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The Women's Library
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Helen MacRae interviewed by Elaine Ruth White

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Helen.
The cleverness and cunning of tactics used in the non-violent protest employed by the women of the Greenham peace camp and the phenomenal energy unleashed are two of the main themes of Helen's story. However, Helen also talks eloquently about how the camp, inclusive at first, became increasingly divided, with an emphasis on extreme aspects of feminist ideology, how sleeping with men was perceived to be sleeping with the enemy. Helen describes how she responded to this as a single mother of a young son who attended a creche run by men as the women demonstrated.
Helen was interviewed by Elaine Ruth White in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Heather Platt interviewed by Florence Weston

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Heather was at Greenham with her sister and remembers it as a time of innocence, where everything was possible. She talks about women being emancipated without even realising it and how the energy of the camp was about 'light, love and humour'. Heather still sings the songs and would love to meet up with other women who were at Blue Gate.
Heather was interviewed by Florence Weston in 2019.

Hannah Schafer interviewed by Rebecca Mordan

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Hannah.
Hannah was at Blue Gate and starts by describing her time at Greenham as 'Fun. With a capital F. U. N.' She talks about vigilantes, her time in prison, evictions and infiltrations of the camp by one particular journalist. Her overriding memories are of the women she met, how being around women all the time created an experience that was markedly different to the mixed protests she joined afterwards and what made Greenham special to her and why it should be remembered by us all.
Hannah was interviewed by Rebecca Mordan in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Greenham Women Everywhere Oral Testimonies

This series inludes the oral history testimonies collected as part of the Greenham Women Everywhere project between 2019 and 2021. Each folder includes the audio recording of the interview together with a transcript of it, and a photograph of the intervieew/s where available.
The project team has travelled the UK interviewing the women who formed the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp. This is the largest collection of oral testimonies of the women yet collated, digitised and made available to the public.

Please note more interviews will be added in the coming months.

Greenham Women Everywhere

  • uklse-as1gw01
  • Collection
  • 2019-2021

This collection includes digital archives produced by Greenham Women Everywhere, a partnership project between Scary Little Girls Association and The Heroine Collective.

The project was funded by Heritage Lottery South West and Supported by The University of The West of England in Bristol, Cornwall Council, Falmouth University, The Women’s Library at The London School of Economics, The East End Women’s Museum, Goldsmiths University of London, The Hypatia Trust, The Feminist Library, Kresen Kernow, the UK Parliament Vote 100 Project and Dreadnought South West.

Frankie Armstrong interiewed by Rebecca Mordan

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Frankie.
Frankie is a folk singer who has sung professionally in the womenas and peace movements since the 1960s. She talks about how all the women were linked up and like-minded, even when factions developed and how many of those connections have lasted. She recalls her experiences of Greenham as someone without sight, including dealings with police and their horses and of course, the power of song.
Frankie was interviewed by Rebecca Mordan in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Fran De'Ath interviewed by Florence Weston

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Fran.
Fran became known as the woman who invited people for tea in her tipi, immortalised in the photograph of her by Edward Barber sitting in front of a large sign saying 'Hello can you stop for a talk?'
She approached local residents in town as a 'hippy in disguise' to invite them for tea at the camp. Fran was at times a signatory on the bank account, was interviewed many times, and spoke about Greenham at the UN.
Fran was interviewed by Florence Weston in 2019.

Fenja Hill interviewed by Sarah Learmonth

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Originally from a military family, Fenja makes no bones about her reasons for coming to camp not being at all political, initially at least. She talks about the importance of being valued to women's development, recounts what it's like to be constantly evicted, the dis-information given to soldiers about the peace women and describes numerous spontaneous actions that infuriated the authorities. Fenja is clear that the legacy of Greenham has informed everything she's done since.
Fenja was interviewed by Sarah Learmonth in 2019.

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.

Estelle Poingdestre and Jane Staffieri interviewed by Tricia Grace-Norton

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Estelle.
'A Blot on the Landscape'
Estelle and Jane talk about the hostile way in which they were represented in the Press. 'Dirty, rebellious, anarchists, women transgressing the normal female role when they should be at home cooking and looking after their families.' They also reflect on the hostility that the men, left at home, received from other men about letting their wives go off.
Jane tells the story of the secret, well-rehearsed and surprise action in which she and Estelle's mother, Mary, took part. With the women working in twos, Jane stood on Mary's shoulders, reaching up with bolt cutters to slice through the main holding points which caused a huge area of the fence to fall down, taking the soldiers inside by surprise. On being arrested, along with others, she refused to pay the fine of 30 pounds and talks about her experience of serving one week in Holloway Prison.
They both talk about the importance of ensuring that future generations learn of Greenham and that it is possible to make a difference in the world and change Government Policy, if you choose to do so. They said that when the Women of Greenham came together in peaceful and powerful collaboration, they achieved their goal which was to close down the Base to protect the world's children and future generations from the damage of cruise missiles. Together we changed the World.
Estelle and Jane were interviewed by Tricia Grace-Norton in March 2021.
Estelle provided her photograph.

