Devonport

There were lots of differences with this year’s peace pirate’s camp. We were not in Plymouth nor even Devon but camped in Thanckes Park in Torpoint with a view across the river to submarines in Devonport dockyard. The TP camp was a glorious site despite the severe downpours of rain with two rows of twenty flags on bamboo poles at the edge of the site. The huge banners were well positioned in the trees and firmly tied to withstand the gale force winds without coming down. One of the banners showed our campsite "peace pirate’s camp" and then all in red with toxic signs the dockyard direcly the other side of the river. There was a glow in the dark skull and crossbones as you approached from the water.

The camp was set up on Thursday and we were generously treated by the Torpoint residents and the council who arranged to leave the toilets open during the night during the camp. We were surprised at the number of residents who were glad we were there and felt the camp was a good addition to the park. Lots of good discussions were had and even some ex-dockyard workers were quite sympathetic to our case. It was certainly a great site to have contact with the local people. There were late arrivals of campers Thursday and then a few more Friday.

We had help from some interested young people that knew one of the Tamarians and that was a great contact as a number of their friends got involved over the weekend. I think the average age of campers dropped from 50 to 30ish this year.

Friday there was a lot of preparation for the Lord Mayor’s parade and some great props accompanied our bid to enter the parade. CND had been banned from having a float so the TP group decided a bit of street theater and joining right in was required. Quite a few people had been disturbed by the ban and were really happy to see us there to right a wrong. We were joined by some local young people who held our banner high and loved the chant started by A-L wearing a WMD "Immoral, illegal, expensive and useless!!!" This colourful cohort of pirates, weapon inspectors, reporters, submarine and our dedicated police escort with the high tech eye piece to film followed us through town.

We were really excited when the two peace boats were sailing along beside us in the water on the way down to the Barbican. One of those boats made a quick stop on Drake’s Island which got a cheer from the TP landlubbers in the parade. One of the boats had come down from Penzance (complete with peace symbol on the sail) for camp sailed by Peter and Sarah.

Finally Saturday night was dry when we returned and we were able to have a fire on the beach with the water quite still and rising up to meet our tealight display of a peace symbol. It was beautiful and moving, so although we missed our multi-faith circle this year, this event had all that kind of power...and was facing the Trident refit berth.

Sunday we packed up with some delay by the military police due to some decoration of the Thanckes fuel tanks beside our camp. The sniffer dog chose one of the tents, nearly the only one left standing and a search was required. They considered unpacking the van but there was a bit of complaint and they then left us to finish packing. One elderly local helped carry something up the hill for us and said to me, "That seemed a bit overzealous just to make sure you left."

A very good camp for networking and building support, and thanks to all who did brave the wild weather. There are lots of individual stories and I hope people will share them with everyone.

Photos available here

  Pictures from the Camp in 2005
  Pictures from the Camp in 2004
  Devonport Disarmament Camp 2004

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