JAPAN & USA VISIT TO UK REPORT

PROGRAMME FORTHE VISIT
¨ Peace Museums and War Museums
¨ American Bases
¨ Raising Children Peacefully
¨ British Schools
¨ Making our Peace Activities more Effective Workshop with 'Turning the Tide' facilitators)

THE PARTICIPANTS
¨ From Japan: Seiko Nishimaya, Kimie Aoki, Masako Uchida, Keiko Mijamoto.
¨ From USA: Bronna Zlochiver, Bette Hoover, Mag Seaman, Marci Reynolds.
¨ From England: Women to Women for Peace Members, particularly those in Merseyside.

INTRODUCTION
The idea for a visit by women from Japan and USA came from Beryl Milner, our former Coordinator. She wrote a short article for our newsletter in 2002, asking for reactions to the suggestion. However, the events of September 11th in New York intervened and the plans were put on hold for a year or so. The last visit by women from Japan and USA had been in September 1991 when they were joined by Soviet women for nearly two weeks in Britain.
It was the Merseyside group that took a deep breath and offered to host the group for a visit in May 2005. We are a group of seven who meet regularly and have hosted many times in the past. We knew from experience that more help would be forthcoming from local women and from women in Harrogate, North Yorkshire when the time of the visit drew near. Other members were invited to join the group for a residen¬tial weekend held at Noddfa, Penmaenmawr, North Wales, facilitated by a Quaker organisation, 'Turning the Tide'. Those wishing to come each wrote to tell us about their peace work. We asked them to comment on our programme plans and to add their ideas. Some extracts from their letters and emails follow:
Marci Reynolds works as a nurse specializing in Cardiac and Diabetes. She says: "Throughout my career I have had an interest in working in areas where the need was extreme. My work in Haiti and the Dominican Republic exposed me to gross injustice and led me to learn about the peace process". Marci helped found an exchange program/sister city program between her small town and Niotown in Japan. As a musician she plays with a couple of bands famous for raising money for causes, many of which are linked with peace, and she is involved with a group called 'People for Peace'. Marci's efforts to try to stop the Iraq war led her to email about 150 peace groups in the UK, urging us to try to get Mr Blair not to stand with Mr Bush. She was amazed by the warm and uplifting responses she got. To come to Britain and actually meet her peace allies was important for Marci: "It means so much for us all over the planet to meet each other as loving, concerned world citizens."
Keiko Miyamoto from Hiroshima told us: "I've been to the United States as a peace ambassador with two A-bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 2000. I told about the effect of the A-bomb using pho¬tos and pictures A-bomb survivors painted in 1970's. I told the Sadako story to children and enjoyed all meetings with children. We were asked many questions by college students including Article 9 in the Japa¬nese constitution, presence of American bases in Japan, nuclear deterrent. But we had not so many chances to discuss, because, surprisingly, most Americans didn't know about effects of the A-bomb. So, we had to explain the effects of the A-bomb." Keiko wanted to come to Britain to meet people related to peace and to discuss and think about peace issues. She particularly likes meeting children.
(N.B. the Sadako story and Article 9 in the Japanese Constitution are clarified later.)
Masako Uchida lives in Ichikawa city, Chiba prefecture, next to Tokyo and has a husband and two adult sons, one of whom is studying in the USA for his MBA. Masako writes: "My favourite word is "love" and I believe my life is based on this word. For a long time, as an English Tutor, I helped Junior High School students who found English difficult at school. Through these experiences, I understood that it was most important for children to be motivated by feeling happy through knowing the truth, learning to solve prob¬lems and growing by experience. "Masako now teaches Japanese to foreign residents of Ichikawa city: "I seek a mutual understanding with my students that surpass cultural barriers, and I believe such a connection can be the basis of peace. I love this work.
"Outside of my work as a volunteer, I am often asked for advice by people I meet about various problems. I am not qualified as a Counsellor but I try to guide people as best I can from the basis of my own experiences. As a citizen of the nation which has a pacifist Constitution, I hope our meeting will be a great step to turn a dream into a blueprint for world peace."

