Beeslack Community High School was established in 1984. It serves the northern tip of Penicuik and its surrounding areas. Our current role is around 750 pupils. As a relatively small school, we know our pupils well and positive relationships are consistently identified as one of our key strengths. We have strong relationships with our associated primary schools (Bilston Primary; Mauricewood Primary and Roslin Primary) and we work closely with them to ensure pupils experience a smooth transition from primary school to high school. We also have a number of pupils from out with catchment, all of which makes for a diverse and close-knit school community. At Beeslack we have a saying that encapsulates this sense of community and togetherness: ‘Once at Beeslack, always at Beeslack.’ 

‘Step up and Play’ are four schools in central Barrow-in-Furness, working together outside school time, with help through the Furness Education and Skills Partnership. 

We want to make sure that all children aged 4-11 in Central Barrow (where nearly 50% of the children currently live in poverty)  get as many chances as everyone else to join a local sports club if they wish. They do this by helping children attend training, practising and competitions. Schools provide transport and escorts to the different sports clubs by picking the children up and dropping them off in the evenings and on Saturdays. In the last three years, over two hundred local children have been supported and many are playing regular competitive sport, including many at Boyd Park. 

The primary business of Barrow Celtic is  as  a junior football club; to provide opportunity for all to perform on the football field to the best of their ability. However, the Club has a wider role and the responsibility of being a major Barrow social institution promoting mental and physical health, well being and inclusion of all children and families. Barrow Celtic Juniors are a club for everyone and anyone in the Furness area who believes in the power of football to enhance the lives of our young people- giving them positive memories, values and habits as well as an appreciation of the game itself.

Our peace field, Boyd Park is named for Barrow Celtic Juniors’ legendary chairman Dennis Boyd- who we have chosen as our Peace Ambassador. A founding member of the junior sections in 1953, Dennis was involved with the club through coaching and serving on the board from then until a few years ago. Thousands of children and families have benefitted from his hard work and dedication to providing football for generations of players.

The four schools; St George’s C of E School, Sacred Heart RC Primary Academy, Ramsden Infants and Greengate Junior School’s met other schools for a friendly tournament on Boyd Park on 11^th November 2024 in the name of Peace. 

STONES IN THE COMMUNITY REPORT YEAR ENDING 2024

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE TOURNAMENT

Maidstone United Football Club is the first Kent club to twin with Flanders Field Peace Pitch, Mesen, Belgium, site of the First World War Christmas truces. The Gallagher Stadium’s Peace Pitch celebrated International Day of Peace with 34 schools from across Kent playing for the U11s boys Peace Trophy.

Left to right: Mayor of Maidstone, Councillor, John Perry, Lorraine Humm, Stones in the Community, Helen Grant, OBE, Member of Parliament for Maidstone and Malling and Ernie Brennan, CEO, Children’s Football Alliance.

On behalf of the Children’s Football Alliance, Helen Grant, MP, presented MUFC’s Lorraine Hum and Tori Campbell, The Peace Field Project Plaque. A duplicate plaque is displayed in Flanders Peace Field.

Maidstone United Football Club’s Peace Field Project Plaque is displayed in Flanders.

Helen Grant, MP and Bob Goulston, MUFC, sign the Peace Field Project’s Declaration of Peace Certificate. There are currently 70 Peace Pitchs in 6 continents:

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FOOTBALL ALLIANCE

Stones in the Community is the charitable arm of Maidstone United Football Club, founded on the principles of hard work, determination, passion and integrity. Opening for business in October 2018 we work alongside the club to deliver the best programmes for the community we serve.

THE PEACE FIELD PROJECT celebrates 10 Years

Left to right: Dima Gofman (CFA), Stijn Delaere (Peace Village), Patrick Farrell (Football Makes History), Sally Meysman (Peace Village), Joachim Jonckheere (Passchendaele Museum), Veronika Dobrovská (SK Slavia Praha), Dirk Van der Maelen (Peace Village), Jonathan Even Zohar (Football Makes History), Filip Delmotte (Peace Village), Gijestert Oonk (Football Makes History), Hakan Sjoestrand (UEFA FFC), Philippe Servais (Club Brugge Foundation), Keir Doherty (CFA), Aaron Joeseph (CFA), Peter Mann (Commonwealth Trust), Hugh Utting (British Embassy to Belgium), Paul Cooper (CFA), Mohamed Farhan (Global Peace Games Ambassador for Peace), Affy Sheikh (Star Lizard Integrity Services), John Carmichael (Commonwealth Trust), Philippe Wall (Commonwealth Trust), Debbie Sayers (CFA), Sonja Hinz (Commonwealth War Graves Commission), Malin Mueller (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) & Roel Timperman (Commonwealth War Graves Commission).

