IT was in sombre mood that 52 members of Teignbridge's Stop the War Coalition boarded a coach in Newton Abbot on Saturday morning and set off for London to join the biggest anti-war demonstration yet seen in the UK.
They were to walk alongside more than an estimated one million people, spanning a variety of age, race and religion, who descended upon the capital in an effort to effectively knock Tony Blair from his war footing
Robin Murch, a leading voice in the Teignbridge branch of the Coalition, described it as 'a humbling, yet impressive moment,' when the march flooded Hyde Park.
'It was an affirmation of the sanctity of human life and our common resolve to oppose war with Iraq,' said Mr Murch.
'The professional care of the police and authorities likewise was a credit to our nation and a fine example of a free democratic society. All this was a magnificent moment of light in what continues to be dark days for the world.'
Perhaps inevitably though, and an indication of the strength of the prime minister's resolve regarding military action, the protest seems to have done little to dent the plans being forged in Whitehall.
Similarly, Mr Murch says the coalition will continue to protest peacefully against any war that does not have the backing of the United Nations.
'Saturday was not the climax of the protests,' said Mr Murch. 'The vigils and the demonstrations will continue and we will keep pushing democratically and within the law.'
On March 15, more localised demonstrations will take place in cities across the country, including Exeter.