February camp

Large flakes of wet snow were falling in Bristol as I prepared for camp weekend and I ended up with so many layers of clothing that I could hardly move. In the end it really wasn't that cold! Not that it was exactly skipping spring lambs and primroses, but with a new tarpaulin and the fire we were reasonably comfortable. The building site for the new laser gets bigger every month, the building rising up to meet the cranes above, and work even going on on Sunday. A sunday walk around the base showed up a number of other new developments and during the monday blockade large numbers of lorries and some more cranes arrived. Sitting round the fire we discussed the No Trident Replacement work and thought that lobbying MPs, especially those on the list of 'waverers', was (for once) worthwhile. And that we should aim for getting the decision to replace Trident deferred. Most fun came out of our plans for a June cocktail party at Aldermaston: all friends and the press invited. Dressing up, feather boas, nuclear cocktails, palm court music ....watch the website for more details. Monday was a successful blockade day, with Block the Builders. Roads blockaded to stop entry at both Tadley and Home Office Gates for over an hour and chaos for a long long time after that. Plus the gigantic Somerset Trident banner, which took six of us to hold upright. I'm feeling better for being actively engaged, especially now I've had that blissful bath. If you're reading this, and not yet been to camp, or not been for a while, do come and see us next month: we really need and enjoy more women round the fire.

charlotte