Showing 149 results

Collection description
The Women's Library Folder
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Jenny Engledow interviewed by Kate Kerrow

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Jenny.
Jenny was a figure at Greenham throughout its entire existence, watching the camp change and develop until its closure. This is a tender, fascinating interview which recounts many details of living at camp in terms of day-to-day life, coping with arrests and facing courts, and the solidarity of the women and the commitment to their cause.
Jenny was interviewed by Kate Kerrow in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Jude Munden interviewed by Rebecca Mordan

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Jude.
Jude left home and joined The Fallout Marching Band, an anti-nuclear street protest band based in London, at the age of 15 and went to Greenham with some of them. She remembers regularly hitching to Greenham, Non-Violent Direct Actions and crawling through the bushes with bolt cutters. The interview is in two parts - from 41.45 she is looking at photos from her time at Greenham which spark some more memories. This interview was recorded outside and there is some background noise of the wind and the birds.
Jude was interviewed by Rebecca Mordan in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Judith Niechcial interviewed by Josephine Liptrott

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Josephine.
Judith had a long career as a social worker and educator and worked latterly with the NSPCC, Goldsmiths and London University. She was studying for a post-graduate degree at Cardiff University in 1982 when her tutor encouraged her to attend Embrace the Base. She returned several times after that first visit and felt it was vital that Greenham was a women-only space and protest site. Judith was involved in the SE London Women for Life on Earth group and organised a march between Greenham Common and Menwith Hill in Yorkshire.
Judith was interviewed by Josephine Liptrott in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Leah Thalman and Diana Proudfoot interviewed by Sarah Learmonth

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Leah left a job as a social worker to stay at Greenham in 1983, by which time she was in her mid-fifties, and Diana joined the camp in 1984. They learned how to build benders, were arrested and imprisoned numerous times around the country and Diana remembers being asked by one prisoner if she was from Greenham because 'You've got that liberated look'. They describe Greenham as a 'university of the open air' where the women-only, non-violent environment made space for creativity in resistance.
Leah and Diana were interviewed by Sarah Learmonth in 2019.

Lisa Halse interviewed by Sara Sherwood

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Spurred into peace activism as a teenager after seeing images of the Vietnam War, Lisa would travel to Greenham Common from Devon. In this interview, she discusses the ongoing legacy of Greenham Common and her work with 'Carry Greenham Home' which built alliances and educated local communities.
Lisa was interviewed by Sara Sherwood in 2019.

Lyn Barlow interviewed by Rebecca Mordan

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Lyn.
Lyn left care at 18 and took a student trip to Greenham. This first visit had a huge impact on Lyn who visited regularly and moved to Greenham permanently 3 years later. Lyn's attitude to non-violence threaded through her engagement with MOD soldiers and squaddies and she describes talking with them about all sorts of subjects. Lyn went to various prisons many times, stating that there was no real stereotypical woman in prison, only stereotypical circumstances that conspired to put them there. She believes Greenham has valuable lessons in critical thinking that are just as relevant to young women today.
Lyn was interviewed by Rebecca Mordan in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Rosalind Clark interviewed by Sarah Learmonth

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Arriving at Greenham with her 4 year old daughter at 27 years old, Ros soon gravitated to Green Gate. Her memories are about the unity of singing and artistic expression, the quietly powerful strength of women together and the challenge of constantly questioning yourself, whether you wanted to or not. Having met so many women who had been abused in various ways by the men in their lives, Ros went on to qualify as a counsellor. For Ros, the legacy of Greenham was the strong sense of female empowerment and support.
Ros was interviewed by Sarah Learmonth in 2019.

Rosy Bremer interviewed by Nicky Arikoglu

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Rosy arrived at Greenham in 1989 visiting frequently until living permanently at Yellow Gate between 1993-1997. The INF Treaty had been signed and the Cruise missiles were being removed, public and media interest in the nuclear threat had diminished. However, Rosie participated in multiple NVDA's, including those at Aldermaston and Burghfield. She believes it was the low-level, constant, daily disruption to the military that effected the removal of the cruise missiles and return of the common land to the people. Greenham, she thinks, was a model for women to speak out on major political issues. Imprisoned thirteen times, including for actions against the later war in Iraq, Rosy's unshakeable belief is that individuals, united in the face of injustice or mis-use of state authority can fight back and win.
She was interviewed by Nicky Arikoglu in 2019.

