Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors
26 Jan 2003 : Fairford - NO BASIS FOR WAR, NO BASES FOR WAR
Join the Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors and the Greenham Common Initiators for a day as we visit RAF/USAF Fairford to inspect for weapons of mass destruction. We invite everyone to participate in this mass inspection of the BIGGEST BOMBER BASE IN EUROPE.
Click here for contact details
of coaches coming from around the country on 26th Jan
And here for contacts numbers for
enquiries and press.
Latest
news: numbers look to be building well. Rinky Dink cycle powered sound
system and Samba band from Stroud will add to the carnival atmosphere.
(A group of pilots, some ex RAF, who were going to fly over the base as
part of the protest have had to cancel for safety reasons after too many
wanted to take part).
This event marks the last day of UN inspections in Iraq before the scheduled
report to the UN Security Council. We'll be FLAGGING UP FAIRFORD as a
facility for delivery of WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION by inviting everyone
to bring along flags, banners, messages, personal items and other 'art'ifacts
to decorate the perimeter fence. WE'LL TURN FAIRFORD FENCES INTO A
GIANT BILLBOARD FOR PEACE - for more details of fences click the map
above (100k image).
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| message from Ann Pettitt who initiated the Greenham Common protests 22 years ago |
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contacts for information, and press enquiries. 14th Jan - press release |
There follows a summary of key information - for more details see the NO BASIS FOR WAR, NO BASES FOR WAR information page.
DATE & TIME: Assemble Mill Lane, Fairford Village 12 noon on Sunday 26th January 2003. Protest will last approximately 3 to 4 hours and you will be able to return to Fairford village before dark.
INTRODUCTION: We will assemble in Fairford village at 12 noon on 26th Jan 2003. There will be a procession to the main gate where we will ask - in our usual 'pantomime' fashion - to be admitted to inspect the base. If you're dressed up and want to join in check the script here... you'll be doing all the 'chorus' bits... but we'll have prompt cards to help things along.
This will be over quite quickly and we will be providing maps and directions for 'good' bits of fence to decorate. You'll have time to put up your artwork and explore the edge of the base to see other decorations and 'inspect' whatever is going on inside.
PLEASE BRING: messages, banners, personal items and other 'art'ifacts to decorate the fences surrounding the base. Be creative! HELP US TURN THE FAIRFORD FENCES INTO A GIANT BILLBOARD FOR PEACE.
IF
YOU LIKE DRESSING UP: Come dressed as weapons inspectors in white
decontamination suits. White overalls are available from many DIY stores
including Screwfix Direct www.screwfix.co.uk phone 0500 414141 part no
17133 - XL White Polypropylene Coveral. £1.15 or £9.99 for
10 - next day delivery.
...and goggles - part number 18654 - EN 166.1.B. Wide vision, direct
vent. £1.09 each or, £5.25 for 5.
and white masks - part number 13500 - Disposable, low cost cup mask. £8.49
for 50.
We also like to wear white plastic bags on our feet - held up by elastic bands and washing up gloves in bright colours.
Accessorise with decorated household appliances (a little tin foil and
gaffer tape can transform the most mundane appliance) to use as hypocrisy
detectors, smart bomb intelligence testers, collateral damage anticipation
detectors etc...
DIRECTIONS: Fairford is 6 miles east of Cirencester, 10 miles
north of Swindon and 20 miles west of Oxford. Fairford is on the A417
going east to west. Or along the A361 going north to south, turning onto
the A417 at Lechlade village. USAF Fairford is 15 minutes walk from Fairford
Village, along Horcott Rd.
FOR MAPS: CLICK BELOW
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=410000&Y=200000&scale=200000
FOR A MAP OF FAIRFORD VILLAGE:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=415000&Y=201000&scale=10000
PARKING: Is easiest in Mill Lane / Park Street free car park at the top of Fairford village High Street just north of the church. There is no viable public transport to Fairford. Nearest stations are Kemble and Swindon both oevr 10 miles away. There are very few rural buses, especially on Sundays.
COACHES: park as above if very large turn-out will need to drop off / pickup at Fairford and park at Fairford Leisure Centre where the police have arranged parking space. Here's a list of organised transport contacts.
If you are organising a coach please let us know (travel@gwi.org.uk) so we can publicise this for others who are travelling from your area of the country.