Corporate author: Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
Note: For citation purposes check full catalogue reference indicated in Finding aids field.

Corporate author: Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
Note: For citation purposes check full catalogue reference indicated in Finding aids field.

The collection includes the born-digital records of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, British Section (WILPF).

The first series of records consists of oral histories recorded as part of a project called 'These Dangerous Women', to mark the 100th anniversary of WILPF.

Audio recording and transcript of an interview with Maureen Colquhoun. Interviewee: Gaby Weiner. Duration: 58:39:00

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.

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).

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Hilary went to Greenham for a summer with her friend and remembers it being a time when she felt able to say, 'This is for women only.' She talks about the unease of the police when faced with crowds of women pushing back against the establishment, women that were heroes to her, and the education she got from being with other women. Hilary explains how important art was as a form of expression and the lasting impact Greenham had on her life, how she viewed her role in the world and that she'd do it all over again, but with a better tent.
Hilary was interviewed by Florence Weston in 2019.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Jenny was a career teacher at the time she went to Greenham and was involved in many large and small actions eventually going to prison for the 'No name action'. She vividly remembers her time on remand, the trial and then being sent to a prison in Cheshire, far away from home. Jenny recounts asking Tony Benn how influential he thought Greenham women were and feeling validated by his response.
Jenny was interviewed by Florence Weston in 2019.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Judith.
Arriving at Greenham Common from the CND movement, Judith began visiting Greenham Common in 1984/5. Taking a year off during her time at college, Judith spent a transformative nine months living at Greenham Common and went on to visit Aldermaston Womenas Peace Camp for 11 years. A keen visual artist, Judith also produced a book of her photography and drawings from her time at Greenham.
Judith was interviewed by Sara Sherwood in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Judy was 25 and travelling in Australia when she read about Greenham in a magazine. On her return she joined the Embrace the Base demonstration and moved to Yellow Gate at the beginning of 1984. She talks about the learning from so many different women, seeing how the press work and stories get changed, the actions and most of all the excitement and fun. After a few months Judy moved to Orange Gate and recounts her experiences in prison, picketing alongside the miners in Port Talbot and the surreal moment when a Fortnum and Mason van delivered 40 boxes of food from Linda McCartney to the camp.
Judy was interviewed by Isabelle Tracy in 2019.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Lorna was involved in her local CND group from the age of 14 and learnt about Greenham through the Quakers. She talks about how her political and moral views were shaped by her aunt and how she first hitched to Green Gate with two friends when she was 16. Lorna recalls staying at Turquoise Gate, prison sentences, underground nuclear testing and singing songs to keep up energy and morale.
Lorna was interviewed by Rebecca Mordan in 2019.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Lynne.
Lynne was based at Blue Gate, and did Night Watch. She discusses the impact of motherhood on her time at Greenham, and Greenham's impact on motherhood. Working in mental health at the time of the interview, she uses her learning about the way in which women supported one another to inform her practise in helping vulnerable people.
Lynne was interviewed by Kate Kerrow in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Mary visited Greenham when she was 16/17 around 1984/85. Mary visited just for 1 day and was there for the 'Embrace the Brace'. She remembers the fear surrounding nuclear weapons at the time and was apprehensive about visiting Greenham but then felt a sense of invincibility and togetherness with the other women there and genuinely felt that she could make a difference. Mary remembers one of the songs and gives us a rendition of it for us!
Mary was interviewed by Jessica Layton in 2019.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Mica.
Mica came to the peace movement accidentally while living in Manchester and visited Greenham for the first time for the Embrace the Base action. Describing it as a transformational experience, Mica lived at Yellow Gate in 1983. In this interview, Mica meditates on the artistic practices at Greenham, the creative actions which she took part in and the importance of women-only spaces.
Mica was interviewed by Sara Sherwood in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of the Muswell Hill Women.
The 'Muswell Hill Women' were active members of a local CND group who went to Greenham to do night-watches, make food, raise money and bring equipment, especially waterproofs, to the women who lived at Greenham. They designed, made and sold their own badges and carried Greenham home to their local communities. They talk about their admiration for the women who gave up their lives to live at the camp, the strength of women-only protest and the importance of Greenham as a location to focus anti-nuclear action. They are clear that Greenham has much to teach young people today about protesting against the power of the State in a way that is non-violent.
The Muswell Hill Women were interviewed by Rebecca Mordan in 2019.
They were photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Peggy.
Peggy is a folk singer, songwriter and activist who wrote 'Carry Greenham Home'. Along with other musicians, she sang to the march that was coming through from Wales to Greenham in September 1981. She later joined them at Greenham Common and recalls journalists, donations and getting pissed-off with lounging men! Peggy speaks of how women don't have a written history and how we have to celebrate the power of a lot of women together. She remembers women improvising singing collectively to dumfound police, showing skill in keeping the peace where men could not and Rebecca Johnson signing her nightmare of nuclear war.
Peggy was interviewed by Rebecca Mordan in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Penny was drawn to Greenham by the thought of women being there on their own, shouldering the responsibility of taking on the world. 'It was a call to all of us, which is why I became active.' She recalls the strong women of Bristol taking part in Non-Violent Direct Action and supporting women living at the camp. She remembers Joan Baez visiting, a truck ploughing through the benders, the Greenham Common Newsletter and how, ultimately, 'The women always won.'
Penny was interviewed by Florence Weston in 2019.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Tanya.
Tanya is based in Nottingham and has been a theatre maker since her early twenties. At that age she also arrived at Greenham, already a politically minded person. She came to mostly spend her time at Green Gate in the forest, and at the 'London House' in Petherton Road, a sort of halfway house run by Greenham Women, with no heating or electricity. She spent time at Greenham as a pregnant woman and with an infant, and she speaks about what this meant to her. Tanya also speaks with great passion and detail about the creativity and spiritual experience of the actions, including the raising of the dragon, and keening. She focusses on her particular story, while reflecting on the wider consciousness of the group of women, and the shedding and sharing of values.
Tanya was interviewed by Alice Robinson in 2019.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Voz.
Being an activist means becoming troublesome, defying authority and facing both the fears and consequences of taking action. Listen to Voz Faragher relate her experiences of staring the police in the face; hear her describe how it felt to be manhandled, to face the courts and spend the night in jail. But more than that, listen to her tell just how the support and energy of women united strengthened her courage and inspired her to become a lifelong advocate for the vulnerable and oppressed.
Voz was interviewed by Elaine Ruth White in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