Sally Hay interviewed by Leslie Lyle

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Sally.
'I went to sleep last night pondering whether we made a difference. As I said yesterday, it's my belief that language is critical in making attitudinal changes. The challenges to the standard discourse that the Greenham Women made were like little prods on the wheel of a giant ship. Gradually the ship turns and then it carries on turning and eventually a noticeable change of direction has taken place. We did that. I played a tiny part in that, something of which I am proud. So, thank you all for giving me the opportunity to remember.'
Sally was interviewed by Leslie Lyle in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Sarah Green interviewed by Josephine Liptrott

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Sarah.
Sarah is an environmental campaigner who has been involved in protesting the devastating damage caused to the London wetland areas by HS2. She was already involved in a women's peace group when, attending a rally at Hyde Park in 1981, she heard about Greenham Common and decided to give up her job to live there. She resided at the camp for around five years, based at the main gate which became known as Yellow Gate. She describes an incident during which local vigilantes pulled up in a van to spray the women with offal and discusses the microwave 'zapping' of the protesters during which she feared for her safety. Like other women, Sarah was arrested and imprisoned due to her involvement in non-violent direct action but she had a unique experience of being at Greenham as she gave birth to her son there!
Sarah was interviewed by Josephine Liptrott in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Sue Say (Agege) interviewed by Isabelle Tracy

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Sue.
On Sueas first evening at Greenham she heard a woman talking to a soldier on the other side of the fence. It was that powerful conversation that kept her at Greenham, protesting nuclear missiles but also exploring the multitudes of different ways to be a woman by meeting and talking to amany shades of womena. Sue went to prison many times, took the government to court for illegal strip-searches and won, changing the law in the process. She talks about the radical potential of laughter and creativity, the unconventional methods she and others used to draw attention to issues and the strength in unity at Yellow Gate.
Sue was interviewed by Isabelle Tracy in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Vicki Smith interviewed by Josephine Liptrott

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Vicki.
Vicki first heard about Greenham when studying at Southampton University. She was fascinated by the idea that it was a women-only space and protest.
She initially went as a weekend visitor and later lived there full-time at Blue Gate, staying for about two years.
She broke into the air base three times, on one occasion getting onto the silos and on another running between the shelves of the on-site commissary. Cutting a huge hole in the fence and driving her car onto the runway resulted in a criminal damage conviction.
Vicky was a founder member of Cruisewatch, a group which aimed to monitor and disrupt military manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain. She remembers hostility from the local residents, regular evictions and too many lentils, but also describes a genuinely inclusive and nurturing women-only space where everyone was valued and heard.
Vicki was interviewed by Josephine Liptrott in London in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Interview with Dr Akima Thomas OBE

This file includes the recorded audio of the interview with Dr Akima Thomas OBE, along with a transcript, a summary of the recording, and a photo of the interviewee. At the time of the interview, Akima was the Founder and Clinical Director of Women and Girls Network, a holistic therapeutic service working with women and girls surviving violence. Date of interview: 02/07/2020. Length of recording: 00:55:32.

Interview with Carolina Gottardo

This file includes the recorded audio of the interview with Carolina Gottardo, along with a transcript and a summary of the recording. Carolina, a feminist migrant human rights activist, was Director of the Latin American Women's Rights Service (LAWRS) between 2012 and 2017, a user-led feminist and human rights organisation addressing the practical and strategic needs of Latin American migrant women displaced by poverty and violence. At the time of the interview, Carolina was also a member of the UN Women's Global Expert Working Group on Gender and Migration. Date of interview: 26/10/2020. Length of recording: 00:50:08.

Interview with Ranjit Kaur

This file includes the recorded audio of the interview with Ranjit Kaur, along with a transcript, a summary of the recording, and a photo of the interviewee. Between 2000 and the end of 2007, Ranjit was Director of Rights of Women, a charity that increased women's access to justice through the provision of legal advice and information. As Director, Ranjit ensured that women's rights were seen as a human rights issue. Date of interview: 20/01/2020. Length of recording: 01:16:16.

Zohl de' Ishtar interviewed by Vanessa Pini

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Zohl.
Irish-Australian Lesbian, Zohl de' Ishtar has worked with Indigenous Australian and Pacific women for 40 years. While at Greenham, she initiated Britainas aWomen for a Nuclear Free and Independent Pacifica. Zohl arrived at Greenham on her 30th birthday in 1982 and describes Green Gate as, 'The best place in the world.' She talks about the camp being infiltrated by police officers and the media, links with other peace camps around the world, including Pine Gap in Australia and getting arrested at Heathrow airport for forming a blockade and singing Greenham songs. She also recalls 'the zap' and the effects it had. Zohl has written several books and is currently working on a new book with the working title 'Greenham's Pacific Journey'.
Zohl was interviewed by Vanessa Pini in September 2020.

