25th Anniversary
We celebrated the 25th Anniversary Year of One World Link - and we did it in grand style
In Bo there was a street march and big party.
In Warwick District there were four main events, described below.
Postcard Picture Exhibition - see them online
There are four themes for the images:
- Friendship
- Home and family
- A day in my/our life
- Dreams and aspirations
We received more than 200 images from schools and families - see them online. We then exchanged pictures between Bo and Warwick.
A selection have been enlarged and made into this exhibition which is now available for organisations in the district.
- Preview the exhibition (3MB pdf file)
- Contact us for more information
Archive event - Recording the Link Experience
We held a special open day in Spencer Yard, Leamington, showing off the pictures, video and other records of the 25 years of friendship between Warwick and Bo. Much of this information is available online through our timeline.
We also collected new materials and recorded recollections from those who came along to the event. We had scanners, tape recorders and a camera available to record anything brought in and as a result have lots of new material for our archive. We want to retain the spirit of the link as it evolves and will welcome further contributions.
Little African Event
We provided music at the Pump Room Gardens Bandstand in Leamington to entertain the public and publicise the Link.
Big African Event
One World Link's 25th Anniversary Year came to a resounding climax in Royal Leamington Spa Town Hall, with a feast followed by a concert of African music. The Town Hall Assembly Room was decked out with flags and colourful African cloths in traditional patterns. The pupils of Knightlow School had created a splendid banner depicting zebras in an African landscape which had pride of place. There were pictures and video of One World Link activities. The Town Hall was packed out with an enthusiastic audience who greatly enjoyed traditional Ugandan xylophone music and singing followed by a West African drumming and dancing show, and then learned to dance West African style to the lyrical music of King Masco and his band.
Johannes Mallah the Chair of Bo One World Link and Jane Knight Chair of Warwick One World Link addressed the audience. As long term activists in the link they bore witness to the importance of personal and local links across the world as a key ingredient in promoting international understanding and cooperation, and they appealed to the next generation to step forward to the take the Link forward and give it new dimensions in a spirit of mutual respect. Jaz Nahel, International Officer at Kenilworth School now linked with Bo Government School, said he had been enthused by his visit to Bo in June and looked forward to future work and achievements. David Greenwood Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa wished One World Link a long and successful future.
Johannes and Jane then went to Bo to attend the final event in the Bo silver anniversary year - the official opening of the Bo OWL Community Centre with bands, colourful parades, and a traditional ceremony according to local custom.
Chris King, then Vice Chair of Warwick One World Link, said “This was a very fitting end to our celebrations. I am so glad that so many people came along to take part and help make the evening such a success. I am sorry that some people were unable to get in because we were full. People are now asking when the next event will be. We would like to do more, but it takes time and energy to do something like this. We have so much to do in terms of our linking activities and supporting the future of the multi-purpose community centre in Bo it may be some time before we have another. If anyone would like to volunteer to be our event organiser, we would be delighted to hear from them; because promoting a display of all the good things about Africa is very important.”
School Debate
In the anniversary of the year when the British slave trade was abolished, we sponsored a debate in Warwick District on the relationships between our countries