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.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Angela worked as a coach driver in the 1980s and, though she never lived or stayed overnight at the Greenham Common peace camp, she often drove a coach to demonstrations and actions. Together with another driver, she drove a coach of 45 Greenham Women to Russia on a three-week fact-finding mission. Onboard a coach with the route number 007, their journey was challenging and eventful, involving huge distances, KGB tails and pink Champagne consumption. Angela remembers her passengers as being a hugely diverse, energetic, creative, patient and joyful group of women.
Angela was interviewed by Josephine Liptrott in 2019.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Annei and Margaret both went to Greenham after getting involved in the local CND movement and met at camp. Annei was working at Harrods at the time and was a very unusual Peace Woman until she participated in an NVDA workshop which made her reflect on her job and the double life she was living. She resigned the next day. Both Annei and Margaret were profoundly influenced by the discussions at Greenham and left with a radical feminist perspective on the peace movement that changed the course of their lives.
Annei and Margaret were interviewed by Rebecca Mordan in 2019.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Atalanta was born in Singapore to an army family, growing up in a sexist environment, living in Germany and several places in the UK. She dropped out of school and university and worked at a political bookshop where she got involved in political activism. She went to Greenham with a school friend, initially to Green Gate in December 1984, then to Blue Gate after the winter. She speaks of taking down sections of the fence and mass trespasses, breaking into an American vehicle depo, and being terrified at seeing the imposing convoy in the middle of the night. She remembers aggression from locals in Newbury, especially at Blue Gate by the road, but also of the kindness from the Quaker meeting house, the Empire cafe and local health food shop. She was arrested a few times and spent a short time in Holloway prison, where she remembers several women who were in there for economic reasons and the guilt she felt at having to leave them behind.
Atalanta was interviewed by Nicky Arikoglu in 2019.

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.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Betty was very involved in the peace movement and anti-nuclear occupations before going to Greenham in 1981. She recalls the process of the camp becoming women only and how protestors learnt the art of Non-Violent Direct Action. She speaks of the power of carrying Greenham home as thousands of women refused to stay in the kitchen, instead, going to university and doing things they wouldn't have dreamt of doing before.
Betty was interviewed by Rebecca Mordan in 2019.

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Although most well known for their work during the Miners' Strike and Women Against Pit Closures, Caroline Poland, Anne Scargill and Betty Cook discuss how the actions of the women at Greenham Common influenced their own activism and protest strategy, their memories of visiting the camp and the long-lasted alliances they forged with the Greenham women during the 1980s.
They were interviewed by Sara Sherwood in Barnsley in 2019.

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.

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).