Interview with Lee Eggleston OBE and Sheila Coates MBE

This file includes the recorded audio of the interview with Lee Eggleston OBE and Sheila Coates MBE, along with a transcript, a summary of the recording, and a photo of the interviewees. At the time of the interview, they were the Operations Manager and Director of South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre respectively. Sheila and Lee set up the South East Essex Rape and Incest helpline as a women's collective in 1984. The organisation developed over the years to become South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre (SERICC), which at the time of the interview was the lead partner for the Essex-wide sexual violence and abuse services, under the title Synergy Essex. Furthermore, at the time of the interview, Lee was also a trustee of Rape Crisis England and Wales and a regional representative for Rape Crisis England and Wales, representing the Eastern region. Date of interview: 30/01/2020. Length of recording: 01:18:51.

Evelyn Parker interviewed by Leslie Lyle

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Evelyn's involvement in Greenham started in 1979 when Newbury was informed that missiles would be sited there, and she took an interest through the local Labour Party. She is a Quaker, and speaks of how she distanced herself from confrontation, although she was very involved on moral and ethical grounds. In 1982 Evelyn took part in the Embrace the Base action and goes on to describe RAGE (Ratepayers Against Greenham Encampment) which took unpleasant action against the women such as tearing down the camps and using maggots and blood, resulting in many locals opposing their treatment. She shares her memories of Aldermaston, zapping, changes in the law, and the influence her environmental campaigning has had on her children. Her memories of Cruise Watch include how one woman put a potato down the vertical exhaust of one of the military vehicles, managing to stop the whole convoy!
Evelyn was interviewed by Leslie Lyle in September 2020.

Interview with Esuantsiwa Jane Goldsmith

This file includes the recorded audio of the interview with Esuantsiwa Jane Goldsmith, along with a transcript, a summary of the recording, and a photo of the interviewee. At the time of the interview, Esua was the Director of the Healing Solidarity International Feminist Collective, as well as a feminist activist and writer, with a lifetime's experience in the women's sector locally, nationally and internationally. Esua was the first woman of colour to be elected Chair of the Fawcett Society, and co-founder and (at the time of the interview) Chair of the Gender and Development Network. She was a commissioner for the Women's National Commission, and a member of the UK Government delegation to the UN's fourth World Conference on Women, in Beijing in 1995. Date of interview: 01/03/2021. Length of recording: 01:22:47.

Avryl and Tembre de Carteret interviewed by Vanessa Pini

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Avryl and Tembre.
Avryl, her mum Marlene, her daughter Tembre, her sister, niece, neighbour's kids and friends all travelled to Embrace the Base from Dorset after hearing about Greenham through a women's consciousness raising group and CND. Avryl remembers Greenham being very welcoming, feeling at home and safe sitting drinking tea and chatting to women. She talks about the huge lesbian community which Avryl became part of, finding safety with women that she couldn't find anywhere else. She recalls putting ribbon and children's toys on the fence, the holding of hands and the power that came from that.
The community of women Tembre grew up with had a powerful impression on her. She is now a circle song leader; gathering women to sing, and feels she must have absorbed Embrace the Base as a child. Avryl reads some of her mother Marlene's poems about Greenham which feature in her book of poems and writings. The interview ends with Tembre singing a beautiful rendition of one of her grandma's poems, who she says found her tribe at Greenham.
Avryl and Tembre were interviewed by Vanessa Pini in March 2021.

Carolyn Barnes interviewed by Tricia Grace-Norton

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
'Peace Woman refuses to pay fine, birthday in custody. Southampton Peace Woman, spent her 21st birthday in police custody at the start of a 7 day prison sentence for refusing to pay fines imposed after she took part in a blockade at Greenham Common.'
Carolyn Barnes shares the story behind the newspaper headline in the Southampton Daily Echo. She became involved with Greenham after moving from Bolton to attend Southampton University. She joined various groups including CND, 3rd World First and a local group 'Families Against the Bomb'. Her friend, Di McDonald, used to take a group of them to Greenham for demonstrations in her campervan.
Carolyn talks about being new to politics when first staying at Blue Gate, the cruise missiles being brought in, the excitement of a women-only space, treatment by the police, prison, poetry and impact on her family. She also recalls people not expecting women to stick up for each other and the different ways in which women reacted to the balance of power.
Carolyn describes Greenham as earthy, real, natural and primal.
Carolyn was interviewed by Tricia Grace-Norton in February 2021.

