Saddleworth Parish Council signs up to Pledge to Peace

Saddleworth Parish Council have shown their support for the area's thriving peace movement, with the signature of the Pledge to Peace.

The Pledge, which is administered by the Percorsi Peace Association in Italy, has been signed by organisations and individuals worldwide, reflecting their commitment to peace.

It pledges the parish council to commit to working with other organisations across the area, and the world, to ensure that it stands up for peace.

Parish Council Chair, Councillor Barbara Beeley, said: “We have unfortunately seen recently how easy it is for tensions to break, and for what seemed unthinkable to happen. That reminds us that it is important – at every level – to remember the impacts of our actions, and to commit to always working together for a more peaceful society. 

“Saddleworth Parish Council has long supported our villages’ thriving peace movement, the Saddleworth Peace Group. They have regular events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, the Anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, and Armistice Day. We are looking forward to working even more closely together with groups across the district, in particular our wonderful churches, to ensure that we always keep this at the forefront of our community’s life.”

The signed Pledge will be returned to the Percorsi Association, to mark the district’s commitment. The Parish joins Oldham Borough Council and Shaw & Crompton Parish Council as signatories of the Pledge, to make it the only borough in the country where all levels of council have signed the commitment.

Over 50 local and regional organisations have signed the Pledge and joined the Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum. These include local organisations the Saddleworth Peace Group; Saddleworth School; St Chads Primary School, Uppermill; St Mary's School, Greenfield; St Anne's Primary School, Lydgate; and Knowsley Junior School, Springhead.

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Saddleworth Parish Council Chair, Cllr Barbara Beeley, signing the pledge.