MUSICIANS, authors, artists and speakers will mark World Peace Day in Kidderminster this weekend.

The MAS Lab World Peace Day concert will be held at Kidderminster College from midday on Saturday, September 21, following a bell-ringing at churches across the town.

MAS Lab curator Kev Gammond said: "The international day of peace is a United Nations initiative, established in 1981 and observed globally on September 21.

"It is a shared day for all humanity to commit to peace above all difference and to celebrate building a culture of peace.”

The opening speech will be given by principal Andy Dobson, before an afternoon of performances including music, poetry and speakers interspersed with short films.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Music will be provided by Black Country Brass and JJ Vibez Music Group from the Kadoma School For The Blind in Zimbabwe.

Renowned poet Keisha will be introduced by Leslie Fairclough, of InspireYou, and there will also be speeches from human rights activist Todd Maforimbo and Midlands peacekeeper David Shuck.

In 2020, MAS Lab will be collaborating with organisations across the UK to help combat criminal gang-related activities.

In anticipation of next year’s focus, the concert will welcome special guests Blaire Kirk Adderley and Mark Murray from the Tutu Foundation and Youth Futures anti-knife crime and serious youth violence team who will be sharing their experiences of the Round Table initiatives in London.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Author and professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of the West of Scotland, Dr Ross Deuchar, will also be addressing the issues.

Cat Draper, deputy principal for learning and quality, will then be speaking about Kidderminster College's 140th anniversary and introducing ex-music student Tom Whittaker who will talk about his recent work in Cambodia.

Deputy principal Palvinder Singh will close the day with Sam Cook’s 'A Change Is Gonna Come'.

The event is free to all and tickets can be requested at eventbrite.co.uk.

World Peace Day will also see the launch of a 'living grow room', an indoor green space for learners and visitors to admire and study inside, situated in Kidderminster College’s reception area.

MAS Lab patrons include Robert Plant, Karl Hyde, and Bev Bevan.