Mag Seaman from Denver, Colorado, works with the American Friends Service Committee and is particularly interested in helping Native Americans and Mexicans. She also does non-violence training and is among other things a member of the 'Raging Grannies of Denver'. They sing satirical songs (anti-war) set to popular tunes. The audiences join in, clap, stomp and shout. "You grannies rock", one enthusiast said.
In Colorado there are 49 dangerous and illegal nuclear missile silos. The group 'Adopt a Silo' raises awareness of the nuclear missiles and US policies, urging their government to support International law as a means for a more peaceful world.
Another group Mag supports is 'Citizens for Peace in Space' which campaigns against the US Air Force's vision of the future 'peaceful' uses of outer space. "Space is not simply a place from which infor¬mation is acquired and transmitted or through which objects pass. It is a medium much the same as air, land or sea. In the coming period, the US will conduct operations to, from, in and through space in support of its national interests both on earth and in space." Source: HQ Air Force Space Command, USA.
Mag is also working with The Peace Alliance which is campaigning for a US Department of Peace.
Seiko Nishimaya taught in schools for many years; she and her husband have raised 4 sons, though to their great sorrow their third son was killed in a traffic accident in 2001. She has been a member of New Japan Women's Association since 1972: "We aim at peace, try to keep our Constitution, and try to do everything good for women and children... .....Once a month, I have a reading party when we talk over many social things.....In Japan, political and social situations are very bad." Seiko is concerned about chil¬dren's minds (the way they are influenced in today's society) and the situation of old people, worried that their pensions may not be sufficient. Seiko and her group campaign to keep their very important 9th article of the Constitution: "Some people are going to (try to) revise the constitution to have an army. I think we must do our best against it."
Bronna Zlochiver from Sandy Spring, Maryland says: "I am an artistic, creative mom and cat lover, a con¬vinced Quaker with Jewish memories." Bronna has a son and daughter; both are studying. Audrey, after graduating, plans on travelling and working on environmental projects in Africa.
"I recently became a member of the Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting, which is part of Baltimore Yearly Quaker Meeting. I am on the Peace Committee of the Meeting.
I copyedit and proofread for the National Education Association, where I am a shop steward and on the conflict/resolution/grievance committee of my staff union. It is in my blood to be a social activist—my parents were peace and civil rights activists. I am proud to be a third generation union maid."
Kimie Aoki lives in Kochi City. She says: "I have been working for 5 years works in an after school club where children play and do their homework. I'm very interested in education, peace issues and environ¬mental issues. I am involved with 'Grassroots House' Peace Museum in Kochi City, which has been oper¬ating for 20 years. We exchange information with other peace museums about peace activities in many countries via a newsletter and email. We also work with school children and others who come to Grass¬roots House. I was very encouraged by the visit of an Australian student who was writing her master's the¬sis on peace issued between China and Japan. About 14 members of grass Roots house talked a lot to¬gether. If we have wide friendships and talk about peace issues, we may have a clue to solving them."
Bette Rainbow Hoover lives in Maryland and is a Registered Nurse, a certified Massage Therapist, mem¬ber of Sandy Springs Quaker Meeting and the organisation 'Grandmothers for Peace'. Bette has been com¬munity organizing and conflict resolution training for over 20 years. She was the Director of the Washing¬ton DC American Friends Service Committee from 1994 to 2004, setting up literacy programmes for women, conflict resolution programmes for teenagers and prisoners, and organised responses to the many aspects of violence in the communities served by the organisation. She taught non-violence and consensus building, organised protests, and took full part in acts of civil disobedience. Bette trained participants and organised many Listening Projects as a model for community organizing.
On the international scene, Bette travelled to Burundi in East Africa in 2000 as part of a Quaker Work Camp. While there she taught skills to peace makers that included mediation, non-violence, conflict resolution and grief management. In 1995, Bette travelled to Honduras to train women working with vic¬tims of torture in the art of stress reduction and conflict resolution.

FINANCE by Eileen Brown

Decision taken, invitations sent, invitations accepted. Now came the crunch - how were we going to contribute to the cost? Although our guests were paying their own fares, expenses for eight people which included a weekend in North Wales and an overnight visit to Yorkshire were going to be quite considerable. In the event Women to Women for Peace met expenses for these two events but we estimated that we needed at least £1000 to meet other costs of transport, meals and incidentals. We already possessed £250 from a donation, augmented by £40 from Gwen's Bring and Buy Sale at the last AGM. The greatest boost to our economy came from a 'Charity Night' when, apart from paying £160 for the use of the little theatre and royalties, all other proceeds go to the charity for that particular Monday. On hearing of this scheme the N.W. Group decided to apply. The application was accepted and we were offered a date for a psychological thriller entitled 'Being of Sound Mind'.
The 'Mothers for Peace' quilt was displayed it in the reception lounge. Our group went all out to publicise the event and sell tickets. Hazel filled a fifty seater coach from Chester and Maureen and Nan a twenty-five seater from Southport. The evening was a great success. The quilt attracted a great deal of attention, information leaflets were taken and the play kept everyone guessing. To our delight, when the final count was made and with all expenses paid we found that from that one event we had over £1,100 - and we were invited to send in an application for a further charity night!

The Role of Music during the USA/Japan visit. By Linda Simans, Merseyside W2W4P

Music played a special role right from the first evening. I had been explaining to Seiko that my folkgroup would be singing at the musical evening the next day. She responded by quietly starting to sing to me 'Puff the Magic Dragon' and as I joined in with her, to our delight the other Japanese women joined in, followed by all the English speakers.
Seiko writes: "I think music is a very good method to become familiar and we can feel the sense of identity even though our languages are different and cannot understand each other. Music has a very wonderful power, I think".
We were very fortunate to have Mag with us, singer with the 'Raging Grannies of Denver' - a group which writes all their own anti-war, anti-Bush, anti-poverty and pro-feminist lyrics to well-known melodies, and we were delighted to hear her comical songs. I was particularly delighted to receive her latest CD and a copy of the lyrics, as I hope to add some of her songs to my folk group’s repertoire. We were equally thrilled to have with us a professional musician, Marci from USA, who brought her mandolin along. During the evening she not only performed one of her own compositions and 'All you need is love', but accompanied my folk group and also played the piano for our Japanese guests who sang in unison 'Amazing Grace' and `Sakura', the cherry blossom song. Bette from USA taught us a peace chant and organised a musical game. Seiko taught us a fun game and I ended the evening by teaching everyone an English country dance.
Mag writes: 'The idea of a musical group was brilliant: the evening certainly relaxed everyone. I think the fact that we seem to be on the same wave-length politically made for a harmonious event. I frankly love to share our songs because they are mostly humorous and our serious concerns are in the open.'
Bette writes: 'Sharing music from our cultures was an important aspect of our
community building. Dancing and singing beatles songs at Noddfa in Wales was particularly
fun. I loved seeing responses in the Beatle's museum in Liverpool. What a trip back in time!

