Hexham Town Twinning Association, in partnership with Hexham Town Council and Churches Together in Hexham, organised a peace walk on Saturday 12th November 2022, attended by around 120 people. Together with people in our twin towns (Noyon in France and Metzingen in Germany) and with the people of Ukraine, we showed our desire and support for peace and remembered all those caught up in conflict around the world.

The walk started at 2pm in the Sele at the bandstand and lasted for 1½ hours, returning to the Sele around 3.30pm. The walk passed four significant places in Hexham, with short readings/ musical pre-sentations at these places.

Image, left: the song 'The Peace Makers was written and performed by Una Clay-Wallers and Freya Villiers-Stewart in the Community Centre

At the end of the walk there was the opportunity for walkers to join the final part of the annual peace vigil at St Mary’s RC Church in Hexham, organised by Churches Together in Hexham. This offered an opportunity for reflection, thought and prayer in a quiet environment. The image shows participants gathering in the Sele Park before the start of the Peace Walk. The walk and vigil were followed by light refreshments.

Image, left: Ukrainian residents of Hexham and members of Town Twinning pose beneath the banner. Images © copyright Andrii Androsiuk and Svitlana Polhasiy.