Rotarian Eddie McGarvey has long been aware that one of Rotary’s areas of focus is ‘Peace and Conflict Resolution’. In April 2023, he had the idea of a song for RotaKids that could become a Peace Anthem.
His idea was to use the voices of children, through music, to promote peace. The Rotary Club of Retford organised a special RotaKids workshop combining the talents of pupils from seven local schools, who worked alongside professional musicians, teaching staff and the Rotarians themselves to compose a Peace Anthem called ‘Peace Like a Flower’.
Their song was developed further by Musical Director Chris Edge and the choir of St Joseph’s RC Primary School, who were then joined by representatives from six RotaKids schools to form a children’s choir. They performed the Peace Anthem at Retford Town Hall in November 2024 at the Rotary Club of Retford’s Festival of Remembrance.
Ideas developed and a wonderful recording session took place in the Performing Arts Centre at Ranby House School on 7th February 2025, featuring eight RotaKids schools and a total of 99 children in the choir. All these schools had practiced in their own time with supportive teaching staff. The children wore matching RotaKids t-shirts and rose to the occasion. The videographer went on to produce a fabulous video of the eight schools singing their message of peace to the World.
RotaKids are primary-school-aged children who participate in service projects and activities in their community and globally. Currently there are 13 such schools under the umbrella of the Rotary Club of Retford.
Retford Rotary Club would especially like to thank the children and staff of the following schools:
- Bracken Lane Primary Academy
- Carr Hill Primary School
- Clarborough Primary School
- Rampton Primary School
- Ranby House School
- Ranskill Primary School
- St Joseph’s RC Primary School
- St Swithun’s CofE Primary Academy
Keep looking at the Club’s website, www.rotaryclubofretford.co.uk, and on the Retford Rotary Facebook page for updates about when the Peace Anthem – ‘Peace Like a Flower’ can be viewed. It’s worth the wait!