The Peace Field Project Plaques: Cirencester Town Football Club, England, Mako Soccer Club, Florida, USA, Royal Artillery Barracks Woolwich and Charlton Athletic Community Trust, England, Peace Field Project plaques a twinned with The Peace Pitch, Mesen, Flanders, Belgium, site of the First World War, Christmas Truces.

Speakers left to right: Ernie Brennan (CEO, CFA), Paul Cooper (Director, CFA), Sally Meysman (Manager, Peace Village), Hakan Sjoestrand (UEFA FFC), Hakan Sjoestrand (UEFA FFC), Roel Timperman (Commonwealth War Graves Commission), Jonathan Even Zohar (Football Makes History), Gijestert Oonk (Football Makes History), Mohamed Farhan (Global Peace Games Ambassador for Peace) & Affy Sheikh (Star Lizard Integrity Services)

Paul Cooper (second left ) with Members of Mesen Council displaying the Royal Artillery Barracks Woolwich and Charlton Athletic Community Trust, Peace Field Project plaque twinned with The Peace Pitch, Mesen, Flanders, Belgium, site of the First World War, Christmas Truces.

Mr Amemiya (left in picture with Ernie Brennan, CFA) is the gentleman behind the first ever peace pitch in Japan at Vent Foret Kofu, Yamanashi. Mr Amemiya sent a video message to the International Children’s Football Alliance’s Peace Field Projects 10th Anniversary Open Day congratulating everyone for their devotion to peace through play. Mr Amemiya is the inventor of the a heavy duty vehicle that clears minefields Vietnam, Angola, Thailand, Columbia, Afghanistan and Nicoragua. He has dedicated his life to the humanitarin mission. The International Children’s Football Alliance are proud to have Mr Amemiya and Vent Foret Kofu Football Club on board the Peace Field Projects.

The Commonwealth Flag for Peace presented by Peter Mann (Commonwealth Trust, right) too Sally Meysman (Peace Village, left).

To book accommodation for the 10th ANNIVERSARY PEACE FIELD PROJECT OPEN DAY contact:

Peace Village VZW

Nieuwkerkestraat 9a, 8957 Mesen
T +32 57 226 040
info@peacevillage.be

CIRENCESTER TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

‘The Club are delighted to have close links with the Children’s Football Alliance. Cirencester Town F.C acknowledges the value of twinning our designated area of play with Flanders Peace Field and the Peace Pitch at the Peace Village, Mesen, Belgium. ‘ Alan Lloyd

Cirencester’s WW1 Memorial

Cirencester Memorial Centre (Apsley Hall), Sheep Street, Cirencester, Cotswold, Gloucestershire. GL7 1RQ

Frieze on facade: TO THE MEMORY OF OUR GLORIOUS DEAD 1914 – 1919 Frieze above porch: THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE Tablets: ROLL OF HONOUR./ (Names) Plaque above door: THIS HALL WAS GIVEN BY EARL BATHURST AND/ WAS ALTERED TO ITS PRESENT PURPOSE BY/ SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM THE EARL & COUNTESS/ AND THE INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN AND DISTRICT/ AS A THANK OFFERING FOR THE VICTORY WON/ AND FOR PEACE

The signing of the Peace Field Project (PFP) Declaration for Peace Certificate pledges the club to support peace through play. CTFC will receive their PFP plaque at their twinning ceremony in November 2023 around the time for Remembrance Day.

SOUTHLAND FOOTBALL LINK

Colin Farley, CFA sponsor and Founder Member of The CFA, presented Mick Gale, The CFA’s International Projects Director and Peace Fields Project Ambassador, with a Peace Poppy Ball which Mick will take with him to Turnbull Thomson Park , Peace Pitch, Invercargill, New Zealand. Mick will also present Southland Football with their Peace Field Project Plaque which will officially twin their designated are of play with Flanders Peace Field, Mesen, Belgium.

Colin Farley, said, ‘This is truly a ground breaking event that brings the 66th peace pitch into a growing International community’. ‘New Zealand’s contribution to the First World War was astonishing and will never be forgotten’. Mick Gale, added, ‘The first ever peace pitch in New Zealand commemorates all wars and celebrates peace through play’. ‘There is a tremendous sense of pride at Southland Football for their peace pitch.’ ‘ I know that the CFA are delighted that New Zealand will have a plaque displayed at the Peace Pitch, Mesen, under the shadow of the New Zealand War Memorial. ‘There’s plenty of scope for schools and clubs across New Zealand, to now connect with the Peace Pitch in Invercargill and the ICFA’s online resources.’ There are now currently 66 Interantional Peace Field Projects in 5 continents.

