Coventry Peace House opens on Thursday 21 January at 12 noon when the shutters come down on a row of houses next to Ordnance Road Post Office. The houses, which have been empty for several years, have been bought by Coventry Peace House Housing Co-operative Ltd, a Friendly Society formed by members of Alvis Peace Camp.

The Peace House will become a permanent peace resource for Coventry offering information, a peace library, a campaigning base, peace education in schools, and community mediation. One house will be available for refugees. It will also provide a communal home for those wanting to work for peace.

The first week-end of every month will be an activity week-end, where helpers are invited to offer labour and skills for the considerable renovation work which needs to be done, in return for food and accommodation in a happy environment. The work will be done with reused materials where possible and the emphasis will be on minimum energy needs. There is also a large garden which will provide food and refreshment. The Peace House members will be learning a lot about ecological design and practice, and sharing this knowledge with others.

Co-op member Penny Walker said

"In order to work for peace in the world we must also work for peace in our local community and in our home. Peace means respect for the earth as well as the people who inhabit it. We are very lucky to have a strong network of support from local people to enable us to set up this exciting project. We see it as a community resource and welcome ongoing involvement from those around us."