THE PROGRAMME IN ACTION

May 3rd was ARRIVAL DAY with our guests arriving at different times, so it was not until the evening that the Merseyside members properly welcomed everyone with supper at Maureen & John Miller's home in Southport.

May 4th began with an INTRODUCTORY SESSION so that everyone could comment on the programme, expressing their 'hopes' for the days ahead.
Then the group visited BISHOP DAVID SHEPHERD PRIMARY SCHOOL to see Peace Education Work with children aged 5 to 11 years. This school is Church of England Aided and in an area of Southport with problems of unemployment and many single parent families. The school sets a very high standard of behaviour and the focus is on rewarding good behaviour rather than punishing bad. Each class devise their own rules with their teacher and has a representative on the School Council so that they are all consulted about changes in the school. We were made very welcome and enjoyed the wide smiles of the children as we joined them for lunch.
Bronna remembers that some of the food came from the school garden. Keiko told the class of 10-11 year-olds about the bombing of her city in 1945 and the stories of survivors. She writes: "I told the `Sadako' story showing them a picture book and also showing one thousand paper cranes to tell how horrible the effect of radiation is. They put a lot of questions to me after my telling the story. Happily, they sent me a lot of lovely letters. They wrote not only they enjoyed listening to the story, making paper cranes, but also they enjoyed getting American and Japanese guests into their school. Their letters are so lovely sentences with beautiful and, cute pictures."
Our Visitors discussed common problems with the Head Mistress, since in all of our countries teachers struggle with poor discipline in schools; some teachers have mental break-downs or give up teaching as a result, and pupils suffer violence.
Masako writes: "I was very much impressed by the educational basis of Bishop David Primary School. Respect for pupils' individuality seemed to be the fundamental philosophy of the school, both in terms of educational ethos, and with regard to the emotional growth and character development of its pupils. One who is esteemed by someone else can esteem others. A child who grows up in such an environment can learn to understand and value these differences; we as adults have a duty to set an example. When we can all reconcile our differences and cooperate, we will have a chance to work together for peace."

After free time with hosts, we met for a traditional tea of fish & chips, ending the day at the Quaker Meeting House in Southport. Terry writes: "We were entertained by a local Music Group - superb! Our guests organised some games and entertained us with some anti-war songs. They were certainly a varied bunch and 'nearly as odd as we are'. Marci played a mean mandolin and piano, a wonderful gift! Mag told us about 'Raging Grannies' who sing new (anti-war) words to well-known tunes. The Japanese women had practised `Abide with Me' and we all joined in heartily."

May 5th was General Election Day, so the day began with visits to Polling Stations. Keiko writes: "I prayed for winning Liberal Democrats appealing against war. Sadly, Labourers, the party of Prime Minister Tony Blair, won although he lost many of their seats."
We then took the train to Liverpool where we met at the CND office. We were given a lot of information about CND work in protesting against wars and the use of nuclear power. We learned of the health problems caused by depleted Uranium in Iraq. What should be done with the waste from nuclear plants? The government is investing 2.2 billion pounds in new facilities at Aldermaston. It is thought this is to carry out joint research with the US on new nuclear weapons. The nuclear arsenals in the world total around 16,525. A Trident submarine has 16 nuclear armed warheads. Each warhead has a destructive capacity approximately seven times greater than the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. Keiko asks: "Why do we have such a huge nuclear arsenal when we are obliged under international treaties, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty, to move to nuclear disarmament?"
Our guests then had time to speak of their peace activities. Keiko told about her peace activities in Hiroshima. She writes: "Soon after telling my opinion, Barbara sitting next to me whispered to me: 'Your opinion was good'. I was very glad to know she understood me."

After lunch at the Metropolitan Cathedral we split into groups for sight¬seeing: the Maritime Museum, Tour Bus, Beatles Museum, Cathedrals, and a Concert at the Philharmonic Hall were some of the choices in Liverpool.

We, met in the evening at the Chinese Arch before going for a Chinese meal.

May 6th: visit to King George V1th Sixth Form College. This college in Southport serves a wide area and has over 1000 students, most doing A-level exams. It has an excellent reputation, regularly sending many students to Oxford or Cambridge Universities each year, but it also offers places to young people with learning difficulties and with disabilities. We were impressed by the atmosphere of mutual respect and caring. We attended classes in Politics, Philosophy and Civics. Feelings ware running high as it was the morning after the General Election and many had been up most of the night watching the results coming in. The level of debate was impressive and we were able to join in.

Bette writes: "Most of them seemed to be supportive of the Labor or Liberal Democrats Parties and a few for the Conservatives. Although there was a slight swing to the Conservatives (5%) the youth thought that the Tories were 'Remnants of old, free market zealots'. They questioned how much Blair's being 'Bush's poodle' had hurt him (considerably!) And whether the Prime Minister was becoming 'more presidential'? Students are politically active both at home and internationally. We listened to students' projects that included helping an orphanage in post-Tsunami Sri Lanka. The students present their ideas to a panel and one is selected as the college's project."
Keiko spoke about her work at the Peace Park in Hiroshima, showing photos of the three effects of the atomic bomb: heat rays, blast and radiation and showing pictures of the many visitors who visit the Peace Park. The young people, staff and our group were very moved by her words. Keiko presented the Principal with 1000 cranes in a rainbow of colour which she wore around her neck as we toured the school, guided by a student who is a member of the College Council. The College has a 'Holocaust Awareness Group' founded by a former student. There is a plaque surrounded by six stones which represent the six million Jews who were killed. Keiko writes: "It is important that we remember all those who have been and still are victims of persecution, for no reason other than their ethnic origin. Nothing can justify such evil atrocities. 'We live in the present; we dream of the future, but we learn eternal truths from the past." Bronna liked the Peace Garden at the school and noted the students' broadcast and recording equipment.
Before leaving, we had lunch with a group of staff and students and were very impressed by their energy and enthusiasm. Our visitors commented that our country's future would be in good hands if these students were typical of the next generation

