Saying no to violence in the community is the message of this Friday evening’s (November 30) Reclaim the Night event to be held in the Armidale Mall commencing at 6.30pm with night markets, a free barbecue provided by the Harmony Group, entertainment by local artist and dance groups and a march through the streets of Armidale.
The March will begin at 7.30pm, taking approximately 30 minutes. During this time the Armidale St Peter’s Bellringers will be ringing a quarter peal to mark the occasion and show their support for the event.
“The St Peter’s Bellringers will be ringing a quarter peal to mark Armidale’s ‘Reclaim the Night’ event,” said Tower Captain Simon McMillan.
“Peals and quarter peals are often rung to mark individual, community, national and international occasions and are reported in an international register.
“A quarter peal involves 40-45 minutes of continuous ringing in which the bells are rung in such a way as to minimise the repetition of the same pattern. That’s a feat for the ringers and as such, their tribute to the event or person they are commemorating by their ringing.”
Reclaim the Night in the past has been a women’s movement to focus attention on violence against women and is now looking to embrace all members of the community, both male and female, to be part of a community movement to  reclaim the space within their community so it is  a non-violent and safe place for all people.
There will be a Candle Ceremony at 8pm followed by a speech by Katie Gordon, Police Regional Domestic Violence Coordinator.
