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The Women's Library
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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.

Carolyn E Francis interviewed by Rebecca Mordan

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Carolyn.
Carolyn was at Green Gate from Summer 1984. After leaving college she moved into Greenham's London base and from there went to Greenham where she lived in a hollowed out holly tree. Her sister, Sally and her Mum also protested at the base. Although Carolyn never went to prison, she supported those charged at their court appearances and talks about the ways in which Greenham women subverted the court system. Carolyn became a Buddhist at Greenham and the personal impact of her time there changed the course of her life.
Carolyn was interviewed by Rebecca Mordan in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

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).

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.

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).

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.

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).

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).

Jane Hickman interviewed by Vanessa Pini

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Jane.
Jane is a lawyer who represented many Greenham Women and was already an active feminist herself. She first got involved in defending the women in 1982 when they broke into the base and took over a sentry box. She recalls the core of their defense being, 'It's not us on trial, it's them,' and the magistrates being stunned when they refused to be bound over to keep the peace. She remembers journalists bringing champagne to greet Greenham Women coming out of prison, daffodils in the court room, cases brought against travelers and using powerful evidence from a nun on Hanford and Dr Alice Stewart on Hiroshima to illustrate the seriousness of their plight. Jane also tells the tale of Greenham Women taking the US Government to court to try and prevent them siting the missiles at Greenham and coming up against the attorney Rudy Giuliani! You can read a first hand account of the free support Jane gave Greenham Women in chapter 18 of the book 'Other Girls Like Me' by Stephanie Davies.
Jane was interviewed by Vanessa Pini in April 2021.
She was photographed by Tony Prime for the Observer in March 1983.

Janice Candler interviewed by Josephine Liptrott

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Janice was just seventeen years old when she first decided to live at the Greenham Common peace camp, abandoning her A level college courses to do so. She lived at the camp between 1986 and 1987, first at Violet Gate and then moving to Orange Gate. She was arrested and charged four times for her role in the non-violent direct actions and spent time in Holloway. She remembers frequent evictions, vigilantes, and living at the camp through freezing weather conditions, but still describes being extremely happy there.
Janice was interviewed by Josephine Liptrott in Essex in 2019.

Jill Raymond (Ray) interviewed by Sarah Learmonth

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Jill.
'Ray', as she was known, spent most of her time at Greenham living at Blue Gate. Here, she talks about a range of topics including the importance of reclaiming the Common land, links with peace camps nationally and internationally, the distribution of 'camp dole' and the symbolism and strength of web weaving as a form of creative resistance.
Ray was interviewed by Sarah Learmonth in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Joanna Mattingly interviewed by Jessica Layton

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Joanna didn't go to Greenham herself, but her Mother stayed for a long weekend. Joanna has photographs of her Mum and her friends at Greenham. She remembers Greenham being portrayed very negatively in the papers as lots of 'hairy, angry lesbians'.
Joanna was interviewed by Jessica Layton in 2019.

Interview with Vivienne Hayes MBE

This file includes the recorded audio of the interview with Vivienne Hayes MBE, along with a transcript, a summary of the recording, and a photo of the interviewee. At the time of the interview, Vivienne was the Chief Executive Officer of Women's Resource Centre, a national support organisation for the women's sector in the UK. Date of interview: 20/12/2019. Length of recording: 00:51:04.

Interview with Joyce Kallevik

This file includes the recorded audio of the interview with Joyce Kallevik, along with a transcript, a summary of the recording, and a photo of the interviewee. At the time of the interview, Joyce was the National Director of WISH, a user-led national charity for women's mental health working in prisons, hospitals and the community. Date of interview: 16/12/2019. Length of recording: 00:59:57.

Interview with Pragna Patel

This file includes the recorded audio of the interview with Pragna Patel, along with a transcript, a summary of the recording, and a photo of the interviewee. At the time of the interview, Pragna was a founding member and Director of Southall Black Sisters, set up to meet the needs of Asian and African-Caribbean women. Date of interview: 17/12/2019. Length of recording: 00:59:08.

Alison Napier interviewed by Rebecca Mordan

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Alison.
Alison was a sociology student in Aberdeen when she was asked by some friends if she would drive a minibus for them down to Greenham. She visited many times afterwards and was arrested twice. The first time she was held illegally in the cells under Newbury police station for 5 days and the second time, she was convicted of obstruction. She appealed on the basis that the police, military and lorries containing nuclear weapons obstructed the road far more than she had by sitting down. She won. She remembers vividly the violence of the police, the importance of NVDA and most importantly, the fun.
Alison was interviewed in 2019 by Rebecca Mordan.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

Barbara Hughes interviewed by Alice Robinson

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Barbara Hughes spent most of her time at Orange Gate, which she describes as the international gate where you could meet 'women from all over the place' which she liked. It wasn't possible for her to live there as she had three young children, so she went down as often as possible for actions. She was first introduced to Greenham at a CND rally, when a group of women got up on the platform to speak about their plans for that original march from Cardiff to Greenham in 1981. Barbara speaks about her own creative actions back in Richmond with the 'Duck and Cover' company, the importance of carrying Greenham home, and her hopes for the future of feminism.
Barbara was interviewed by Alice Robinson in January 2021.

Becky Barnes and Helen Garland interviewed by Tricia Grace-Norton

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording.
Becky and her friend Helen were reunited through the Greenham Women Everywhere Project. They met at Green Gate in 1983. They talked about it being bleak, grim and hardcore but felt that the trees in the wood softened the harshness of the environment. They would often find rabbit intestines in their beds. Becky lived at Green Gate for 8 months and her key responsibility was night watch and keeping the fires burning. The pair speak of the constant and brutal evictions, how they were deprived of sleep and stripped of their warm sweaters, but they were inspired by the solidarity of women.
They were interviewed by Tricia Grace-Norton in 2019.

Becky Griffiths interviewed by Josephine Liptrott

This folder includes the recorded audio of the interview along with a transcript of the recording and a photograph of Becky.
Having been involved in her local CND group, Becky first went to Greenham Common for the Embrace the Base action when she was seventeen years old. She describes arriving by coach at the main gate and being overwhelmed by the sight of hundreds of women gathered together, knowing it was where she had to be. She moved to Greenham soon after and lived there full-time for over two years at Yellow Gate. She also lived briefly at the The Women's Encampment for a Future of Peace and Justice in Senaca, New York, having visited as part of a Greenham women's solidarity trip. She took part in various actions, breaking into the base to dance on missile silos or have a teddy bears' tea party on the day of her 18th birthday. Becky was arrested several times for her part in such actions and served time in prison. She describes feeling very lucky to have been at Greenham, surrounded by strong, political women.
Becky was interviewed by Jo Liptrott in London in 2019.
She was photographed by Christine Bradshaw (copyright Christine Bradshaw).

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