STUDENTS at York St John University College now have a tranquil bolt hole in the form of a peace garden.
The garden has been opened at York St John by Mami Mizutori, director of the Japan Information & Culture Centre at the Embassy of Japan, in London.
The garden is a re-design of the original chapel garden and has been created in a Japanese style by the grounds team at York St John to represent tranquillity and calm.
At its heart is the Hiroshima tree which was grown from the seed of a tree which survived the Hiroshima bombing and was donated to York St John in May 2005, by the National Federation of University Co- operation Associations of Japan.
A gathering of staff and international students were invited to the chapel to join Ms Mizutori and principal Professor Dianne Willcocks, to mark the official opening.
Rev Jem Clines, chaplain at York St John, said: "This garden is a place where people will be inspired to reflect on the power of peace to resist both passivity and violence.
"The peace tree, coming as it does from Hiroshima, gives this quiet space a symbolism that it is no light comfort, rather it is a provocation to the visitor for action.
"I hope the peace garden will provoke among the university college more people who will determinedly strive for peace in the self, and in human society."
The Peace Garden is open to staff and students to use as a quiet space to contemplate and relax throughout the week.
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