Description
Object description
British civilian member of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament at Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp, GB, 1981-1985
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1957-1980: family and childhood in North Shields; education; degree of political awareness at sixth form college; opinion of period as student studying politics at University of Newcastle; reason for becoming interested in nuclear issues; studying Chinese as language student at School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Aspects of period as member of a women's refuge and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in GB, 1980-1981: reason for joining women's refuge and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; role with women's refuge; problems encountered.
REEL 2 Continues: description of working with victims of domestic violence at women's refuge; work for Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament during Protest and Survive demonstration, 1980; impact of demonstration on Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and role with organisation; opinion of Dr Helen Caldicott; opinion of Bruce Kent; demographic structure of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; attitude of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament to issue of cruise missiles; reaction of British public to presence of American missiles and bases in GB; story of driving model of cruise missile around Cornwall.
REEL 3 Continues: opinion of Vice-Chairperson John Cox; reaction to election of Joan Ruddock as Chairperson; question of male dominance in Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament leadership; opinion of Joan Ruddock's leadership style; relations between Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Trades Union movement; research into links between nuclear arms and domestic technology; attitude to opposition movement led by Lady Olga Maitland; support from Labour Party members of parliament and local councils; story of setting up of Nuclear Free Zones; role of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in education; further comments on Joan Ruddock; disagreements within Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; reaction to setting up of Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp and first visit, 1981.
REEL 4 Continues: Recollections of period as member of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament at Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp in GB, 1981-1985: initial impressions of RAF Greenham Common and women protestors; reason for wanting to become involved with camp; story of first official meeting between Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Greenham Common female protesters; attitude to camp being all female; opinion of organisation of camp; attitude of Bruce Kent to camp; relations between Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and female protesters in camp; reflections on first visit to camp; reason for becoming link between Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp; lifestyle of women in camp.
REEL 5 Continues: description of role in 'Embrace the Base' event, 12/1981; reason for event and aims; preparations for use of non-violent direct action; question of empowerment of women; role of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; participation of male Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament members; age range of protestors; reaction from inside base to event; description of activities at different gates on base; question of avoiding arrest and police protection; opinion of success of 'Embrace the Base' event.
REEL 6 Continues: arrests; role in clearing up after event; reaction of authorities to 'Embrace the Base' event; impact of 'Embrace the Base' event on peace movement; publicity; further visits to Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp; development of gates around RAF Greenham Common; acting as spokespeople for Greenham Common female protesters; support received from politicians, trade unionists and other public figures; relations between Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Greenham Common female protesters; story of delivery of goods from Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament to Greenham Common; description of 'mirrors' event, 1982; opinion of success of event; question of white middle class demographic of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Greenham Common female protestors; role in attempting to create anti-racist working group within Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; opinion of black American activist Wilmette Brown.
REEL 7 Continues: problem of disagreements amongst female protesters at Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp; further comments on 'mirrors' event; reaction to arrival of cruise missiles and press coverage; reaction to removal of cruise missiles by United States Air Force at night for launching exercises; opinion of telephone network; description of night tracking system; role operating all-night telephone; story of protest at RAF Molesworth.
REEL 8 Continues: description of 'human chain' event linking Greenham Common, Burghfield and Aldermaston, 1/4/1983; role in organising logistics; relations with police force and local people; attitude towards Peace Camps; problems following end of event; opinion of success of 'human chain' event; reaction from local press; description of non-violent direct action event at RAF Greenham Common, 2/4/1983.
REEL 9 Continues: reason for non-violent direct action role play; attitude to use of violence against women protestors; story of dealing with Peace Convoy; question of lesbian protestors being stereotyped; attitude to feminism and relations with mother; international reactions to Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp and peace movement; story of visit to People's Republic of China; role of Greenham Common female protesters at international conferences; comparison of international profile of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp.
REEL 10 Continues: arrests and prison sentences; description of bolt cutters known as 'black cardigans'; recreational activities at Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp; opinion of film 'Carry Greenham Home'; opinion of character of Greenham Commen female protesters; relations with workers at RAF Greenham Common; opinion of Berkshire Constabulary Chief Constable Wyn Jones based at Newbury; relations with Metropolitan Police; story of being surrounded by policemen; further comments on disagreements among Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp female protestors; effect of Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp protest on end of Cold War and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament policy; relations between Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp female protesters; description of work with Greater London Council and Camden Council after leaving Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
REEL 11 Continues: Aspects of period as lawyer in London, GB, 1995-2003: description of role at Doughty Street Chambers, London; problem of abuse from other members of staff; importance of previous experience in coping with abuse; ongoing relations with former Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp female protesters; attitude to current (2003) human rights issues, including asylum seekers and Guantanamo detainees; effect of 9/11 attacks on human rights issues and British Government policy.