A FLOWER symbolising peace amid the strife and violence of war has been planted at a Haverfordwest church.

The Inner Wheel Club of Haverfordwest planted a peace rose in the church grounds following the Immortal Regiment Service at St Mary’s Church on Sunday, November 4 as part of the Haverfordwest Remembers events.

The rose was blessed by Assistant Bishop of St. David's, John Saxby and was planted by Inner Wheel President Angela Evans.

 

Left to right: Cllr Chris Thomas, Sheriff of Haverfordwest; Mrs Anne Thomas, Sheriff’s Lady; Dean Campbell; Gwyneth Perkins; Bishop John Saxbee, Assistant Bishop as St David’s, formerly Bishop of Lincoln; Angela Evans; Ann Ansell; Joan Irving.

The Peace Rose was bred by French horticulturist Francis Meilland in the years 1935 to 1939.

When Meilland foresaw the German invasion of France, he sent cuttings to friends in Italy, Turkey, Germany, and the United States to protect the new rose.

In early 1945 Meilland wrote to senior British officer Field Marshal Alan Brooke and thanked him for his key part in the liberation of France.

The horticulturist asked if Brooke would give his name to the rose but Brooke declined, saying that though he was honored his name would soon be forgotten and a much better and more enduring name would be 'Peace'.

Haverfordwest Remembers has been a series of events put on throughout the year to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War.

There are still some events taking place in the town, including art exhibitions at the VC Gallery and spacetocreate, as well as the town museum's exhibit.