Routes for the Peacemakers’ Pilgrimage
© Archives and Special Collections, Bangor University
Derby Deputy Mayoress, Mrs Mycroft, described the scene on 9 June 1926:
‘Arriving on the outskirts of Leicester… we could hear a beautiful band, and found we had arrived exactly at the right moment. A procession of young ladies, clad in blue and white dresses, waving small flags, proved to us we had met the other pilgrims. What a sight met our gaze. The streets were thronged with great crowds of people. It was like our Carnival Day at Derby. The policemen were keeping the crowds back while the procession made its way to the Town Hall. Here the Mayor and Mayoress (each wearing their chain of office) stood waiting for us. We quickly left our cars to take our place amongst the throng of pilgrims.
Mrs. Porter and myself were taken into the Town Hall and introduced to the Mayor and Mayoress. From the steps of the Town Hall the Mayor gave the pilgrims a welcome to the city of Leicester. Such a beautiful welcome. He said the work of peace-making was the work of woman, and he knew that now we women had taken up the question of arbitration instead of war we should not rest until we had made it impossible to be plunged into war again… I came home with regret because I could not continue the whole journey, but thoroughly convinced that nothing but good can ensue.’
References/Further Reading:
Derby Daily Telegraph, 10 June 1926.