Local community champions and representatives from county organisations gathered in Haverhill on Wednesday 4 September to welcome the Knife Angel to Suffolk for the first time. The Knife Angel is the national monument against violence and aggression, and is made of 100,000 knives which have been given up in amnesty or seized from a crime scene. The opening ceremony launched a programme of activities and events across the month which will raise awareness of the problem of knife crime and otheorms of violence, and promote social change both locally and nationally.
The Revd Max Drinkwater, rector of Haverhill, spoke at the opening ceremony about the unique opportunity that the Angel offers to engage the community in supporting and encouraging one another to turn from violence to building better relationships. He said, ‘The fact that the Angel is here in Haverhill reflects the positive attitude and good community spirit in the town. The church’s role is to remind people that each of us is made in God’s image and is loved by God, and we should reflect that in our relationships with one another.’
Other speakers included the parents of the late Harley Barfield, who was fatally stabbed in the town at the beginning of last year. They hoped that Harley’s legacy would encourage young people to think again about carrying and using knives.
The Revd Kiran Lotay also performed at the ceremony, sharing two of his original rap compositions. These were written in response to issues facing the community served by his church on the Triangle estate in Ipswich. He will return to Haverhill later in the month for a special performance of more of his music.
The Knife Angel stands 27 feet tall at the head of the Market Square in the centre of Haverhill, next to St Mary’s Church. In the church there is an exhibition of art from HMP Highpoint, created in response to the Knife Angel, as well as a prayer space and an opportunity to write an anti-violence pledge on a wooden heart, which is tied to the fence around the Angel.
Over the coming weeks, the church will welcome groups of young people to engage in a workshop responding to the Angel and the issues it raises, thinking about the impact of violence and the role of the community in preventing violence and crime.
This is a unique opportunity for people across Suffolk to see the Knife Angel and to make a difference in the lives of young people. Visitors are welcome and groups are encouraged to make contact with St Mary’s to make use of the resources available. The Angel is in Haverhill until the 30 September. More information, including the Knife Angel prayer, is available on the St Mary's, Haverhill website here.