____________________________

N.B On her return to Japan, when at an event commemorating the 60th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Keiko was asked by an A-bomb survivor to read her poem in front of the A-bomb Dome (made a world heritage site by UNESCO) Here is part of it:


CRY FROM THE UNDERWORLD by Miyoko Watanabe

In the 'clear blue sky of Midsummer
After the explosion of a single Atomic Bomb
Hiroshima became a Hell on Earth.
In the sudden still darkness
Survivors wandered around seeking help

Running this way and that through burning flames.
Under the devilish Atomic cloud
People were ragged, burned, crushed.
Until their death they struggled and suffered.
Some fell down into the river, crying for water.
There they floated to the sea, drifting to their place of death.

____________________________

COOK BOOK FOR PEACE

Marci is compiling a cook book: "Recipes for Peace" that will have special recipes as well as stories, photos, poems etc. As well as being a keep-sake for those involved in the visit, it could also unite our peace groups. 'People for peace' in Waupaca are excited about the idea and are also contributing. Send contributions to: baba@charter.net

NODDFA: Weekend 6 - 8 May (Penmaenmawr. North Wales)
The group, joined by six more W2W4P members, assembled at Noddfa, a large Victorian house run by nuns with the sea to one side and mountains behind. The grounds are lovely, with bluebells, rhododendron, blossom and many other flowers at their best. There are two labyrinths to walk and steps leading to a 'surprise view' over the bay, looking towards Anglesey and the curving coast of North Wales. Over delicious meals, on walks and in other ways we got to know each other really well. "The most impressive place is Noddfa" said Seiko.
Our weekend was facilitated by Ruth Tod and Sophie Reynolds from I `Turning the Tide', a Quaker workshop enabling groups to look at their plans now and in the future. They ensured that what we did came from our ideas, leaving plenty of time for fun and exercise. The first evening was for introductions. We did this in various ways: one way was to construct a web by throwing the ball of wool to another person, linking our experiences or interests. As Bronna says: "The web exercise is a good metaphor for all the people, actions, activities, concerns, places, lessons we experienced in the UK; for all the things we can and must do in the US; and for all the things we can and must do to bring to birth a culture of peace for the world. We are not that different, we all want some of the same basic things: food, clothing, health and well-being; shelter for our families, schooling for our children and world peace."
"We had much fun following the guests' impressions of the trip so far, using the device of drawing a snake to describe their impressions, especially the difference between our bowls of soup and Japanese bowls of soup. It seems ours-are 'big, big!" (Terry) Later on each person introduced herself, speaking about her work and interests: (see introduction). The British women there, Maureen Miller, Gwen Backwell, Jane Harries, Jane Norman, Hazel Lawson, Sue Tyldesley, Terry Gilbertson and Ruth Davies also spoke of their experiences and work for peace. We learned much from one another: as women, families are important - caring for children, partners and parents.
Teaching is a major interest - in schools; mentoring; telling stories; mediation; anti- bullying work; working with the survivors of Hiroshima and in the Peace Museum; Alternatives to Violence (AVP) work in prisons and elsewhere; teaching Japanese to foreigners and helping at Corrymeela, a centre for reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
Campaigning is part of our lives - taking part in rallies and protest marches; being arrested for civil disobedience; anti-war demonstrations and helping the poor and under-privileged.
In everyday life we can choose what we buy, thinking about the growers and makers of clothes, supporting Fair Trade and relating peacefully to those we meet. Friendships are built up through our activities - music, the arts, religious activities, participation in W2W4P and other groups.
Not least, inner Peace is vital, through practising meditation, massage, ancient traditions, connection to the earth and silence.
Our stated hopes for the weekend were to get to know one another better; learn how others work for peace and consider how we can take our work forward. We wanted space for walking, meditation, dance and song. "How can we gain inspiration to do our work?" "What is the special relationship between Britain and the US? Is it at all reflected in relations between the US and Japan?" These and other thoughts were used by our facilitators to shape the weekend.
Saturday afternoon was a time for leisure: some of us drove part way up the mountain behind the house and then walked the wind and the cold coming as a surprise to our guests, with wonderful views before us. Others chose to do encaustic art with Sue, who gave each guest a notebook with encaustic art on the cover. Massage and T'ai Chi was also enjoyed by some.
The workshop which, perhaps had the greatest impact on us focussed on our Fears and how these can be surmounted. We worked in groups, examining a huge range of fears. Some were personal fears - of being laughed at, of being different, of isolation, torture, old age, rejection and death. Fears were also for our families: can we cope with their disabilities in old age or accidents? We had fears in relation to public life: not living up to expectations; losing our job because of our work for peace; not coping well with violence in our environment and robbery; not joining in demonstrations. We feared `letting go' of old patterns of behaviour and moving on, or of not having enough strength to complete the task we set ourselves. We had fears for the world: that our grand children will lack the freedom we have, or that they will reject family life and bringing up children. We fear history will repeat itself -old enmities between China and Japan may cause violence again. Nuclear waste, accidents or even a nuclear holocaust may happen. Epidemics such as `bird flu' may kill many people, and we may use up the world's resources and contaminate our planet beyond redemption. We fear the military power of the US and their plans for 'Star Wars' - we also fear that the UK will continue to support these plans. Masako said: "I discovered how important it is to try to understand other people's fears. With understanding, we can begin to work together to overcome fear. I believe this to be an essential step in working for peace." Fear itself we see as harmful, whether it rules individual lives or when it affects relationships between people and nations.
So what can we do to minimise fear? We can choose our leaders carefully, educate ourselves and the next generation, then put trust in young people. By recognising our fears we feel enabled to move forward. If we are clear about what we believe and can communicate clearly; if we listen to others, recognising their fears; if we show compassion and try to reason with those whose views we oppose; if we unite as peace makers and above all if we keep LOVING, maybe the world will be a better place. "Despair is the enemy" said one person. As part of a group we then physically demonstrated being fearful and then confident - finding that a different posture, and uniting with others, is empowering.
Saturday evening was party time: with Marci at the piano we enjoyed a wonderful mixture of songs, ranging from traditional Japanese songs to US Raging Granny' songs set to popular tunes eg. 'There's no business like WAR business'. Jane

