School pupils’ doves are a symbol of peace at village church

A church and school in the village of Cleadon have joined forces to create their own version of this summer’s Peace Doves art installation at Durham Cathedral.

Peter Walker’s installation, which will be revealed in the Cathedral on Friday 26 July, is made up of 15,000 paper doves, with schools, local groups and church communities all contributing to the mass-participation artwork.

Earlier this summer, Cleadon Church of England Academy teamed up with the village’s All Saints Church to produce their own mini version of the Peace Doves installation – with paper doves going on display inside the church and a strong focus on praying for peace in our homes, communities and across the world.

Teacher Karen Paterson explained: “Working alongside All Saints Church, we have created our own response to this exciting project.

“Every child has been extremely busy designing and decorating their own special peace dove. All children have thought about the importance of peace and created their own unique response. 

“The doves are now on display in All Saints Church and together they make a marvellous sight. We are very proud of our children and their caring thoughts and ideas.”

Marie Philpott, schools and community groups co-ordinator at All Saints Cleadon, said the doves have been suspended from the church ceiling, to create the illusion that they are flying.

She added: “Ours is a mini version of what has been created at Durham Cathedral. Everybody is welcome to come into church and see the display, which also includes prayer stations where people can pray for peace in our homes, communities, nationally and internationally.

“It has been a really powerful project and as a church we have really enjoyed working with the school and the staff and children, who have done a wonderful job.” 

The church and school in Cleadon have built a strong relationship, with this being the latest successful project.

All Saints Cleadon is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 6pm for people to view the Peace Doves display and enter the prayer stations. Everyone is encouraged to come

along, take inspiration and pray for peace.

For more information about the installation at Durham Cathedral, click here