Description
Object description
British civilian anti-nuclear campaigner at Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp, Newbury, Berkshire, GB, 1982-1992
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in India and GB, 1940-1981: family background and education; story of moving to Newbury, Berkshire and role in campaign against heavy tanker aircraft at Greenham Common during 1970s; attitude of local population to campaign. Aspects of period in Newbury, Berkshire, GB, 1981-1987: reaction to plans for siting cruise missiles at Greenham Common airbase; description of Newbury Campaign Against Cruise Missiles and role of Joan Ruddock MP; reaction to women's march from Cardiff to Greenham Common, 1981; first impressions of Greenham Common women's camp and subsequent development; opinion of Ann Pettitt; reaction to Newbury Council's decision to remove women from camp, 1/1982; story of giving shelter to Helen John when wanted by police; opinion of decision to make camp for women only; story of rapes in mixed camp at Molesworth; diversity of backgrounds of Greenham Common women; story of home being used as support base for women; relations with local people and police; description of eviction procedure, 3/1982; question of divisions in CND over Greenham Common; opinion of success of Embrace the Base event, 12/1982.
REEL 2 Continues: further comments on Embrace the Base event and opinion of media coverage; description of actions against sewerage pipe and sentry box, 1981; first imprisonments of women; description of locals removing fence; problem of incurring high phone bills and financial situation; story of feeding 70 women in camp at own expense; opinion of behaviour of guests; story of dancing on silos; description of incursions onto base, by Greenham Common women, 1982; attitude to government and council injunctions, arrests and prison sentences; question of common ownership of land and eviction process; story of blacklisting UK firms working on base and use of sabotage; description of actions on base and attempts to remove women by force, 1983; reaction to Michael Heseltine's announcement that women could be shot if invaded base; story of arrival of cruise missiles at base, 11/1983.
REEL 3 Continues: description of violent confrontation at base and injuries sustained; opinion of press coverage of incident and Bruce Kent's protest; description of expansion of camp and setting up seven gates; explanation of system for preventing deployment of cruise missiles in south of England; attitude to lack of press coverage for women's campaign; story of formation of RAGE ( Residents Against Greenham Encampment), 1984; opinion of RAGE leader Anthony Meyer; description of acts of violence against women by local vigilantes and attitude of police, 1984-1985.
REEL 4 Continues: story of protest at Kidlington Police Station; description of mass evictions and support from Friends Meeting House, 1985; description of meals on wheels system for evicted women; opinion of bailiffs and response from police to complaints; story of successful attempt to sue authorities, 1989; story of recording acts of violence against women; relations between British and US servicemen on base; opinion of behaviour of Newbury District Council; reaction to 'Spetsnaz' accusation against Greenham Common women; importance of growing international links, 1986; description of development of camp from single to multi-issue platform; reaction to bombing of Libya, 1986; story of women invading RAF Welford base and beating of Rebecca Johnson; story of women publicising dangers after Chernobyl explosion, 4/1986; story of women being 'zapped' with electromagnetic waves; description of mutual listening devices; story of overhearing shooting on base; opinion of Kim Besly's work on 'zapping'.
REEL 5 Continues: Aspects of period in Newbury, Berkshire, GB, 1987: description of activities at Greenham Common including erection of radio mast and illegal construction of buildings on base; problem of local houses being damaged in storm; methods of drawing attention to breakdowns in cruise missile convoys; story of conflict between the Yellow Gate and rest of camp and role of Wages for Housework group; attitude to being called a racist; story of having leader of Wages for Housework group Wilmette Brown dismissed from CND; story of trip to Moscow.
REEL 6 Continues: reaction to 1987 INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty and effect on Greenham Common camp; attitude to role of women in removing cruise missiles from GB and effectiveness of non-violent protests; opinion of behaviour of police and Ministry of Defence officials; attitude to legality of base and question of compensation for women arrested; story of being arrested and serving sentence in Holloway Prison; reaction of local people to protests at base; opinion of support from local churches and reason for leaving Roman Catholic church; attitude to importance of defence industry to town's economy; question of dangers at Aldermaston nuclear plant; problem of women living together in camp; opinion of camp following removal of cruise missiles; attitude to travellers in area; question of middle-class nature of camp.
REEL 7 Continues: Aspects of period in Newbury, Berkshire, GB, 1988-1992: reaction to further deployment of cruise missiles following 1987 INF Treaty; opinion of press coverage of cruise missiles issue; story about Annie Ingold; story of making protests to local police; attitude to influence of United States Army Air Force in local area; description of current (1992) anti-nuclear and peace movement activities; reflections on experiences at Greenham Common.