AN antiwar rally which took place on the same spot 100 years ago has been recreated by local actors to commemorate the outbreak of World War One.
About 150 people turned up for the performance outside The Salisbury pub in Harringay to witness a conscientious objector, a Suffragette and a vicar dressed in period clothes, deliver speeches to demand an end to hostilities.
The impassioned pleas were acted out by members of Haringey First World War Peace and were interspersed with antiwar anthems sung by a duo of professional musicians.
Peace Forum and Hornsey Historical Society member Jennifer Bell, said: “A great number of men refused to fight on grounds of conscience. They were in no way cowards, but strong men who felt they must act according to their beliefs no matter what the personal consequences, which included abuse, imprisonment, appalling conditions, ill-health and sometimes death.”
Local resident, Jonathan Gibbs, said: “I really enjoyed the performances, especially the attention to detail; how often do you see someone dressed in early 20th century evening dress regaling us with period pop music! Also, the actors represented an interesting cross section of wartime British people, creating authentic voices with good characterisation.”
The venue was selected as it was on the same spot 100 years ago that the original meeting took place.
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