What a day that was to be a part of – exciting, satisfying and oh, so moving! We were there to stretch our pink scarf between AWE Aldermaston and AWE Burghfield, which provide the warheads for the submarine-launched missile system and to protest at the renewal of Trident at a cost of 120 billion pounds when the country desperately needs that money for health, welfare and education.
Three trains, a short bus ride and nearly 6 hours later and I was there, surrounded by lovely people and pinkness. The 32 photos will give you a feel of the day but what cannot be captured are the sounds and the feelings. Do click to read the captions that tell you the whole story of the day.
I walked from Aldermaston to the first milepost and back, hoping to spot our 23 piece length but I didn’t see it. All along the way, people were in small groups or singly preparing to hold up the scarf at 1pm and everyone had cheery words to exchange. At 1pm I stopped walking and took my place in the holding up of the scarf. This was accompanied by a wave of sound – of bells and whistles, of whoops and singing, of drums, saxophone and an accordion that swept along the line and which we could hear continuing in the distance as it passed. Then up the line came the message that it was time for the two minutes of silence to remember the 69th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and the silence travelled powerfully along the seven miles. It was an incredibly moving experience.
Next came the bells and the signal to start rolling up the scarf ready for re-purposing as blankets and each of the seven miles collected at their own milestone with their enormous pinwheels of knitting for speeches, singing and cake!
Text messages allowed me to meet up with my choir friend and Quaker, Kate, who inspired me in the first place to get our group together to knit so it was most appropriate that we were together for the singing and the speeches. Jaine, the force behind this event is an inspiration!
My camera makes a compilation video as I take photos. It is not a quality video but it does give an impression of the day with some sound. If you’d like to see it, please comment and I’ll answer with the link. Here is a link to the BBC’s coverage. Peace to you all.
Choc Chip Uru
August 12, 2014 at 3:28 am
What an incredible project 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Hudson Howl
August 12, 2014 at 1:37 am
It is not a stretch to suggest this is an art installation, packing more punch and profound genuineness then say Christo’s Running Fence and I hold it in importance to that of the Map of Loss quilt . Your photo essay exudes the energy of the day -smiling proud faces abound. The number of people, the time and energy put into it is staggering -actions really do speak louder than words – I M A G I N E. One hundred percent good shtufffs!!!
mybeautfulthings
August 13, 2014 at 10:31 am
Thank you so much, Hudson. It was indeed a powerful and profound day. It felt brilliant to be among so many like-minded and purposeful people – and so much knitting! So much love and determination to stop Trident being renewed and to spend the money where it is truly needed – on the people!
Hope you had a good break 🙂
Our Growing Paynes
August 11, 2014 at 1:05 pm
This is so cool! What an amazing day.
valeriedavies
August 11, 2014 at 4:36 am
wonderful… it looked like a day of love and laughter, goodness and goodwill
mybeautfulthings
August 11, 2014 at 11:47 am
Valerie, it was wonderful to be surrounded by like-minded people all so dedicated and so full of purpose. It was a day full of love for humanity. Thank you for calling in, so glad you enjoyed it vicariously with me x x
Jo
August 10, 2014 at 9:04 pm
Just brilliant. Love this post thank you for sharing this.
mybeautfulthings
August 10, 2014 at 9:30 pm
Thank you for calling in and taking the time to comment. 🙂
Nicky
August 10, 2014 at 6:12 pm
I’m in awe! What an incredible day, what an incredible feat, fuelled by a passion to make things different. I’d love to see the video Sally. Really looking forward to catching up. So so pleased you made it there. Lots of love xxx
mybeautfulthings
August 10, 2014 at 7:17 pm
Nicky, it was just wonderful to be a part of such a profound and special event. Thank you to you and all the gang for knitting our section. A pal of Kate’s saw our 23 pieces and took a photo for us so I’ll post it when I get a copy. Here’s the link to the video http://youtu.be/PKXG6wzYWSE.
Mr S said he was really proud of me when he saw me off at the station and that was lovely!
Look forward to seeing you soon xxx
babyjill7...Marilyn Griffin
August 10, 2014 at 5:21 pm
you ALL should be so proud…what a lovely way to show your concern…great photos!
mybeautfulthings
August 10, 2014 at 5:23 pm
Thank you Marilyn. Spending today resting! 🙂
makagutu
August 10, 2014 at 4:46 pm
Congratulations Sally.
These photos are so full of life and what a mission this is!
mybeautfulthings
August 10, 2014 at 5:08 pm
A mission indeed. Thank you for your interest.
john zande
August 10, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Congratulations, Sally!
mybeautfulthings
August 13, 2014 at 10:33 am
Thank you, John. It was a very moving day, being surrounded by people who care as much as I do about such things 🙂
itwasjudith
August 10, 2014 at 1:59 pm
an extraordinary day and experience, thanks for sharing it with us and the photos <3
mybeautfulthings
August 13, 2014 at 10:34 am
Very glad to share it with you. It was a remarkable day full of a profound love of and for humanity. Thank you for calling in and for taking the time to comment. 🙂
itwasjudith
August 13, 2014 at 3:49 pm
You’re welcome, I very much enjoyed following the story of the knitted creations and the peaceful meeting for peace. It sounded like a very special happening!