Devonport

Thursday morning started damp and overcast and, due to crossed wires, the van from Scotland, which was expected on Wednesday evening, hadn’t arrived. By 11 o’clock the sun was shining and Sandra Leslie was itching to get started so an advance guard of Chipper, Greg, Ivor, Matt, Mark and Sandra set off for the campsite at Drake’s Hill. Soon one large and two small tents were set up and Matt went off to put up signposts. At the Mowhay Road entrance he was happened upon by two of Devon and Cornwall’s "friendly police liaison officers" - the site was no longer a secret. In the early afternoon Eric and Peter arrived from Helensburgh and people were appearing and with some sweating the tat was carried the hundred or so yards to the camp much to the interest of the workers in the nearby bread factory. Most arrivals admired the fine view from our hillside across the north end of the naval base and the river. A few exceptions were a large police presence drifting around and two gentlemen from Plymouth City Council. Armed with maps they told us that we were on council property and they would be seeking a possession order to evict us. They were informed that we would only be there until Monday and it would be a pointless exercise. Ganesh and Rhona turned up with the kitchen which was quickly erected and the camp felt established if somewhat insecure due to the threat of eviction. That evening’s meeting decided that our first line of defence would be to challenge the order in the County Court the next morning. Friday had its ups and downs. Before dawn the Muriel Lesters (if only all affinity groups were as active) and a few supporters set off for Camel’s Head Gate in the van. They were followed, stopped, searched and arrested including Elizabeth of Plymouth Group who was following in her own car to take photos and give out leaflets. All were bundled off to Charles Cross police station. Matt and Margaret headed for the County Court for 9.30 where they found out that no orders for "interim possession" had been applied for and the JPs were not sitting that day - the threatened eviction disappeared like the rain clouds and the immediate future looked bright. A small picket was then established outside the police station for an hour or so until lunchtime. Friday afternoon brought a two hour visit from "police liaison" and another from the council who informed us that if we were not gone from Drake’s Hill by midday Tuesday eviction proceedings would be started. At about six o’clock the detainees began to be released and were brought back to camp. Kate Holcombe, Elizabeth Knight and Janet Smith face no charges whatsoever. The rest have to return at a later date including Yong Woo from Korea who wasn’t questioned due to the lack of an interpreter. The van was impounded by the police following a call to the hirers - by the police - about the mornings events. Saturday began with the unexpected and very welcome donation of bread and rolls from the bakery at the back of the campsite. The day’s programme was leafleting in the town centre followed by a picnic at the Peace Gardens (Dedicated To All Those Striving For World Peace) on Plymouth Hoe. Here again our "police liaison" turned up, as chatty as always. Meanwhile, on another part of the Hoe, a group of women from Totnes and Plymouth performed a ritual of healing and peace and then processed towards St.Levan’s Gate, the nearest gate to HMS Vanguard itself. Needless to say this unannounced action drew a large police presence as well as plenty of supportive beeps from passing motorists. An hour or so after the end of the picnic "police liaison" appeared at the campsite. By this time everyone was sick of these blatant intrusions and they were told to back off, which they did, and police presence generally was scaled down. The afternoon took on a sunnier relaxed aspect including workshops with an excellent session on ISOLUS - the MoD’s consultations on what to do with all the submarines redundant nuclear reactors - led by Peter Lanyon, with input from Peter Le Mare of CND Council and members of CANSAR, a Plymouth-based pressure group.

Saturday night saw a sharp frost but a bright start to Sunday morning helped the warm camp atmosphere. More workshops took place, including planning for next year’s camp. An article in Plymouth’s Sunday Independent complained about foreigners arguing that we may have to put up with European bureaucrats but why should Plymouth put up with European protesters! A multi-faith service was held at Drake Gate on Sunday afternoon and the evening centred on planning for the next day’s blockade.

Despite low numbers due to the clash with Lakenheath and people preparing for Bomspotting, Monday’s action at Camel’s Head Gate went well. The usual massive police present didn’t stop a partial blockade and two arrests - well done Nick and Panda. Media interest throughout the camp was high, raising the issue of nuclear weapons and nuclear power in the city of Plymouth. Although some sections of the local press was complaining about "outsiders" no hostility was encountered all weekend. Perhaps, though, the best quote came from (I think) Peter Lanyon who said, "It doesn’t matter what people in Plymouth do think or don’t think, nuclear weapons are a global issue."

A second van was hired on Monday afternoon to get the tat back to Scotland and by 10.30 on Tuesday everything was packed, the pits were filled in, all rubbish removed and a clear site was left for the enjoyment of the local dog-walkers. Far too many people put in sterling work for them all to be thanked here but, hopefully, they will all return in May with lots of friends and allies. We’ll see you then!

Latest press releases about Devonport

Printer friendly version

Home | Top