TWEEDDALE Peace Group held a vigil in Peebles to mark Hiroshima Day recently.

On Monday, August 6, members commemorated the 180,000 people who lost their lives in the atomic bombings of the Japanese city 75 years ago to the day.

Locals stood on the banks of the River Tweed for an hour of silence in the late evening sunshine, before rose petals were dropped from Priorsford footbridge into the water.

Lesley Morrison said: “It was very moving to stand on the banks of the Tweed listening to the river and remembering how the people in Hiroshima who survived the first few minutes after the bomb dropped ran to the river to try to escape the raging fire.

“About 20 people, many members of Tweeddale Peace Group, stood or sat in silence and it was lovely to see that passers by saw the banners, realised what was happening and walked quietly past or joined us. Our banners dated from the Tweeddale Peace Group in the 1980s, while one said simply ‘Hiroshima: 1945 - 2018’. The other is a beautiful hand-appliqued banner of pastel multi-coloured doves flying free.

“This was hung from the bridge and the gorgeous pink roses and rose petals thrown form the bridge and floating down the river symbolised the Hiroshima lives lost.”

Next month, members of group will gather once again to attend a major international anti-Trident demonstration at the Faslane nuclear base near Helensburgh.

The event, which will take place on September 22, aims to draw attention to the storage of artillery in the River Clyde.

Those who would like to reserve a seat on the bus leaving from Innerleithen and Peebles are urged to call Liz Findlay on 01896830970 by August 31.