SCHOOL pupils across Stourbridge, Halesowen and the Black Country are being invited to design a garden as part of a peace and mental wellbeing campaign

The Peace Pole competition is part of a drive by the Heart of England Rotary Clubs to tackle the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.

Schools are invited to submit a design for a Peace Garden, and the winning entry will be presented with their own bespoke Peace Pole.

The competition covers Stourbridge, Hagley, Rowley Regis, Halesowen, Client Hills, Oldbury, Kings Norton, Smethwick, and various other Black Country and Birmingham areas.

Peace Poles are internationally-recognised as the most prominent symbol, monument and silent visual for peace. There are an estimated 250,000 across the globe.

Rotarian and Peace Project Co-ordinator, Margaret Morley, said: “Promoting peace is a Rotary area of focus as well as part of the school curriculum. It’s not just about planting a peace pole it’s about working with schools to encourage young people to think about what peace means.”

“Children love Peace Poles, ceremonies can be planned around them to encourage a culture of peace within the school.”

Schools interested in finding out more about the competition or the Peace Project are invited to contact Margaret Morley at: morleyam@aol.com.