Fairford 2003 - news archive

"Some of us had been led to believe that the hearing in Truro would establish a date and a time for a substantive preliminary hearing on legal issues - a prelude to the start of Paul's and my trial, and followed by those of Phil and Toby, and of Josh. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Dream on. Now we haven't even got a judge of our own any more. All that the Directions (Directions - what directions?) hearing in Truro established, is that in mid-January the judges in Bristol will hold a meeting. (Not specifically about us manky felons, needless to say - more like a general start-of-term staff meeting, sort of thing.) They will then pick a lucky judge, who gets to try the Fairford cases. And SOME time after that - but don't hold your breath - there is still likely to be the anticipated Preparatory Hearing on legal issues, lasting about a week. (But possibly also a pre- Preparatory hearing before that.)"

"Kate Holcombe, one of the defendents who was given a 2 year discharge said "There was a video shown of the protest in which it was blatantly obvious to all in court except the jury and the prosection that THERE WAS NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER to the bottom of the gate. The video was watched over and over again by the court with all present searching for the damage that the guy from the base pretended had been done to the bottom of it. No damage was seen or found. " They were convicted on the word of a worker claiming he had seen a ' kink' in the bottom of the gate. A third defendant, Owen English, walked free on Thursday after the prosecution failed to produce sufficient evidence."

"The charge of criminal damage to Fairford main gate was dropped against one of the defendants today. One free, two to go!"

"Kate Holcombe of West Road is accused of pulling down and damaging the main gate at the Fairford Air Force Base during an Iraq War protest on February 23 this year. The 43-year-old mother and two other defendants, are accused of causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to the main gate of the air base in the course of a large demonstration against the Iraq war. "

"Three people face charges of criminal damage in Gloucester Crown Court after the main gate of USAF Fairford was pulled open with ropes by a crowd of anti-war protesters last February. They are charged with £8000 of damage each! This is serious, they need lots of support."

"This Wednesday, three anti-war activists are on trial for their part in a protest at Fairford in Febuary. They are charged with causing 8,300 pounds worth of damage to the main gate. The court has set aside 2-3 days for the trial. Please come along and support if you can: Gloucester Crown Court, 10am, Wednesday 12 November "

"Various Fairford defendants appeared in Gloucester Crown Court yesterday, for 'plea and directions' hearings. The charges are mainly of conspiracy and/or criminal damage, and many of the defendants spent time in prison on remand. All of these cases were transferred to Bristol Crown Court; the judge said that Gloucester wouldn't be able to cope with such long trials, since it's just a small crown court with only a few judges..."

"On 19th Sept Judge Jamie Tabor, sitting in Gloucester Crown Court, will decide on procedures by which the 'Fairford' jury trials will be heard. All defendants in these 4 cases - Paul Milling, Margaret Jones, Phil Pritchard, Toby Olditch, Josh Richards, Kate Holcombe, Geoffrey Cornock - will invoke 'lawful excuse' for disabling, or attempting to disable, planes & support equipment at Fairford Air Force base (Cotswolds, Gloucestershire) in the weeks prior to the invasion of Iraq. All of them acted on the grounds that the war on Iraq was illegal making their actions, or attempted actions, legal. In the case of Kate Holcolme, she denies the charge of criminal damage to a perimeter gate."

"An anti-war protestor appearing in court for legal debate had all his legal arguments accepted. The charges concerned an allegation that he was stirring up racial hatred by bearing an upside-down US flag with the words "F??k Bush" on it."

"Gloucester Crown Court, 10.00am Friday September 19th 2003. The Fairford Defendants will be heading along to Gloucester Court to discover what the next instalment of their fate is going to be. Toby Olditch and Phil Pritchard are charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage, and with 'going equipped', in an attempt to disarm a B-52 bomber."

"Two of the activists carrying disarmament tools arrested by armed Ghurkas inside USAF Fairford during the war, will appear in Cheltenham Court this week."

"Peace campaigners have won the right to challenge police decisions to detain and prevent them from demonstrating against the war on Iraq at Fairford air base in March this year. Granting permission for their judicial review case to proceed Mr Justice Richards commented that the issues it raised were "substantial" and "of importance" to merit a full High Court hearing."

"Phil Pritchard and Toby Olditch were granted bail on June the 20th . NONE of the Gloucester Crown Court defendants - in order of trial : Paul Milling, Margaret Jones / Phil Pritchard, Toby Olditch / Josh Richards / Kate Holcombe, Geoffrey Cornock / ARE ANY LONGER IN CUSTODY."

