PEOPLE came together to promote peace in a poignant event at Dorchester’s Borough Gardens.

The Ringing the Gardens event saw symbols of peace exchanged and people joining hands for a shared silence.

There was also music, bells and singing, with the occasion proving so popular, the organisers are already being urged to make it a regular event.

Val Potter, from the Churches Together planning group, said that there was a healthy turn-out on the day as those visiting the Borough Gardens enjoyed fine weather.

She said: “People really did want to honour the idea of commitment to peace in the world.”

Val said that, with the centenary of the First World War this year, there had been plenty of focus on wars and conflicts in recent months and this special day was about concentrating on a commitment to peace.

The event was opened by the Mayor of Dorchester Peter Mann, who then addressed those gathered in the gardens.

Val said: “He was talking about the peace and harmony we have in the Borough Gardens and how we can spread that sense of peace throughout our communities and throughout the world.”

As well as a special cry from Alistair Chisholm, people were invited to tie a biodegradable ribbon around the Amnesty Tree in the gardens, which was planted in 1989 to commemorate events in Tiananmen Square.

Organisers had invited people to bring along their own symbols of peace to the event and Val said that those included Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament badges, T-shirts and photos that meant something to the individual.

Local Brownies also attended to share the occasion, with one bringing along a card in the shape of a hand that symbolised peace and friendship.

Val said the silence at noon was very well respected.

She said: “We made a circle round the bandstand and the Crossways Handbell Ringers rang a peal at noon and did a peal after the silence, it was lovely.”

Val said that the event had been enjoyed by all and several people had asked if it was something that they would be running again.

She said: “It was certainly something people were expecting us to do again so maybe we will have to rise to the challenge again.”