Oak Chezar interviewed by Vanessa Pini

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Oak.
Oak Chezar arrived at Greenham from America in 1985 when she was 29 and stayed at both Blue and Yellow Gates until 1988. She talks about zapping, the effects of radiation, evictions and how Greenham changed her life, leading her into a women's performance group, teaching Women's Studies and writing. She says that writing kept her sane. Oak also recalls doing headstands in Newbury jail and how living at Greenham stopped her being a germaphobe! Oak Chezar is the author of 'Trespassing, A Memoir of Greenham Common'.
Oak was interviewed by Vanessa Pini in January 2021.

Students of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School interview Sister Naana

This file includes two video recordings of Naana Otoo-Oyortey MBE from FORWARD interviewed by students of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, London. One of the videos is the full length interview, the other is an edited version. The interview was conducted remotely and recorded via a video conferencing platform.
Date of interview: 01/03/2021
Length of recordings: 00:39:40 and 00:04:02

Barbara Tombs interviewed by Vanessa Pini

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Barbara.
Barbara was easily persuaded to visit Greenham with a group of women from Hackney after an upbringing by politicised parents. Her black father and white mother had taken her to see concentration camps in Europe where she learnt the danger of power with no responsibility. She recalls going on demonstrations with her family and experiencing discrimination due to race and class, including police brutality and dishonesty. She also talks about her decision to take her daughter, Ellen, on demonstrations, the strength of having women's protests and the importance of women having status. Barbara found Greenham to be a peaceful and friendly place where she felt safe.
Barbara was interviewed by Vanessa Pini in February 2021.

Students of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School interview Sister Joyce

This file includes two video recordings of Joyce Kallevik from WISH interviewed by students of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, London. One of the videos is the full length interview, the other is an edited version. The interview was conducted remotely and recorded via a video conferencing platform.
Date of interview: 04/03/2021
Length of recordings: 00:46:52 and 00:04:53

Armorel Weston interviewed by Vanessa Pini

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Armorel.
Solidarity brought Armorel to Greenham, being in awe of the women at the camp and wanting to support them. She had been an avid CND member on the front line of activism, originally being politicised by the Cuban missile crisis, but said Greenham was like taking on a new world. She laments at how much irresponsibility there was in the world and remembers being overcome by the messages and emblems on the fence creating a type of art installation when she brought food and Embraced the Base. Armorel has always been a musician and singer. With her band 'The children', she recorded the song 'The Base' and other political songs.
Armorel was interviewed by Vanessa Pini in March 2021.
The photograph was supplied by Armorel.

Carole Stuart-McIvor interviewed by Vanessa Pini

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Carole.
Carole first went to Greenham in protest against the rainbow bomb in 1961/62 after coming out of care at the age of 16. She got arrested and spent a week in Holloway Prison alongside Helen Allegranza and Pat Arrowsmith. Years later, she returned on Christmas Eve, 1982 and talks about the guilt she felt for leaving her kids and mum. She recalls breaking into the base and dancing on the silos on New Year's Day, the incredible barrister Liz Woodcraft representing them in court, hitting her head in the riot van and getting concussed and her second stint in Holloway Prison. Carole also talks about going to a summit in Geneva with Welsh women to protest and give talks. They were deported after covering a public clock with the alternative time of '5 minutes to Midnight', graffitiing over a picture of naked woman on the wall of the police station and being choked by a police officer when caught. She feels it is important for Greenham to be remembered, as you can re-direct the traffic literally and metaphorically if you know people have done it before. Carole had a poem published in 'No Holds Barred', a collection of poems by women, chosen by The Raving Beauties.
Carole was interviewed by Vanessa Pini in April 2021.

Dawn Stewart interviewed by Tricia Grace-Norton

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
When Dawn went to Greenham, the main era had died down but there was still a small group of very determined women at the Yellow Gate, many of whom had been there permanently for over 9 years with just an occasional visit home. She recalls sitting round the campfire telling stories, visitors from Japan, women sharing a common purpose and how nature comes back when you live under the influence of the moon. She also remembers the death of 'Gladys' the Greenham Van, and the replacement, 'Sister of Gladys'! In reflecting on her time at Greenham, Dawn talks about the strength in the solidarity of like-minded women, their resilience which was both powerful and empowering. She believes the Greenham experience is even more relevant with the nuclear threats at the time of the interview.
Dawn was interviewed by Tricia Grace Norton in February 2021.

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