Leafletting right under the noses of the war machine! Photos here: "A fun family day out admiring mass murder machines at the Fairford Air Tattoo was spoilt by the actions of protestors craftily disguised as stewards. They gave out leaflets informing the public how the aircraft on display were used during the recent Gulf War to drop cluster bombs and fire radioactive DU missiles. Party poopers!"

An imaginative bit of non-violent direct action involving road signs seems to have disrupted RIAT. Photos here. "The war-propaganda fest which is Fairford Air Tattoo 2003 was damaged by the actions of unknown saboteurs. We understand that attendance at this celebration of blood-soaked machines was considerably down on previous years. We can only hope that the vandalism seen here did not put people off or cause them to lose their way to this wonderful family day out admiring Weapons of Mass Destruction."

"Camping it up, damp and slightly chary, we pitched not more than 10 yards from the entrance to the Rogue International Arms Traders' official camp site. And at Gate 10! Four of us, all arriving together as if we'd planned it. The pansies Briar had planted in the last weeks of the witness to all that terrible bomb loading are thriving but it isn't what we noticed. Less than three months since the last B52 of the occupation had left USAF Fairford, the arms dealers had once again taken over our glorious Gloucestershire."

"On Saturday a small group of Oxford activist went to the tattoo and forgoing the pleasure of the planes handed out 1,500 leaflets to visitors. By coincidence the leaflets looked very much like the official programme and the group wore yellow vests for cycle safety. Visitors happily took this free information and stuffed them into their anoraks with there note books. Others could be heard saying such things as, ‘Look they have F117s’. However, those who read further, and many more later as they shuffled off home, became a little puzzled as seemingly unrelated words like ‘destruction’, ‘death’ and ‘victims’ jumped from the sheet."

Some photos of the demonstration at the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford

An update on the progress of peace activists arressted in actions at Fairford, and some more information about Liberty and their investigation into the policing of Fairford

"A RING of steel has been put up around a Swindon hotel in anticipation of the arrival of VIPs attending the Royal International Air Tattoo. Two layers of fencing including steel barriers and mesh framework surr-ound the perimeter of the De Vere Hotel in West Swindon as a precaution against a possible terrorist attack ahead of this weekend's airshow at RAF Fairford. Police have refused to reveal the identity of the small party of special guests, other than to state that they are high-ranking foreign military officers."

Press release: An investigation by human rights group Liberty into the policing of peace demonstrations at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, during the recent invasion of Iraq has revealed fundamental breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Swindon hotel plays host to high-ranking foreign military types for the Royal International Air Tattoo (Rouge International Arms Traders). "The De Vere is a resonably posh hotel which forms part of the Shaw Ridge Leisure Park in Swindon. A security cordon has suddenly appeared around it. Why?" Plus a link to related news.

"Graham Little, logistic flight commander, said there is no doubt the base felt a part of the war effort. The bombs dropped by the B-52s flying from the base made sure of that. "The mission of the Air Force can be summed in a few words - warheads on foreheads," he said. "We were part of the 'shock and awe.'" "

"Fairford Peacewatchers and friends
Cordially invite you to
A PARTY FOR INDEPENDENCE FROM AMERICA
AND 'GATECRASHER'S STROLL' "

"ANTI-WAR activists are planning peaceful protests during this year's Royal International Air Tattoo. The protests, which are being organised by a group called Fairford Peace Watch are likely to take the form of a peace camp outside RAF Fairford, similar to those seen outside the base during the war on Iraq."

"Toby and Phil, the 'B-52 Two', were granted bail Friday the 20th and finally have their freedom! Charged with conspiracy to cause criminal damage when they tried to disarm a B52 warplane at RAF Fairford in March 2003, they pleaded not guilty as they acted lawfully to uphold international law. The Gloucester Crown Court will make a judgement on the legality of the war on 19 September."

"PEACE campaigners have revealed plans to stage a rally outside RAF Fairford on American Independence Day. The event, spearheaded by the Accountability of American Bases organisation, is a direct protest at US military presence in the UK. Joint organiser Kate Holcombe, who lives in Evesham, said: "The US uses our country as an unsinkable aircraft carrier. "We want to know why the US are literally being handed bases. "On the same day Americans all over the world are celebrating their independence from us, we want to show them how unwelcome their bombers and bomb convoys are in Fairford."

"The county force says it incurred costs of £1.069 million during the Iraq War, including the drafting in of officers from around the country. The operation was the biggest in the Gloucestershire Constabulary's history and the cost has been partly offset by a Home Office grant of £694,000. "

A look a the Fairford Peace Camp of 2003 and a parallel of history in Wounded Knee, 1973. An interesting article which draws a comparison between recent activities down the road at Fairford and the Siege of Wounded Knee, where the FBI attempted to isolate and destroy the American Indian Movement.