Turnbull Thomson Park , Peace Pitch, 199 Islington Street, Invercargill, 9810, New Zealand is twinned with Flanders Peace Field, Mesen, Belgium, site of the First World War 1914 Christmas Truces.

New Zealand’s first ever peace pitch is twinned the Peace, Flanders, Mesen, Belgium, site of the First World War, 1914, Christmas truces. Next door to the Peace Pitch, Mesen, you will find the New Zealand War Memorial. The total number of New Zealand troops and nurses to serve overseas in 1914–18, excluding those in British and other forces, was 100,444, from a population of just over a million. Forty-two percent of men of military age served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, fighting in the Gallipoli campaign and on the Western Front. 16,697 New Zealanders were killed and 41,317 were wounded during the war – a 58 percent casualty rate. Approximately a further thousand men died within five years of the war’s end, as a result of injuries sustained, and 507 died while training in New Zealand between 1914 and 1918.

Football Makes Our Shared History (FMOSH) delivered a Peace Letter to Members of the Legistlative Assembly at Stormont, Belfast, Nothern Ireland. The Ambassadors for Peace presented the Peace Letter to Alex Maskey Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

‘It was lovely to meet the FMOSH researchers. They are very welcome to Stormont. I look forward to reading the Peace Letter as do the MLAs. We congratulate these Ambassadors for Peace on their hard work and look forward to celebrating peace through play’. Michelle O’Neill

‘I will make sure that every MLA receives a copy of this important letter’ Alex Maskey. Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

‘FMOSH is a celebration. The Ambassadors for Peace (FMOSH researchers) have reminded all mums, dads, grand parents, relatives, families, teachers, facilitators, educationalists, sports authorities and MLAs, that the children of Northern Ireland deserve peace and that they demand to celebrate the Good Friday Agreement and International Day of Peace through play’. Ernie Brennan, CEO, CFA.

‘Northern Ireland leads the way with 20 Peace Pitches in every county which is now part of 63 peace pitches in 5 continents.’. Paul Cooper , CFA, Director.

Football Makes Our Shared History

Speach given by Paul Cooper

Thank you to the MLA’s who are with us today to celebrate the work these astonishing young people have done during the Football Makes Our Shared History project.

We welcome Magherafelt Highschool, Drumragh school, the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust and Limestone United.

The CFA has 63 peace pitches around the globe in five continents twinned with probably the most important playing area on the planet, The Flanders Peace pitch, next to the Island of Ireland Peace Park and the 1914 Christmas Truce and the game between the Germans and Allies.

This is the same football that you play in the playground and parks. Something for goals and a ball.

Play is your language. It breaks down barriers and opens dialogue. And not just with the children you have met during the project but also within your own family, discussing their past with parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Everyone has a story and needs to be heard.

But of all the countries in the world from the US to Japan and from England to India, its Northern Ireland that leads the way with a phenomenal 20 pitches. Because you understand, you get why this dialogue and connections matter and its you who are the bench mark for the rest of the world to follow. You are the future.

I would like to end by saying congratulations to Magherafelt High school for an outstanding Football Makes Our Shared History programme and look forward to seeing you in Belgium.

Thank you.

‘It’s been a memorable day for the Club. We have enjoyed the FMOSH project and aim to continue with peace education through play. The advent of our new girls teams and delivering the FMOSH peace letter to Stormont, means the club is in a great position to celebrate peace through play’. Brian Caskey, Limestone United F.C.

‘It’s been a magnificant day. The pupils will remember this day forever more. Thank you to the Speaker, Alex Maskey and to the Memebers of the Legistlative Assembly for making us feel so welcome.’ Mr Charles, Histoy Teacher, Magherafelt High School.

‘Thanks to Football Makes Our Shared History Magherafelt High School are delighted to be representing Northern Ireland at the 2023 Global Peace Games. Delivering the FMOSH Peace Letter to Stormont has been an experience the pupils will never forget’. Mrs Anderson, Principal, Magherafelt High School.

‘We all had a great day. The questions raised by FDST added to the ocassion and the smiles on the faces on the peace bus home said it all’. Connor McGilloway, FDST.

‘All of our pupils enjoyed FMOSH and they especially enjoyed today. Thank you to Stormont for a warm welcome.’ John Molloy,‘ Teacher, Drumragh Integrated College.

