Planting The Peace Pole

Report on the planting of the Holy Thorn and of a Peace Pole in the town of Glastonbury
by Tatomir Ion-Marius, Aloha Fellowship member

On the 26th of January 2013, in Glastonbury, England, there was an extraordinary event. The tree known as the Holy Thorn was been planted in the heart of the town, and also a Peace Pole was planted that has written on it in 8 languages (English, Dutch, German, Romanian, Spanish, Japanese, Hindi and Braille) the peace message "May Peace Prevail on Earth." The Holy Thorn that was planted is a very special tree, a descendant of the Holy Thorn that stood on Wearyall Hill. Legend says that the Thorn sprang from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea, more than 2000 years ago when he came to Britain.

In September 2012 I visited the Glastonbury Pilgrim Reception Centre and inspired the manager, Morgana West, to plant an Peace Pole. A Peace Pole is a monument that displays the message "May Peace Prevail on EarthÓ in various languages and can be made of different materials in varying sizes. The Peace Pole reminds us to act peacefully and in a harmonious way every day. Peace Poles have been planted all around the world. The Peace Pole Project is the official Project of The World Peace Prayer Society, started in Japan in 1955 by Masahisa Goi.

Morgana West embraced the idea and supported it with extraordinary efforts, presenting to the local council the proposal of planting the Pole. The local council with mayor Ian Tucker approved the project, appreciating its importance.

On the 26th of January, the event started in the town hall with beautiful harp music from John Dalton, then a speech was made by the mayor of the town, Ian Tucker. After this, a ceremony of lighting special candles took place. I had the honor to light the Candle of Peace and said that I am lighting the Candle with the wish that Oneness and Peace may prevail.

The director of the World Prayer Peace Society (UK), Caroline Uchima, had travelled from Scotland to attend the event and spoke about the Peace Pole Project. Peace Ambassador Morgana West talked about the Glastonbury Thorn planting and its powerful message. After the speeches, the event continued with the planting of the Holy Thorn and of the Peace Pole. At the planting of the Holy Thorn and of the Peace Pole participated: : Sue Thurgood, John Brunsdon, Denise Michell ,William Knight, Jon Cousins counsellors of the town of Glastonbury, Ian Tucker mayor of the town, Morgana West manager of PRC, Lynne Sedgmore Commander of the British Empire, Caroline Uchima director of WPPS for UK who came specially from Scotland, volunteers, the community of the town, visitors, etc.

The Peace Pole has been placed close to one of the town's attractions, the abbey in whose courtyard is said that the legendary king Arthur has been burried. The planting of the Holy Thorn during the Minute of Silence was a very touching event. After planting, the celebrations continued in the town hall with excellent music from the Avalonian Free State Choir and Tim Hall & the Archetypes. Glastonbury is visited yearly by hundreds of thousands of tourists. The event has been intensely promoted in the media in the UK and internationally also. Glastonbury, holy place, blessed be!