing." The garden honours Otago conscientious objector Archibald Baxter, who refused to fight in World War 1.
