Peace craft

The last peace meeting of 2012 explored creative crafts ideas to support the charity 'Compassion in world farming'.

Next peace meeting will be on Thursday 10th January 12-2 at the usual venue, where there will be craft activities (optional) to support Greenpeace and other charities. Find out about the forthcoming programme of events for the year.


 

Skating on thin ice!

Many thanks to Jill for chipping in to the charity 'Greenpeace' through the peace crane project. A lovely time to start some fresh peace crane mandala designs. All the more important to 'Greenpeace' whose mission is to make the Arctic a global sanctuary. 

Although Plankton probably isn't photogenic enough to be on Christmas cards, they're vital to our seas, and the creatures that rely on them. Long may the furry, white bear continue to grace the Arctic as well as Christmas cards.

To find out more about Plankton please click on this link  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plankton

O Christmas tree

In the spirit of the tree project, this morning was spent, helping out at Ryde library on one of their free, festive activities.  Families joined in recycling old Christmas cards, by cutting out pictures of Christmas trees and sticking them to a winter scene. Helping out in the library gives a small glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes, and the  extra effort the staff go to, to make the library, a bright, and engaging place for everyone to enjoy. Some of the children were looking forward to writing letters to Santa in the afternoon, and using the special post box.

 

December peace meeting

 

Thursday December 27th

12 - 2p.m.

Community room

Co-operative Funeral Care Centre

The Fairway

Sandown

 

Warm welcome to visitors, new & present members

Free festive refreshments

Optional activity making cards in support of charity

'Compassion in World Farming'

 

 

December Fair trade & peace crane table

Table displays at a recent Christmas Fayre featuring 'Fair Trade' items, peace crane items, and 'Survival' charity table.

 

December peace planet crane mandalas

 

November nature

Snapshots taken during November



Halo of golden leaves, pigeons decorate its branches



Planet peace offerings
 

eye treats



Completed peace mandala

Robin sings through the gloom

 

 

rainbow after rain



 



Peace meeting

Peace meeting

 

Thursday 29th November

12noon - 2p.m.

Community room Co-operative Funeral Care Centre

Fairway

Sandown

 

 

All welcome

Free event

Refreshments provided

 

Exhibition & Event - Planet Peace

At the cafe in the George Street Centre, Ryde (next to Co-op car park) there is an exhibition on the theme of 'Planet Peace', included in the mixed media display will be peace crane mandalas, and some painted fabric items. Some exhibits may change during November, which continues until the 5th December. The cafe is open from 10-2 weekdays, and 10-12 Saturday, it provides lunches, snack, cakes and refreshments which can be purchased at very reasonable prices.

An invitation to hear poetry and other readings on the theme of 'Planet Peace', on 17th November Saturday morning 10-12, limited seating available. Refreshments can be purchased from the cafe.

The exhibition and the reading event are free.

October activities

Half term saw some creative fun at Lord Louis library Newport making spooky/fairy tale trees and loose leaf books.

 

 

Peace meeting

Peace meeting

 

Thursday 25^th October 2-4p.m.

Co-operative funeral care centre

Everyone welcome

Practical opportunities to promote and nurture peace in ourselves and planet

Illuminating talk

Last Saturday there was a talk at Calbourne Mill, given by Hannah Brock, who went out to Bethlehem as an International Observer for the Ecumenical Accompaniment programme in Palestine & Israel earlier this year. Having followed her  reports on Ventnorblog, it was good to hear her flesh out her experiences, and give some background to them. 'War time farm', shown recently on the BBC, showed Ruth (one of the historians) reflecting on how difficult , psychologically it would have been for people to live under the constant fear of attack, and hardship during WW2, six years. Imagine this multiplied many times over, as is the case for many Palestinian's.

 Hannah did well to talk about the people she met, only once did she stop to control her emotions, when she spoke about Sami (not sure about the spelling here), a child who had been left so traumatised by what he'd experienced that he'd not spoken for six years. Hannah allowed time afterwards for questions.

 Once outside the walls of the cafe there was the sound of water trickling and gushing, a delicate peacock feather on the grass, a reminder of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for democracy there, a loud screech from a peacock cut through the reflection, ducks paddling along in the water, soft green grass under foot, fresh air - peace is about moments  like these, freedom from fear, and finding yourself transported and assimilated into everything. Thanks to Hannah for being a clear communicator for peace for those whose voices often go unheard.

 

October harvest

Dainty eyebright
 

Harebells near the downs

 

 

Medina Arboratum

Some of natures jewels from the past few days.

Bembridge mix
Veg shop:- very long beans, curly kale & weighty pear from St. Cecilia's Abbey
Marmalade & pretty pot from stall at village hall


 

beatle beauty

Blossom in Bembridge

Jazzy slug & mini mushrooms

Tree activities

Children's tree activities at Ryde Library as part of the 'Dear Tree' project.

 

 

'Dear Tree' travelling display, currently at Sandown library,to be shown in Newport library in October, where there will be some 'tree activities' for children over the half term holiday.

 

Badger Humbug

Wildlife day at the Riverside centre on Saturday culminated in  the 'badger' slot, where information and de bunking  of myths and mis-information about the spread of TB was given. The finale was the appearance of the mild mannered Rock star Brian May, who spoke eloquently of the need to oppose the cull for various reasons. All of which can be found by going to the website www.teambadger.org where you can also sign the petition opposing the cull.

This is a poster I made in support of 'team badger' online petition

It's a tough life being born wild, especially if you're a badger. What with new buildings being built so close to their sets they have to up sticks and move to ever shrinking areas, often disorientated and vulnerable having lost their familiar foraging patches. Snares, like torture implements from the middle ages cause slow and agonising deaths to trapped badgers. Not everyone takes the view that they're creatures of charm and character, that enrich our lives, and add to our dwindling bio-diversity of species.The famous peasant poet, John Clare wrote a poem 'Badger' as witness to events in his time, which is a harrowing read.

We were also treated to a peek at some delightful little creatures by the  Isle of Wight 'bat man'  Graham Street, three different species of bat had their moment in the spotlight, to be returned to the tender care of Graham and his wife, Donna.

 

Isle of Wight marking International Peace Day

A morning spent sharing and enjoying colour and patterns decorating a giant mandala, listening to inspiring music by John Downland on the radio chosen by Satish Kumar, and talking about peace. Some inspiring music was played by Mark on the piano
included 'I wish I knew how it would feel to be free' by Billy Taylor, and a very lively, toe tapping piece called 'Tuxedo Junction'. There was poetry on the theme of peace by Malcolm, two readings from books written by Thich Nhat Hanh, and a poem entitled 'Guantanamo' and 'Asylum seekers' by poet Tony Walton. A collection was held for 'War resisters' international'.