Final Session (Sunday morning): What Next?
We looked to the future and together made commitments to each other.

We want to find realistic, identifiable, specific tasks which we can aim for in the next few years. What are our special gifts? What do we enjoy?

1. Continue our individual peace journeys, perhaps AVID; HIPP etc. Also continue to protest eg. military bases, School of the Americas, changes to the Japanese Constitution.

2. Seiko hopes to talk to other women about the possibility' of forming a Japanese branch of W2W4Peace. Maureen to send information about our organisation.

3. Bronna to find out from Kathy Wright about the links between W2W4P and Sandy Springs Quaker Meeting - rejuvenate the link and also link with Wisconsin and Colorado.

4. Discuss with our groups a possible future visit by British women to Japan and/or USA in 2007/8.

5. Maureen to check with Magda Cross that all our visitors will now get the International newsletter by e-mail and ask that it be sent on to all who are interested in their area.
Bette to compose an article linking all the peace events and news e.g. article 9 of the Japanese constitution, Ministry for Peace etc and send to all the group by e-mail.

6. Sue Tyldesiey to take relevant information to the Yearly Meeting of Quakers in York in late July.

7. Marci offers to compile a cookbook from all participants, with favourite recipes, poems and songs. It will be 'sold' to spread the word about peace.

8. We will send photos and other writings about the visit to Ruth Davies to be used in the booklet (to be compiled in August.)

9. We are approaching the 60th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki: this anniversary could connect our peace efforts: by using the same event in different countries - such as folding paper cranes or marching to places where atomic weapons are kept - we can show how peace groups can unite.

Maureen Miller.

May 8th: Eileen's Afternoon Tea

Travelling back to Merseyside on the train from the intense weekend at Noddfa we were, I think, ready for something easy-going and undemanding. And we all got the Sunday afternoon we deserved, at Eileen Brown's house. We arrived a bit early so had time to wander down to the Mersey promenade, savouring the sea breezes, chatting and enjoying the laziness of a fine early summer afternoon.
On our return to Eileen's aptly named 'Rose Cottage' a positive feast of English traditional cuisine greeted our eyes and nostrils. There were gasps of delight and some women hurriedly clicked their cameras to record it for posterity before it was demolished. The miniature feast was spread on a table in the corner of the room beyond which could be glimpsed a well-tended and flourishing garden. There was a glass vase of garden flowers on the table and flowery bone china-ware was stacked on a pink table cloth with matching napkins. Plates piled with wafer-thin cucumber sandwiches (the secret of which I later learned from the chef), egg-tilled baps and smoked salmon and cream-cheese finger rolls sat side by side with more plates of fruit loaf, a Victoria sandwich cake, strawberry cream meringues and a 3-tiered cake stand with chocolate cake, small 'butterfly' cakes and walnut biscuits. And there was a plate of my personal favourites - fruit scones, so fresh they were still warm, served with lashings of cream and strawberry and apricot jam from cut glass dishes. They didn't last long, though more kept coming from the kitchen. Tea was served from a silver tea service on a trolley. In spite of it being dainty finger food, everyone ate their fill with quite a bit left over.
The sight and taste of that food will long remain with those of us who witnessed it. There couldn't have been a more perfect example of the truly English art of having afternoon tea.
It was truly a royal occasion because when Eileen had time to relax after serving us all, she was persuaded to show us her OBE medal and the newspaper cuttings and photos that went with the royal presentation for her work with the Romanian child-care service in the 1990's. And then there was THE HAT! (Which wasn't really a hat but a band with a feather attached.) We had to see the full works so Eileen made an appearance in it, much to the delight of our Japanese guests. Seiko even spontaneously curtsied deep to the floor! I can honestly say it was the first time I have ever seen Eileen laugh so much - it was a wonderful sight to behold!
There were also two other guests that afternoon - Sheila Shaw and her friend Winifred Gaunt. Sheila had brought a folder of photos of her wonderful stitch-work in creating coats and jackets which are used with small groups to talk about conflict and its possible resolutions. She has been Artist in Residence at Corrymeela and our Merseyside W2W4P group hope to develop links with her.
The spare bedroom at: 'Rose Cottage' had been piled high with eve /one's luggage because this was the day that our visitors went to new hosts. After some confusion caused by temporary group amnesia about which guests were to go with which hosts, we sorted ourselves out and went off with new hosts.
Thank you so much Eileen and your niece Janet, who looked after us so royally: the afternoon tea was one of the highlights of the whole visit and will long linger in the affections of all our visitors.
Gwen Backwell

