Description
Object description
British civilian riding school owner in Newbury, Berks, GB, 1981-1982; active in organised local opposition to Greenham Common women's peace camp
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in Newbury, Berks, GB, 1981-1982: description of Greenham Common base during 1960s and 1970s; reaction in local community to siting of cruise missiles at base; role of Anglo-American organisation in area; attitude to impact of US military personnel on town and own riding school; story of mounting protests against cruise missiles and formation of peace camp during 1980s; description of different gates into camp; problem of conflicting factions; reaction form locals to Blue Gate women restricting access to Common; story of continuing to ride through camp area and receiving abuse from peace women; description of local youths provoking women in camp; opinion of Cosmic Carnival women's nudist encampment and use of drugs; attitude to women only camp; effects of women's camp on Common and problem of property devaluing; attitude to banning peace women from local shops and pubs; story about swimming pool in town.
REEL 2 Continues: further comments on banning peace women from local shops; effect of camp on local magistrates' courts; attitude to women being shot by US forces if breached final fence of base; reaction to successful appeals by peace women against prosecutions; story of being charged with criminal damage for cutting fence; attitude to commoner's rights and peace women linking campaign with local people; story of joining groups RAGE (Ratepayers Against Greenham Common) and GWO (Greenham Women Out); attitude to use of extreme measures against women advocated by GWO; description of camp diminishing following withdrawal of cruise missiles; role of Miss Shedden in leading GWO; problem of policing Greenham Common; nature of local support groups for women and role of Lynette Edwell; attitude of local press to women's camp; increase of MOD police and troops on base during demonstrations; story of women hitting police horses with barbed wire; reaction among local community to INF Treaty; relations between US forces and locals in Newbury; opinion of role played by women's camp in ending Cold War; story of local people reclaiming Common following removal of cruise missiles and role of peace women.
REEL 3 Continues: legal status of Greenham Common; current situation regarding the Common and local people (Sep/1992); financial situation; story of campaign by District Council with cross-party support for restoration of Common; opinion of Greenham Common women.