Local sports space twinned with Peace Field in Flanders
A sports hub in Aberdeen has been twinned with the site of the famous World War One 1914 Christmas truce.
The moving ceremony which took place on Saturday 20 November saw Cruyff Court Denis Law, on Catherine Street in Aberdeen city centre, twinned with the Peace Field in Flanders, Belgium in a celebration of peace and the good that sport can bring to young people.
The twinning is an initiative between Aberdeen City Council, Denis Law Legacy Trust, National Children’s Football Alliance and the Peace Fields Project and promotes the use of sport as a tool to bring people of all backgrounds and differences together.
Cruyff Court Denis Law, already Scotland’s first Cruyff Court, is now Scotland’s first football pitch to be twinned with Flanders Peace Field - where rival troops came together in 1914 to play football during a pause in World War One hostilities.
The ceremony, which Denis Law CBE himself attended, included speeches from each partner, the Gordon Highlander pipers and a formal blessing of the Cruyff Court from local Minister Callum Shinnie of Kings Community Church. Jim Clark, chairman, from the Legion Scotland Aberdeen Branch also spoke.
22 pupils, two from each academy school in Aberdeen, then presented the poem “In Flanders Field” on the Cruyff Court before a Peace Pledge, which they contributed towards, was officially signed to create a lasting and impactful legacy.
Aberdeen City Council Leader, Councillor Jenny Laing said: “Aberdeen City Council is very pleased to be working in partnership with the Denis Law Legacy Trust, National Children’s Football Alliance and the Peace Fields Project to offer our young people the chance to be part of such an inspiring initiative.
“While there is often great rivalry in sport, history has taught us that sport is a great way to bridge the divides and bring people together. By participation in the Peace Fields Project and drawing up their Peace Pledge young people from schools across the city have come together to speak with one voice.
“Through the Pledge they have highlighted the importance of having safe and welcoming spaces where young people from different communities and backgrounds can come together and enjoy physical activity in a peaceful way. The council intends to use this project as a catalyst to ensure other areas of the city are just as inclusive, safe and peaceful.”
L-R: Ernie Brennan, Chief Executive, National Children’s Football Alliance; Aberdeen City Council leader Councillor Jenny Laing; footballing legend Denis Law CBE and Alistair Findlater, Chairman, Denis Law Legacy Trust. Credit: Aberdeen City Council
Mark Williams, Chief Operating officer, Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “The force for good that sport can bring to young people around the globe is well versed and we’re delighted to be forming a partnership with NCF and the Peace Fields Project to further enhance this.
“The twinning of Cruyff Court Denis Law and the Flanders Peace Field will help to educate school children across Aberdeen and lead to exchange trips between the two sites. Thanks to all of our partners involved, especially to Gael Simpson from ACC, and also to Catherine Street Community Centre, Aramark and Central Coaches for their valuable contributions.”
Alistair Findlater, Chairman, Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “The twinning ceremony was fantastic. On behalf of Denis Law Legacy Trust, it was truly a great honour to sign the Peace Field Project’s Declaration for Peace.
“I have visited the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium and I take the role as a Peace Field Ambassador with a great sense of pride. The historic connections between Aberdeen and World War I are well documented.
“Our generation are in a position to keep commemorations alive – ‘We will remember them.’ It was wonderful to see many young people and such diversity, young and old, present at the ceremony.
“The Gordon Highlanders added some great speeches as did the children who read out their Peace Pledge (see bottom of page) and recited the John McCrae poem, In Flanders Field. The presence of the British Legion was emotional for many that witnessed the Last Post too.”
Ernie Brennan, National Children’s Football Alliance chief executive, said: “There are many monuments commemorating war; the peace pitch not only commemorates war, but celebrates peace. Sport is a brilliant way to bring people from all different backgrounds together.
“More than 10,000 young people have been involved in the Peace Field Project, twinning designated areas of play around the world with Flanders Peace Field, this event will inspire young and old, to play their games on their peace pitch in the spirit of the Christmas truces football games in 1914.”
Each attendee was given a commemorative chocolate in a nod to some of the gifts that were exchanged during the 1914 truce, while the young school children also received a certificate and a new #YesBallGames football for their school.
The Cruyff Court is used daily by the local community as well as on a weekly basis by Streetsport, the Trust’s flagship programme ran in partnership with Robert Gordon University.
The Peace Pledge
Written by young people of Aberdeen
People fallen assured our peace, to keep their legacy alive on our streets,
Here we rise for the future of Aberdeen, building a city that is thriving and green.
Embracing each other no matter who we are, building friendships from near and far,
Regardless of our difference, we share this together, building hope for now and forever
Affirmed in our hearts are the tales of the brave, giving us hope for the future we pave,
the brave that brought freedom and fighting to cease, we are the brave that can now bring us peace
Community gardens will join us together, providing safe places to challenge each other
To challenge ourselves through physical fun, places where we can finally be one
Establishing equilibrium to balance the world, between carbon intake and emissions unfurled,
Using and protecting our green nation, building a safe environment for future generations
Persevering stoically through the fields, you wrapped us in protection like a shield,
We thank you for your sacrifice and our future you revealed, linking past and present, helping us to heal
Let’s light up the fields so we’re safe as we go, light up the fields to make poppies grow,
Light up the fields to lead the way, to give the younger generation the freedom to play
Enriching our lives with space for me and you, not forgetting the past but pushing on through,
Outdoors will help our peace of mind, to meet without prejudice and strive to be kind
Deliver community trust for us all, providing support which impacts us all,
Upgrading and caring for outdoor spaces together, places to be in, no matter the weather
Grow fields of peace and let them remain green, making the most of our City Aberdeen,
Building communities where people can give, making the most of the place where we live
Every child deserves a space to be free, to interact with others, a place for you and me
Through interests and sports help this pledge come alive, help us to grow and help us to thrive!