UNA Shropshire

Church Stretton's Mayor Councillor Andy Munro formally commemorated the 80th anniversary of the United Nations organisation at a tree planting ceremony on October 24th.

The Mayor was joined by Stretton Councillors and Members and Supporters of United Nations Association (UNA) - Shropshire.

Speaking at the ceremony, John Crowe, Co-ordinator of UNA - Shropshire said, " We are most grateful to Councillor Munro and his Council colleagues and Council staff members for permitting and making arrangements for the planting of a Whitebeam tree, amongst a coppice in Church Stretton's Brooksbury Field." "The Whitebeam's symbolism is tenacity, endurance, and perseverance, all qualities which we think necessary to progress our better civilisation."

"We chose a Whitebeam in recognition of the so many lives that have been saved and secured throughout the United Nations' turbulent 80 years. We also fully acknowledge the UN system has failed way too often to meet its founding principles and purpose from 1945 - 'to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war' through the responsibility of every one of the UN's 193 Member states to deliver peace and security."

Long serving Member of UNA - Shropshire, Ruth Davies added "The next 80 years must start right away to enforce the UN's rules as set out in its Charter. If the present Charter is failing so many of us, perhaps it is now the time to work towards a second UN Charter that deals more successfully with our World as it is today "