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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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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.

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).

Helen Moore interviewed by Emily Strange

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Helen was an active and passionate member of the gay movement in London from a young age. She was also part of the women's movement.
While at Greenham, she worked part-time setting up a London lesbian and gay centre.
Helen lived at Green Gate, the women-only gate.
During this raw and intimate interview, she speaks about her experience at Holloway prison for non-payment of fines, and sneaking down a wooded part of the camp one evening, walking in the moonlight with women laughing and dancing.
Helen was interviewed by Emily Strange in Bristol in 2019.

Helen Steel an Becky Durand interviewed by Emma Gliddon

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of a newspaper article.
Helen is well-known for her part in the McLibel case when London Greenpeace met McDonaldas in court. In her interview, she describes the night she broke into Holloway prison to support the Greenham women. At the time of the interview, Helen was very involved in the Spycops campaign.
Helen was interviewed by Emma Gliddon in 2019.
Becky Durand is a feminist and trade unionist living in London. She was inspired by Greenham while growing up in the USA. Here, she is singing Greenham songs with her daughter, Lilly, and Helen Steel.

Helena Nightingale interviewed by Jessica Layton

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Helena remembers visiting Greenham several times and remembers being part of 'Embrace the base'. The longest time she stayed at Greenham was 10 days and she can clearly remember the smell of wood smoke and the horrible food! Helena set up her own peace camps in Cornwall and travelled to Greenham regularly and stayed at Green Gate with her group.
Helena was interviewed by Jessica Layton in 2019.

Hilary Gould interviewed by Florence Weston

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.

Hilary Whyard interviewed by June Hughes

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Hilary.
Hilary Whyard visited Greenham regularly in the early days with her 5 month old son. Changing circumstances forced her to visit less after that time, but she was still active and helped with the delivery of food to the base, also supporting the Embrace the Base ceremony every year. In her interview, she discusses the creche run by men at the start of the camp. She continues to be active concerning peace and environment issues.
Hilary was interviewed by June Hughes near Cambridge in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Hoonie Feltham interviewed by Kitty Gurnos-Davies

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Hoonie.
Hoonie was a social worker who specialised in protecting the children's welfare needs in the legal system and has a Master of Laws degree. She is a Quaker and talks about the relationship between the Quaker community and the peace movement which is still active today. She emphasises the fear that surrounded the threat of nuclear war, particularly for mothers. Hoonie visited Greenham Common for Embrace the Base and took food and other supplies to the residential women. She remembers that many vulnerable and homeless women moved to the camp and the associated tensions this caused. Hoonie is passionate about the political context of the peace movement, the gender politics of protest, and her critique of politicians such as Margaret Thatcher and Tony Benn.
Hoonie was interviewed by Kitty Gurnos-Davies in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Illona Linthwaite interviewed by Alice Robinson

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Illona.
Illona is an actor based in London. From an early age she had strong feelings about the unfairness of class and gender roles in society, and has been involved in the peace movement since before Greenham. Illona has kept diaries throughout her life. Looking at her photos of the 'Reflect the base' action in December 1983, Illona recalls memories of this extraordinary day when she first saw Greenham. She then came back and forth from Greenham, spending most of her time at Yellow Gate. In her interview, Illona also shares a couple of the songs she remembers most vividly and at 22.40 a poem by Wendy Poussard called 'Greenham Women'.
Illona was interviewed by Alice Robinson in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Jacqui Best interviewed by Vanessa Pini

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Jacqui's first visit to Greenham was on a bus arranged by a Yeovil group in 1982/83. Later, she made regular weekend visits for years in her work Women's Aid car, taking boxes of food and supplies. She remembers a big police presence, saying they behaved as if it was the women who had the bombs. Jacqui lived in a rural Somerset village where everyone questioned what she was doing - she was reported to social services for being a lesbian, taking her son out of school to home educate him and having women camp in her garden. She recalls the 1986 Chernobyl disaster compounding the fear and reality of the danger and her wanting to support the women standing up against the government in the cold and wet between the military and police officers. 'Those 'silly women' didn't go home... they stayed and prevailed.'
Jacqui was interviewed by Vanessa Pini in March 2021.

Jade Britton interviewed by Nicky Arikoglu

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Jade.
Involved in several Women's Groups, including Women for Life on Earth, Jade first visited Greenham in the early 1980s. She later decided to live at Violet Gate permanently for two years. She believes any woman who went to the camp either as a day visitor or permanent resident is a 'Greenham Woman'.
Jade was interviewed by Nicky Arikoglu in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Jan interviewed by Sara Sherwood

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
A lifelong and inspiring activist, Jan first traveled to Greenham Common for Embrace the Base and lived at the camp for six months at Blue Gate. In this interview, Jan shares some memories of the camp, her emotional connection with the musical tradition of Greenham and discusses her wedding which took place at Blue Gate some years later.
Jan was interviewed by Sara Sherwood in 2019.

Jane Griffiths interviewed by Isabelle Tracy

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Jane went to Main Gate while she was at school in York and, when she left, moved to camp permanently for about a year. She was arrested many times and went to Holloway and Styal prison as well as to a young offenders' institution because she was so young. Her memories are vivid and passionate as she talks about actions large and small, the very different responses of soldiers and her enjoyment of meeting and conversing with such a huge diversity of women.
Jane was interviewed by Isabelle Tracy in 2019.

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