May 9": Yorkshire - Bradford Peace Museum and The Armouries in Leeds.
Our mini bus for Yorkshire days was comfortable and so new that it was still being 'run in' so could travel no faster than 58 mph. Bernie (our driver) forgot his reading glasses and road maps so navigation was a problem at times! He was very amenable and patient and complied 100% with our requests.
Bradford, West Yorkshire, was a centre of the wool trade with many mills, now all gone. It is a thriving city with 60 cultures represented in the population, and there is a Peace Studies department at the University with links to the Peace Museum. Peter Nias is now the sole employee (there are only 100 such museums in the world). The main work is to prepare and distribute travelling exhibitions which go all over the world, informing people about the History of the 20thCentury Peace Movement, Nobel Peace Prize Recipients, Hiroshima/Nagasaki, Women Peacemakers and 'What does Peace mean to you?'
They have many archives here - quilts, posters, banners, source material and art work .Peter spoke of work for positive peace in the world such as Conflict Resolution Centres. Keiko writes: "In Spain, there is the Guernica Museum. It has two faces. One face tells what happened in Guernica. The other face tells how to resolve wars. Peter told me that Hiroshima tells only Negative Peace. That means that Hiroshima Museum tells only damage caused by the A-bomb. Hiroshima needs Positive Peace." Peter accompanied us to lunch in a nearby restaurant, where we had our very own menu complete with W2W logo on the cover - a nice touch!
A complete contrast was our visit to Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds There are five large galleries in this purpose built museum, displaying collections of weapons which used to be in the Tower of London, maps and videos explaining how Empires spread and then collapsed, photographs showing the havoc caused by bombs, an elephant in armour next to a tiger being shot and other non-peaceful exhibits. We did appreciate the small Japanese Garden commemorating the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan. Keiko felt uncomfortable at the sight of all the weapons and says: "Only beautiful paper cranes consoled my very sad feeling."
The contrast between this well-funded museum and the struggling peace museum in Bradford struck all of our visitors. Bette writes: "It was clear that men spent a lot of enemy making weapons for centuries. The men were depicted using the weapons against each other, animals and the environment. This was too much for me! It's one thing knowing the killing that men are capable of. It's another thing being surrounded by evidence of centuries of that reality. What a contrast to the Peace Museum! We wondered out loud about the absence of women in the armaments museum - what was/is our role in all this?"
We left industrial Leeds to travel 20 miles to the tranquil Conference Centre town of Harrogate in North Yorkshire. We had tea at the Friends Meeting House and talked of our experiences before going with our new hosts to their homes in surrounding towns and villages.

May 10th: briefings from the Northern Friends Peace Board ( Philip Austin); Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases ( Lindis Percy and Anni Rainbow); free time in Harrogate; vigil outside Menwith Hill US-operated intelligence gathering base.
On our second day in Yorkshire we gathered at the Quaker Meeting House in Harrogate and first heard from Philip Austin about United States military and intelligence bases in Britain. This is part of a global US network of around 730 military bases worldwide, forming 'lily pads' so the US military can hop around the world. There are 35 sites in Britain, all of which are advertised as Royal Air Force facilities. There are four Trident nuclear powered submarines at Faslane in Scotland. Each Trident has 48 warheads and each warhead is 7 times more powerful than one of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima.
The UK cooperates with the US in intelligence gathering on a global scale. British police guard the bases; routine policing is paid for by the US, but at times of heightened alert, war or peace demonstrations, the UK bears the cost. During the Iraq war the extra policing cost at RAF Fairford (US base) was £3million. Keiko writes: "I was very surprised to hear about the situation of American bases in Britain. Japan is a defeated nation which was occupied for seven years after WW2. 75% of American bases are in Okinawa. Britain is a winning country of WW2, but we learned that there are many bases in Britain. I think that Britain's situation is very similar to Japan's."
After lunch with a mixture of oriental and English food we welcomed Lindis Percy and Anni Rainbow who have campaigned tirelessly for many years for the Accountability of American Bases. They monitor planning applications which the local planning officers have no power to reject and publicise these; Menwith Hill has expanded hugely and now, has many ray domes (these remind Keiko of Elephant cages!) very visile on the hills above Nidderdale near Harrogate. Fylingdales on the North Yorkshire moors is another US base which is being expanded in preparation for the American Missile Defence System 'Star Wars' project. Menwith Hill will also play a role in this. When questions are asked in Parliament about US Bases, the incorporation of Fylingdales into the US Missile Defence Programme or US 'rules of engagement' that their personnel must follow when detaining protesters, the British Government refuses to answer.
Lindis, Anni and other supporters such as CND groups regularly protest outside Menwith Hill and other bases, calling for independence FROM America (especially on July 4th ) and accountability under British law. Quaker Meetings for Worship are also held regularly outside the bases. Demonstrations are always peaceful; because Anni is in a wheelchair she is treated leniently, but Lindis has been arrested often, sometimes very violently.
The CAAB web site is a mine of information: www.caab.org.uk
After such concentrated listening we were all ready for a few hours' break, and went to explore: some to Harrogate's Valley Gardens, some to the shops and some to the renowned Betty's Café for tea, cakes or other things.