‘The perfect day for FMOSH. We enjoyed every minute.’ Rory Woods, Teacher, Drumragh Integrated College’

The First Ever Peace Pitch in Japan

FOOTBALL FOR ALL

(Left to right) Ventforet Kofu F.C. Kiyoshi Amemiya (Chairman), Makoto Amemiya (Nikken, President) and Satoru Sakuma (CEO)

Mr Kiyoshi Amemiya addresses the auidience and outlines the importance of Ventforet Kofu F.C’s Peace Pitch.

Mr Amemiya is the gentleman behind the first ever peace pitch in Japan. He is also the inventor of the a heavy duty vehicle that clears minefields Vietnam, Angola, Thailand, Columbia, Afghanistan and Nicoragua. He has dedicated his life to the humanitarin mission. His strong desire to provide a safer environment for people living near minefields, and his comprehensive approach to meet local needs. Sustained by a mainstream business, his company developed breakthrough technologies that drastically increased the speed and the safety of those who clear landmines, and the quality of livelihood of the residents in the affected regions.

Ventforet Kofu F.C. Peace Field Project twinning event exhibited landmines and photos of minefields from around the world. The connection between Chairman Mr Amemiya’s work and the Peace Field Project is clear. Where once there was death and horror, we all have a duty to replinish the land for communities to once again thrive, prosper and play.

‘I have seen lots of devastation in the world. The Peace Field Project is a living legacy for all members of our community to enjoy playing games on our peace pitch in safety. Ventforet Kofu F.C. look forward to extending the Peace Field Project across Japan and Asia. Mr Kiyoshi Amemiya (Chairman)

Over 500 children, families and friends, attended Ventforet Kofu F.C’s Peace Field Project Peace Pitch twinning event.

‘The Peace Field Project connects with our community’s spirit for peace education through play. We are proud to have the first peace pitch in Japan twinned with Flanders Peace Pitch. Ventforet Kofu F.C. look forward to celebrating peace on International Day of Peace. We are already discusssing ideas on how the event will look’. Mr Satoru Sakuma (CEO)

____________________________________________________

GREEN SPORTS ALLIANCE  are  The Green Sports Alliance, Japan focuses on grass roots projects and activities. 3 core values to visualize through the power of sports is (1) Environment designed between Nature and Society, (2) Bio (lives) connecting among Human Beings, Nature, and Society, (3) Peace.

For immediate release (CLICK HERE for PDF)

Football Makes Our Shared History researchers deliver evidence to Stormont    

TWO thousand Football Makes Our Shared History (FMOSH) participants will be represented by their teammates, 100 young project researchers from respective schools and community groups across Northern Ireland, when they hand deliver a peace letter to Stormont, 12pm, Monday 3^rd April. 

Project organisers The Children’s Football Alliance (CFA) brought together the Irish Football Association, Gaelic Athletic Association, Ulster Rugby, Ulster Hockey, Peace Players and many more children’s sports to celebrate our shared history. 

Awarded a £67,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the initiative culminated in an exhibition of children’s research.

Peace pitches have also been created by twinning designated areas of play with Flanders Peace Field in Belgium, site of the First World War Christmas Truces in 1914. There are currently 16 peace pitches in Northern Ireland and many more across the world.   

After presenting evidence at the FMOSH debate, facilitated at Queen’s University, Belfast on November 17 2022, the researchers collectively asserted that play is undoubtedly the best way to celebrate peace. 

FMOSH’s Ambassadors for Peace have unanimously decided to hand deliver a letter to all parties at Stormont on Monday, April 3.

The letter asks MLAs to ensure that all sports authorities come together to promote and celebrate peace through play in all schools on every anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement on April 10 and the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, September 21.

Signed on behalf of all the children of Northern Ireland, the letter reads: “We demand to celebrate peace through play and ask all parents, teachers, sports coaches and our governments, to endorse the power of play. We deserve lasting peace.”   

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information about Football Makes Our Shared History and to arrange media interviews, contact CFA founder and chief executive Ernie Brennan on 07813 082584 or email erniebrennan@thecfa.co.uk

Alternatively, call Teresa Green at Chris Green Media on 01905 754336 or email teresa@chrisgreenmedia.co.uk

The Children’s Football Alliance was established in 2008 to enhance children’s development through play. The CFA seek to protect childhood through play.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund inspires, leads and resources the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. Visit www.HeritageFund.org.uk

Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £43 billion for projects and more than 635,000 grants have been awarded across the UK. Follow @HeritageFundNI on Twitter and @HeritageFundNorthernIreland on Facebook.