"Eight people cycled 70 miles at the weekend, to pledge support for two imprisoned Oxford peace campaigners dubbed The B-52 Two. The 'Pedalling for Peace' ride, from Oxford to Gloucester, ended with a rally outside Gloucester Prison, where the two men are in custody. Carpenter Phillip Pritchard, 32, of Campbell Road, and marketing executive Toby Olditch, 34, of Bullingdon Road, are charged with conspiracy to cause criminal damage, aggravated trespass and going equipped to cause criminal damage. They were arrested at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, on March 18, as they approached a B-52 bomber thought to be heading to Iraq. "

"PRESIDENT Bush may have declared the war in Iraq over but protests continue at the US airbase in Fairford. Long-standing opponents of the base, Faringdon Peace Group, staged a sponsored walk to Fairford carrying white cardboard doves. On arrival they hung the doves on the fence around the base and handed in a letter of protest addressed to the base commander."

"Gloucestershire Police face a huge bill for putting police officers in a posh hotel during the Iraq war. The force needed help from more than 1,000 officers and 43 different forces to defend the RAF base at Fairford and police the peace protests there. They stayed in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Moat House Hotel in Brockworth, which costs £130 per night for business people. The dinner, bed and breakfast rate is £73 per night. More than 1,000 police were drafted into Fairford on one day alone on March 22 when 4,000 protesters marched on the base. The operation to contain protesters was the biggest in Gloucestershire police's history."

"Campaigners say the police force misused new powers afforded them under the Terrorism Act 2000 in the way they dealt with their presence at the Gloucestershire air base during the war in Iraq. Protesters claim officers were "over zealous" in how they carried out stop and search and they would like to see a court clarify just what these new powers meant for police and protester alike.

"First of all, we want to know whether it was correct and legitimate that stop and search powers had been authorised and why they were used to deter what was a reasonable and legitimate protest." "

"One of the nine, Valerie Swain, 37, of Landsdowne Road, Cardiff, denies causing £1,500 damage to the perimeter fence by cutting a hole in it. Cailfornian Erin Condit-Bergren, 21, of Henry Road, Oxford, Owen English, 19 of Bullingham Road, Oxford, Lina Janson, of Glanville Road, Brixton, South London, Thomas Owen-Smith, 20, of James Street, Cowley, Oxfordshire and Ellie Schling, 21, of Traverse Road, Camden, Northwest London, are all accused of climbing through holes in the fence. All nine - five men and four women - maintained their pleas of not guilty to aggravated trespass on March 9. "

"By Tech. Sgt. Jason Tudor, 457th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

Royal Air Force Fairford, England (USAFENS) – From February to April, Fairford became an anonymous “forward-deployed location” for B-52s that flew 120 missions over Iraq. By most, it is called a “turnkey” operation. The DOD turns a figurative “key,” and a 9,997-foot runway, more than $90 million in renovations and a multitude of resources come to life. All of it sat idle since Operation Allied Force four years before, managed by the 424th Air Base Squadron.

As Hogan paid the bills, the base itself was under siege. Protesters lined up early and often. Some dared to climb the fence, barge through the front gates and violate British law to get in. Led most notably by a group called the Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors -- which had neither weapons nor official inspectors of any kind -- they charged into the breach. "

"Anti-war protesters from Oxford will deny trespassing at RAF Fairford at the start of the Gulf War when their case comes to court. Nine peace campaigners who were arrested after the perimeter fence was breached on March 9, in protest at the presence of B52 bombers at the Gloucestershire base, maintain they were not guilty of aggravated trespass. Mrs Ann Frost, defending, told the court that she expected a legal debate to arise over the question of the legality of the US Air Force's activities at the RAF base. "

"MUCH of the cost for extra policing around RAF Fairford could be paid for by the government. Some 18 different forces have been drafted into Gloucestershire over the last month to patrol the base, which has been the scene of several peace protests. The government announced earlier this week that it would make an immediate payment of £250,000 towards the costs. But Home Secretary David Blunkett has also indicated that he would consider an application for full cost recovery."

