The really great news is that the last of the B52 bombers left on Thursday at 5.20pm. Some of us were skipping with delight as they began warming up to leave, others said they were as deeply saddened as when they first arrived, knowing what has been done in Iraq by weapons launched from our own glorious Cotswold countryside.
People at the Welford Peacewatch camp at Westbrook village in Berkshire, knowing that they may be witnessing the return of the bombs from Fairford to Welford, and thence hopefully 'home' to the USA, decided to break camp on Friday night.
There have been no 'evictions' at G10 or at Welford.
There are a few people still camping at G10 as I write, although this situation may change at any time. Efforts have been made to look for a new site or sites, as the health implications and vulnerability of remaining at the centre of the runway become more apparent.
So what next?
The Peacewatch continues. We have established a great number of contacts with local people in Fairford and surrounding villages, and with peace groups further afield. We have amassed a bank of intelligence about activity at the airbase while it was active and have a continual log of aircraft movement during the 52 days of the bombing campaign.
Plans are afoot for the next stages, but in the meantime, there are a number of things people can do:
- keep sending letters or cards to people at G10:
G10 Peacewatch
Near Dunfield
USAF Fairford
Gloucestershire
GL7 4HE
- we will have an additional address for mail soon, please let me know if you'd like to be put on our paper mailing list.
- to be kept up to date either via email with what we're planning, join:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fairfordpeacewatchsupporters - a new website containing bomber spotting and peacewatch logs will be up and running in the next few days. Watch this space, or join the list above for details.
- ask one of us to come and talk at your peace group or local event.. we have lots and lots to tell, and we need your support for the next stages.
- tell your MP what you think about this appalling use of UK airspace and countryside to promote this illegal pre-emptive strike
http://www.faxyourmp.com - make a donation to Peacewatch so that we can get material like leaflets and spotter info together and help with minor costs like webhosting and phones. Cheques can be made payable to: peacewatch, please phone or mail me for our temporary address.
- if you live locally, please get more involved. We need places to store things and volunteer helpers who can offer baths or bedrooms or back gardens for overnight stays.
Most importantly, we haven't gone away, so we need you more than ever !!!
Om Shanti, Salom, Pace, Salaam
xxx
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