Elspeth Owen, Julia Ball and Gerd Browne interviewed by June Hughes

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and photographs of Elspeth, Julia and Gerd.
Elspeth is interviewed with her close friends Julia Bell and Gerd Browne. They met through a Cambridge peace group and were on one of the first walks from Wales. They produced a book, 1983/4, an anthology of women's writing, 'MY COUNTRIES - THE WHOLE WORLD FROM SAPPHO TO GREENHAM', now out of print. They felt empowered by the Greenham experience, Elspeth going on to be a successful potter, Julia, already an artist, inspired to continue, and Gerd opening her own bookshop.
They were interviewed by June Hughes in Cambridge in 2019.
They were photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Elizabeth Woodcraft interviewed by Rebecca Mordan

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Elizabeth.
Liz went to Greenham with her mum and for Embrace the Base. After being impressed by the women dancing on the silos on New Year's Eve, she represented them at their hearings at Newbury Magistrates Court, remembering the women singing all their answers in court and consequently being sent to the cells. She talks about the impact Greenham Women had on the law and how some women went to Greenham to escape sexual abuse and violence, partly leading to her becoming involved in Women's Aid. She describes Greenham as a wonderful place to be with women being supportive and sisterly.
Liz was interviewed by Rebecca Mordan in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Elizabeth Greenland interviewed by Florence Weston

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Elizabeth.
Elizabeth talks emotionally about the strength women found in each other and how it felt to have that awakening to your own power. She talks about chanting and singing around the perimeter fence with a group of women, a visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and how proud she is of the success of Greenham to the peace movement.
Elizabeth was interviewed by Florence Weston in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Dr Janet Smith interviewed by Sarah Learmonth

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Janet.
Remarkably Janet hand-wrote her entire PhD thesis at Greenham during a time when there were daily evictions. She remembers it being anarchic but not chaotic, a community of women that in her words, 'Had your back'. Janet took part in many small and large actions and particularly remembers one blockade where the seated women were rushed by mounted police.
Janet was interviewed by Sarah Learmouth in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Diana Derioz interviewed by Tricia Grace-Norton

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
3 Generations at Greenham, her mother Ursula, daughter Diana and granddaughter, Fenella. Diana has been a pacifist all her life and set up the Totnes Women for Peace. In 1982 she went to the first Greenham demonstration of women's hands around the fence. She had been on many mixed demonstrations which were often violent and thought that women could do it differently.
She lived at Greenham part-time for nearly 3 years. She took part in all of the actions including: The Black Cardigan Demonstration, Easter, Dragon Day Bunny Party. She reads a very interesting letter she sent to her children about the Easter Action she attended with her 3 years old daughter in April 1983. Her mother attended all the demonstrations and was arrested (aged 63) for dancing on the base along with 80 other women and spent 3 weeks in Holloway as examples. She has a press cutting about her mother 'Gran's Strip Ordeal' as Ursula refused a strip search. Diana was arrested and insisted at being tried in her local court supported by many Greenham women.
She speaks very eloquently about the creative conversations with women from around the world (including the miners' wives) sitting around the fire and trying to escape the smoke. She talked about how the women put 'energy' into the vehicles breaking down when they were being removed or making them invisible when trying to hide. 'We really believed in those spells' as they always seemed to work.
Diana was interviewed by Tricia Norton in 2019.

Di McDonald interviewed by Emma Gliddon

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
An interview with veteran campaigner Di Macdonald who was at Greenham from the early days and then went on to be a crucial link to Cruise watch in the South East and an inspiration to many of us. Her van was an iconic part of the chase around the countryside after cruise missiles on the move. At the time of the interview, Di continues to campaign against nuclear weapons.
Di was interviewed by Emma Gliddon on 17th March 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.

Clayre Gribben interviewed by Leslie Lyle

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Clayre.
Clayre spent a summer in the mid 1980s at Greenham with a group of friends. She shared baths, broke into the base, cut through wire, sang, did workshops, learned crafts, got arrested, and was part of Cruise Watch. She remembers a fantastic community. 'We have to stop reinventing causes every time. We must try to learn from each other and not think we are doing things for the first time. There is this wave that just grows and grows and keeps growing a we musn't let it die, otherwise we have to start again.'
Clayre was interviewed by Leslie Lyle in London in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Clare Pattinson and Polly High interviewed by Leslie Lyle

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Clare and Polly.
Clare's parents were Catholic and part of the Pax Christi peace movement. Polly's parents were a part of CND and she joined them from a young age on demonstrations. Neither stayed at Greenham but both made frequent day visits with supplies and fresh vegetables.
The only occasion that Clare stayed was one February night when she woke in a bender with 4 inches of snow on her feet - 'Iave never been so cold in my life'. Both discuss the role of men in helping at Greenham a visiting the women with children, bringing supplies, helping with Cruise Watch. Clare, also involved in Cruise Watch, describes driving at night to watch the missile convoys: 'They were terrifying, it was like being in a horror movie.'
Polly and Clare were interviewed by Leslie Lyle in Kent in 2019.
They were photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Celia Chasey interviewed by Kitty Gurnos Davies

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Celia helped set-up and run Hayford Peace Camp a a sister camp to Greenham Common that allowed both men and women to protest together. She visited Greenham for Embrace the Base and describes how they decorated the wire fence. She describes protest activities including cruise watch at night in cars along the M4 and monitoring the transport of goods in and out of the camp. Celia is a wonderful artist and made many of the banners for Hayford and discusses the song and dance that surrounded the peace movement. With her husband, Celia hosted many members of the Hayford Peace Camp in her house and relates the sacrifices and impact of protesting on family life. In a particularly touching moment, Celia reads out a poem that her daughter had written aged 16. Much of the interview is structured around looking at photographs and material Celia had collected relating to the peace camps.
Celia was interviewed by Kitty Gurnos Davies in 2019.

Catherine Leyow interviewed by Nicky Arikoglu

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Catherine.
A member of CND, Catherine first visited Greenham for Embrace the Base in December 1982 and continued to visit over the years, finally living permanently at Yellow Gate from June 1988 to May 1989. She participated in many NVDAs, was arrested multiple times, and served two prison sentences in Holloway.
Catherine was interviewed by Nicky Arikoglu in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

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