Woking Debates

A series of discussions on topics which are of interest to the people of the Woking area and the wider world

January 16

February 20

March 20

April 17

May 15

Atomic bombs commemoration and film shows are now our focus

nOur final debate of the season, Air pollution: A hidden threat to Woking? featured two speakers, Woking Borough Council's environment portfolio holder, Councillor Kevin Davis, and Professor Prashant Kumar, from Surrey University, who leads a world-class unit on the subject or air pollution. There were also many contributions from members of the audience. A report will be posted soon. nWe have now turned our attention to the annual commemoration of the first use of atomic weapons, when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. We hope to return to the banks of the Wey Navigation at Send for the ceremony, but will again hold it in The Peace Garden on Horsell Common if this is not possible due to the coronavirus pandemic. nWe are also planning to show films in the Woking Quaker Meeting House in the autumn. Hopefully, they will include The Sultan and the Saint (the story of Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt, and their meeting on a bloody battlefield during the period of Christian-Muslim conflict known as the Crusades) and Michael Moore's Planet of the Humans (a documentary that dares say we are losing the battle to stop climate change because we are following leaders who have taken us down the wrong road). nRecordings of all our debates held via Zoom since August 2020 can be viewed at www.youtube.com. nThis includes Woking Borough Council's chief executive, Ray Morgan, causing a stir when he spoke unexpectedly at the end of our February debate, revealing his views on the controversial tower blocks being built in Woking town centre. nMr Morgan, who retired from his post at the end of March, also had opinions on banning parking and cars from the town centre streets. nThis is the ninth year of the debates. Started by Woking Action for Peace to encourage active participation in our community by looking at underlying issues facing us, they are organised with the support of several local groups. We believe that together we can find ways forward to a more equal, peaceful and united world. nMembers of the public are always welcome, to join in the discussion and pose questions to the speakers. And if you have suggestions for future debate topics, or would like to join the committee, contact our chairman Keith Scott – see right. nWhen conditions allow, the debates will return to being held on Saturday mornings, from 11am to 12.30pm, in The Gallery meeting room at Christ Church, Jubilee Square, Woking town centre. Entrance is free, although donations are requested to help with expenses. nWhen we meet “in person”, tea and coffee are served for a small fee from 10.30am. Come along and meet other attendees and committee members before the debate begins. nAlso involved in organising and running the events are members of Churches Together in Woking, Friends of the Earth, Woking Environment Action (Formerly Woking LA21), Woking Quakers, Surrey Faith Links, Transition Towns, and Woking People of Faith.

Marking the first use of nuclear weapons Woking Action for Peace, a constituent body of Woking Debates the anniversary of the first use of atomic weapons with a public commemoration, usually on the towpath of the Wey Navigation at Send. We remember the deaths of around 250,000 people when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed in August 1945 by floating tealights down the canal as night falls. The event was moved to The Peace Garden on Horsell Common last year, with a reduced, socially distanced ceremony meeting the pandemic restrictions. We aim to return to the towpath this year, on Saturday August 7. Please keep an eye on this website and on Facebook for the final arrangements. For further information about our activities, contact our chairman, Keith Scott on 01483 824980 or email him at keithsc_2000@yahoo.com.

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