Celebrating 40 Years of Barshaw Park's Peace Garden

Elaine Loch - Volunteer, Friends of Barshaw Park

Lorna Callery-Sithole leading a poetry writing workshop on a stunning day in The Walled Peace Garden.

This year marks a special milestone as Friends of Barshaw Park celebrates 40 years of the Peace Garden.

On 28 June 1986, the old walled garden was officially designated as a Peace Garden as part of the United Nations International Year of Peace. During that year, Peace Gardens were established in countries around the world as symbols of hope, understanding and peaceful cooperation.

By chance, I recently came across a plaque dedicating a Peace Garden in Manly, Sydney, Australia, which reminded me of our own special place here in Paisley.

The Peace Garden at Barshaw Park was dedicated by Monsignor Bruce Kent, one of the UK's leading peace campaigners. The ceremony was hosted by the Provost and attended by local councillors, members of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), community groups and local schoolchildren.

Many visitors may not realise that the walled garden originally served as the vegetable garden for Barshaw House when the estate was a private residence. Part of the estate was purchased by the local authority in 1912 and became what we now know as Barshaw Park.

As you enter the Peace Garden today, you will see the white peace pole carrying the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in several languages, including Braille. It remains a powerful symbol of the garden's purpose and values.

Over the years, volunteers have played an important role in caring for the garden, while CND has continued to host annual events here. For the past 12 years, the volunteer-led Friends of Barshaw Park has worked to restore and maintain the space, creating the tranquil and welcoming garden enjoyed by visitors from near and far.

The Peace Garden continues to attract people from many backgrounds. Earlier this year, Buddhist monks from the United States, travelling on a journey for peace, were among the many visitors who spent time in the garden.

We know that many local people have their own memories and stories connected to the Peace Garden, and we hope to gather and share some of these through Friends of Barshaw Park's social media channels during this anniversary year.

Our first celebratory event will took place on 24 April, from 1.00pm to 3.30pm, we are delighted to welcome Lorna Callery-Sithole to facilitate a small poetry-writing workshop, Peace Garden Poems.

Lorna brought a wealth of experience and creativity to the session, and we look forward to seeing what inspiration participants draw from the garden and its history.

If you would like to find out more, share your memories of the Peace Garden, or explore how you or your group could become involved in future anniversary events, please contact Elaine Loch, volunteer with Friends of Barshaw Park.

We look forward to celebrating this special anniversary together and continuing the Peace Garden's story for many years to come.