In the early evening we drove to Menwith Hill to join in the vigil outside the base. Barbed wire and bollards protect the entrance and protesters are told to stand beyond a white line painted on the ground - once over that line arrest is likely (certain for Lindis) Friendly police handed us 'Information & Guidance for Protestors'. Bette spoke to some police who denied knowing anything about what goes on inside. One protester paced to and fro across the road with a US flag held upside down; Anni accompanied her in her wheelchair whilst we stood in contemplation with our backs to the site for a minutes silence in memory of those lost during the wars.
Keiko writes: "We could see the very beautiful Yorkshire hills. We closed our eyes to pray. I prayed for former British POW's and many Chinese victims. After praying silently, I heard crying voices. Bronna was crying. I hugged her. Then she told me: "I'm sorry Keiko.(for the A-bombings on Japan) I told her: "It's not your fault". She said "I know, that is not my fault, but I have responsibility." I was so shocked to hear that. I have also felt strong responsibility, being a Japanese, for the bad things done by the Japanese army during WW2. But I also strongly thought why she and I had to feel heavy burden so strongly for what our nations did even though we were not born at that time. I thought: "I hate wars!". I also strongly want children in the future never to feel heavy burden like us. We cried together for a while. I think our friendship is wonderful!"
Barbara Doris says: "Both were quite young and clung together. After a while they wandered off arm-in-arm towards the bus, slowly moving in mutual support. Then suddenly they gave a little skip in unison, turned and gave each other a gentle punch and scampered together to the bus."
The drive back to Merseyside along the A59 could not have been more picturesque - the undulating landscape, many sheep and lambs grazing in the green fields and the bright yellow fields of oil seed rape with the setting sun.
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After her return home, at the 60th commemoration of the dropping of the bomb, Keiko was asked by a survivor to read her poem in front of the A-bomb Dome (made a world heritage site by UNESCO) Here is part of it:
CRY FROM THE UNDERWORLD by Miyoko Watanabe
In the clear blue sky of Midsummer
After the explosion of a single Atomic Bomb
Hiroshima became a Hell on Earth.
In the sudden still darkness
Survivors wandered around seeking help
Running this way and that through burning flames. Under the devilish Atomic cloud
People were ragged, burned, crushed.
Until their death they struggled and suffered.
Some fell down into the river, crying for water.
There they floated to the sea, drifting to their place of death.

Wednesday, May 11th : Liverpool - the final day Gwen Backwell
The final day of the visit was spent in Liverpool, and it was quite a crowded and intense one.
It started in Liverpool's only mosque which serves a population of some 20,000 from over 50 countries of origin. On certain holy days it holds up to 1,000 people. In spite of this it is not a large or pretentious building. Our guide was one of our local friends, Faiza Alasaly, a Yemeni community worker who attends W2W meetings. She had brought us all long head scarves to cover ourselves. We saw the main meeting room completely covered with a specially made carpet with a pattern of arches which allows every man to face Mecca as he prostrates himself. We also saw the small upper gallery of the women's quarters where Faiza told us facts and figures about the Islamic religion and answered our questions. I think we all felt better informed by the time we put on our shoes again and handed back our scarves to Faiza.
From the mosque we walked across the road to a very different place, the 'cop-shop', an old house in the heart of Toxteth's multi-ethnic community where the community `bobbies' (police) are housed and which is a centre for the local community groups. P.C.Hurst is an impressive man, committed to that area of Liverpool who knows it like the back of his hand. He gave us a picture of the variety of community issues and types and trends in crime, of his links particularly with the Moslem community and with the Mosque itself. We in turn told him about W2W and issues of similarity and contrast in both the USA and Japan. Mag brought the meeting to a fitting climax with a `Raging Granny' song. We all had a stimulating hour - not least P.C.Hurst.
A relaxing and delicious lunch at the Women's Technology Centre, joined by more friends, was followed by the final formal appointment of the visit. Liverpool city centre has a famous church, bombed to a shell by the blitz 64 yeas ago, left as a monument to the many civilian victims of the air raids. The local UNA have plans to turn this memorial to war into a vibrant centre for peace, and we met Philip Lodge who is working so hard, together with his wife Enid, to bring this to fruition. We walked from the church to his flat where, after tea and biscuits, he showed us the architect's plans and a scale model of what it will look like and the functions it will serve. Taking as a starting point the UN Decade for Educating for a Culture of Peace, and the World Council of Churches Decade to Overcome Violence, it is to become a Peace Education Centre "To embody principles of community and co¬existence to guarantee a new world vision to the 21' century, especially for young people; a physical presence with a specialism in international citizenship, and a resource for reconciliation." I will consist of a glass and metal frame lowered into the existing shell and is planned to be up and running in time for Liverpool's Capital of Culture year in 2008.
By 4pm we were all exhausted and spent the next couple of hours doing our own thing, before we gathered again at 6p.m. for a final evaluation of the visit and for a farewell party at my house (Gwen Backwell's) in Liverpool city centre. A magnificent pot-luck supper was followed by spontaneous singing, heartfelt speeches and final gift giving. There were three husbands with us (one Japanese) sharing this extraordinary outburst of warmth, wit, laughter
and love. As we sat in our smallish sitting room crammed full with 22 people I tried to see it through the eyes of the men. I came to the conclusion that an all-male gathering couldn't be like this. There was something that was essentially feminine in our mixture of joy and sadness. For a start, our emotions were fully expressed - there was much laughter and some tears. There was a lot of physical contact. There was no hierarchy and no one dominated - everyone had their say and naturally followed one another without any organisation. We hadn't prepared anything, it just flowed - the speaking, the singing, the gift giving and the laughter. We felt truly bonded. We hope our Japanese and US guests will remember this feeling hen they look at a beautiful plaque Maureen Miller had made for them all: written on a piece of Welsh slate by a picture of an olive branch she had inscribed the words: `Peace to this place' - 8 times over!
The more difficult bit begins now that everyone is back home again but we were again given inspiration by Maureen who quoted to us the words of Matthew Arnold: "If ever the world sees a time when women shall come together purely and simply for the benefit and good of mankind, it will be a power such as the world has never known."
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Maureen: The Merseyside (Liverpool area) women met on August 6th to remember the dropping of the Atom Bomb on Hiroshima 60 years ago. They went to the Peace Gardens behind St George's Hall. Bruce Kent was the main speaker, but Gwen Backwell spoke about W2W4P and the visit in May. (Our new banner was there too.) Gwen read a poem "The Monuments of Hiroshima" by D.J.Enright. All were asked to wear white, the colour of mourning in Japan, and to fast from Aug 6th to Augt9 (Nagasaki day). The Lord Mayor of Liverpool was there and the Japanese Deputy Ambassador invited, though tie could not attend.
THE MONUMENTS OF HIROSHIMA by D.J. Enright.
The roughly estimated ones, who do not sort well with
Our common phrases,
Who are by no means eating roots of dandelion,
Or pushing up daisies.
The more or less anonymous, to whom no human idiom
Can apply,
Who neither passed away, nor on, nor went before, nor
Vanished on a sigh.
Little of peace for them to rest in, less of them to rest in
Peace:
Dust to dust a swift transition, ashes to ash with awful
Ease.
Their only monument will be of others' casting
A Tower of Peace, a Hail of Peace, a Bridge of Peace
-who might have wished for something lasting,
Lie a wooden box.

