Conscientious objectors to be honoured in Hitchin
A new peace garden will commemorate conscientious objectors
A new peace garden in the grounds of Hitchin Meeting House will honour conscientious objectors, among others.
Friends have been planning the garden for more than a year. They intend to create a path around the Meeting house grounds, that joins a number of ‘points of interest’. The first of these will be a seat bearing an appropriate inscription. Adjacent to the bench will be a free-standing information plaque that explains conscientious objection in the first world war.
‘Other points of interest will have benches to invite the visitor to sit in stillness and to contemplate peace. However, this point of interest will be a single seat, symbolising the loneliness of conscientious objectors, many of whom were subjected to accusations of cowardice and even imprisoned for their beliefs,’ said Miranda Norton, a Hitchin Friend involved with the peace garden project.
Miranda explained that the garden is expected to develop organically as each point of interest is planned and installed. It has been designed by Hitchin Friends, although local representatives of other faith groups have also been invited to get involved.
‘The intention is that other faiths may contribute a point of interest, or a quotation about peace, if they wish to be involved in the project,’ she said.
You need to login to read subscriber-only content and/or comment on articles.