Latest plans for Conscientious Objection Remembered project

The following from Valerie Flessati, on behalf of Haringey First World War Peace Forum.

This is the year when Haringey First World War Peace Forum will be installing the long-planned memorial plaque to the 350 Haringey men who were conscientious objectors in the First World War. It’s being made in Welsh slate by letter carver Will O’Leary. All our supporters are invited to the unveiling ceremony which will take place at 6pm on Wednesday 15 May (International CO Day) outside The Salisbury Hotel on Green Lanes N4. Do put the date in your diary now if you’d like to be there.

More immediately, we need your help with two other plans.

PLAY: DON’T MISS ‘THIS EVIL THING’ – 20 MARCH, TOTTENHAM

After many requests we asked Michael Mears to once again stage his superb one-man play This Evil Thing. This time it will be in Tottenham, on Wednesday 20 March. In a breath-taking performance Michael gives life to characters ranging from Bertrand Russell to Annie, the girlfriend of Bert Brocklesby, one of the ‘absolutist’ COs imprisoned in Richmond Castle in 1916. The CO story is very well told here – many were actually still in prison in 1919 – and the audience at last year’s gripping performance in Harringay were riveted.;

Don’t miss this highly recommended drama. It might be your last chance – and it’s free! No need to book; just come along – and do PLEASE advertise it through your network of friends, family and work colleagues. (Flyer attached) The venue is Park View School, West Green Road N15 3QR and the time 7.30pm, Wednesday 20 March.

CO POSTERS IN STREETS ROUND HARINGEY

In the run-up to CO Day in May we plan to put one poster in every street where a CO lived in Haringey. The posters name the COs and the house numbers where they lived 100 years ago. It’s a way of uncovering the hidden history of our streets and showing just how many COs lived in this area of London.

To do this we need your help please! We need offers from supporters willing to put up the posters in a particular ward – usually about 10 - 15 streets.

Where do we put the posters? On a tree or lamp-post. We provide the poster and string.

When would this be? Any time that suits you between 6 and 12 May.

How long will it take? Probably a couple of hours – but much quicker and more fun with a few friends.

How do I get the posters? Pick them up from 8 Stapleton Hall Road N4 3QD, on the afternoon of Saturday 4 May – and have a cup of tea with members of Haringey First World War Peace Forum. (If you’re busy that afternoon we can fix another time for you to collect them.)

If you’d like to help, please look at the list of streets and wards (attached) and email back to let us know which ward you could help with.

2018 – A YEAR FULL OF ACTIVITY

Our small core group achieved a lot last year. We put on ‘This Evil Thing’ in Harringay; researched, wrote and published our ‘Conscientious Objection Remembered’ walk booklet, and led guided walks along the CO trail. Al Johnson created ‘The Lost Files’ sculpture which was on display at Bruce Castle Museum for several months, with associated events, and displayed again on Remembrance Day in central London. We collaborated with the Stroud Green Festival, offering a local walk, and CO stories for a musical evening about the First World War. We gave presentations to conferences, schools, local Labour Party, CND, U3A and Woodcraft Folk groups, and led a workshop for would-be researchers. We contribute regularly to the ‘Layers of London’ mapping scheme, created a new website for our Heritage Lottery Funded CO project, and provided several articles and interviews for the media.

Thank you so much for your continuing support. Do come to the play on 20 March – and don’t forget our website: www.conscientiousobjectionremembered.wordpress.com