Japan's Commitment to Peace
Our Japanese guests were very concerned that Chapter II, Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution might be changed: Bette Hoover explains this concern:
"On August 6, 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan (followed by another dropped on Nagasaki.) The horrors of that dreadful day reverberate across the globe and across the decades. This year is the 60th anniversary of that bombing and an opportunity for us to join in the cry `Never again!'
The following is an excerpt from Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and could be seen as a declaration of non-violence and against war(s).
"Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes."
And furthermore: "In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognised."
The revolutionary Article Nine of the Japanese Constitution has come under contention many times over the years. Legislators have tried to amend or delete this part of the Constitution that prohibits going to war. In the 1990's Japan was criticised for only sending financial and/or humanitarian aid to assist the US in its global policing. More recently, the US has pressured Japan to violate Article 9 by sending troops to aid them in their fight against terrorism. When Japan finally acquiesced and sent troops to both Afghanistan and Iraq, the troops were required to carry munitions and work with war equipment. This requirement was clearly in violation of Article 9. Again, legislators are trying to change the language of the Constitution in order to support the US -War on Terrorism".
In 2002, the Koizumi government proposed bills that would, according to critics, legalise the preparation for war. Thus far, those bills have not been passed. Many people watching this process are concerned that the world's only Constitution that bans war may be changed. Citizens' groups are asking for action from us in the US to help prevent this change from happening.
How can we help? Here are some ideas: speak to our MP's/representatives asking them to help Japan preserve their constitution. Network with citizens' groups in Japan to support them. Support the movement in the US for a Department of Peace (www.dopcampaign.org) or the British equivalent (www.ministryforpeace.org.uk) Support Veterans for Peace (www.veteransforpeace.org/japanconst.htm) Do all we can to end the use of nuclear weapons.

FEED BACK; actions following the visit would need another book !
Bette: "At the end of each busy day, our host families wanted to hear of the day's events. We explored our similarities and differences in everything from language and food to our political concerns."
Masako: "A lasting impression of my visit will be how much I was moved by these women's firm belief in love and peace. Working together with the women I met on the visit was an encouraging and a meaningful experience for me."
Seiko: "These days will stay in my mind and encourage me to do the peace movement hereafter. We learned many things and became friends with each other. We learned to understand each other and the peace problem deeply through personal and group discussions, sharing delicious meals and quiet, rich and beautiful natural environment."
Kimie: "You all organised the sessions and workshops and parties and sightseeing perfectly. I really appreciate your warm-hearted hospitality and friendship....The visit in your country and friendship gave me a lot of courage and love to me, and it will help me to do some peace work."
Mag: "Imagine British, Japanese and American women who are Quakers, Buddhists, Catholics and Protestants exchanging ideas, emotions and plans for a better world. The exchange of ideas was stimulating. The commitment and resolve were firm. It was a time of pause, reflection and decision-making under the title 'Turning the Tide' in a world of strife." Mag is keeping us informed about the efforts to form a `Department of Peace' in the USA.
Marci:”Every woman that I traveled with or even briefly met made a lasting impression that affected my sense of what a peace maker is. I learned about the beauty of the quilt concept: all parts come together to make a whole movement that touches all levels....That lesson is priceless and has truly transformed this impatient soul. The trip was incredibly well planned it was like a smorgasbord of peace activity."
Bronna: "What felt so good, so right, was the overwhelming feeling of community among us all: we come from very different backgrounds, we have had very different life experiences, we are from different generations, yet we all want the same thing: Peace. And we are all working for it. How wonderful!"
Keiko: "I met many super powerful British women of W2W4P. Mainly, older women were very energetic and active. All women hope strongly for world peace for children all over the world. I hope that the spirit of Women to Women for Peace will spread all over the world."