Leamington Peace Festival will have a ‘family friendly’ vibe

There will still be the usual mix of market stalls, charities and organisations at the event at the Pump Room Gardens next Saturday and Sunday– but the workshops and interactive areas have increased in size.

Nick Holmes, one of the volunteer directors said: “We are really looking forward to this year’s Peace Festival. We have tweaked the layout slightly so you’ll notice a larger kids zone, more workshops and lots more family fun.”

Events and attractions will include various talks by groups, organisations and charities including Springfield Mind, Keep Our NHS Public. The Friends of Foundry Wood, The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association and Justice for Palestinians who will be hosting leading UK parliament campaigner Baroness Jenny Tonge.

This year, the group’s stall will focus on the situation in Gaza following the bombardment by Israel last year.

Music and entertainment will be provided by various groups, musicians and artists including the Warwickshire Schools Choir, The Spa Strummers, Little Dynamite, Liz and the Lofty Things.

Dance groups Shimmy, Fit2Dance , Mirage and the Shuvani Gypsy Belly Dancers will also perform.

The Peace Award, will be given to an organisation voted for by members of the public.

The festival’s aim - promoting peace and equality between people while living in harmony with the environment - remains the same and is the reason why a dedicated team of volunteers helps to set up, run and close the festival, which is now in its 37th year.

Volunteers are still needed to help out over the weekend.

The organisers are looking for people who are flexible, reliable and responsible - with a a sense of humour.

Email [email protected] for more details.

The first Peace Festival festival, at the time called the Leamington Festival for International Understanding and Peace, was held in 1978.

It was a big success thanks to the response of the town’s community, with more than 30 organisations taking part in the first year.

The main idea was to present in a joyful way the aims of various groups who work with dedication to bring a better quality of life to all people without distinction, both within the community and overseas.

As in the words of Gian Clare, one of the first organisers, the plan “was to bring all the life-minded organisations together to demonstrate to the Leamington people that is better to live together in harmony with one another as good neighbours. That we must work towards peace, justice, security and human rights for all’.

The festival has now been established as one of the main events in the community calendar and its more ‘family friendly’ approach this year is a new stage in its development.

For more information visit peacefestival.org.uk