"DAVID Drew MP has asked for an explanation of policing policy at RAF Fairford following reports of numerous protesters being stopped and searched outside the airbase under the new anti-terrorism laws. The Stroud MP has asked home secretary David Blunkett what provision under the Terrorism Act 2000 is being used to prevent people from protesting at the site. Mr Blunkett replied that: "The Terrorism Act is not being applied in the prevention of protests at RAF Fairford. The stop and search tactics employed by police were lampooned by political comic Mark Thomas at a recent Fairford Rally. "Saddam Hussein might be cunning but you're not going to find him hiding in people's sandwich boxes between the Marmite and the cucumber," he said."

" "Under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, you can't take tarps to Gate 10" We cannot permit the camp to expand. Yes. We know it's raining and Gate 10 has requested tarps. But no." "By the way. You can no longer take them wood or coal unless it's smokeless." It may be April fools Day but it really just happened! "Furthermore you cannot return those two camping stools you said you inadvertently stole from the camp as no additional camping equipment is allowed." That's a first! Police preventing the return of stolen goods and making no arrest - dereliction of duty I call it. "

"Supporters will gather outside Gloucester Crown Court with banners and a huge B-52 placard at 9.50 a.m. on Tuesday 25 March. They are supporting two peace activists, Philip Pritchard and Toby Olditch, who set out to disarm a B-52 bomber at RAF Fairford on 18th March [1]. This is the first Crown Court hearing since being charged with criminal damage offences [2]. The hearing starts at 10.00 a.m. This court hearing is expected to set a date for a trial, possibly in September. "

"The stars were out in force at Fairford's mass anti-war protest at the weekend ­ which saw six arrests for minor offences. Some 3,000 people, several thousand less than expected, took part in the march to the RAF base, where American B-52s have set off on bombing sorties on Iraq. Among the personalities were Radiohead singer Thom Yorke, author and TV regular Will Self, comedian Mark Thomas, author George Monbiot and veteran peace activist Pat Arrowsmith, who all denounced war."

"AROUND 250 peace activists marched through Swindon town centre on Saturday afternoon before trying ­ and failing - to join the peace camp at Fairford. The protesters met at the cenotaph at noon and then marched from the memorial through the town centre past Saturday shoppers. The loud but peaceful protest moved down Regent Street and into the Parade before heading for Princes Street and onto Fleming Way."

"Similar update for Fairford: There were several thousand people there which was good compared to the couple of hundred normally seen. But there were also 3000 riot police in full body armour and some riding horses. They imposed heavy restrictions on movement and we were only allowed to march to the main gate and then return... the usual route around the base was blocked by a line of Horses and then 6 lines of Police.... The only way anything could have happened was if there were thousands of padded up Italian anarchists ready for a fight and as there was only one very isolated womble (who was promptly arrested.. for nothing) we all went home skulls intact."

Unfortunately you have to pay for this article, but it quotes Swindon Stop the War activist Sidney Hinkes: "Among the broad church of protesters, though, it was, as ever, the veterans who lent most solemn dignity to the event. The Rev Sidney Hinkes, who served with the 6th Airborne Division, has been marching now for 47 years. "This is an unnecessary war. This is a cruel war. This is an illegal war. This is an imperial war," he said. "The US is a rogue state, and we must stop them from taking military command of the world." Hundreds of thousands marching across Britain yesterday were with him all the way. "

Black and white photos of the demonstration at USAF Fariford on the first Saturday of the 2003 Iraq war

"Yesterday, Saturday 22nd, two car loads of women from WIB, along with about 4000 others, descended on a picturesque and sleepy little village called Fairford. (Actually, sleepy is probably a completely inept description of a village which plays host to the US military base where the B52 bombers are launched from, in this terrible war on Iraq.) We were to represent WIB at a planned action against the base. Unfortunately someone must have dobbed on us to the police, because they were there too. In force. In riot gear. With horses. With dogs. With mobile camera units galore."

"While one group of Rhythms of Resistance London, brought their percussive protest and samba spirit to the STWC’s march to Hyde Park, another band of RoRer’s attempted to go to USAF Fairford. However events didn’t turn out as expected and people ended up reclaiming the streets of London’s Westend, if not the base."

If you ever wondered what the residents of Fairford think about the peace protesters then this excellent report on the demonstration is from the town's own web page.

"Peace demo in Swindon attracts 200+. Some attempt to join the Fairdord demo by bus afterwards, but are turned back by police."

"Scores of police in full riot gear were at the RAF Fairford airbase on Saturday afternoon, waiting for a peace march to pass. Around 2,000 protesters gathered outside the base where 14 US air force B-52 bombers are positioned. Campaigners were asked to bring wreaths to lay at the base for "the death of our democracy and for all the victims of the biggest preventable tragedy in history". A Gloucestershire police spokesman said they had expected between 3,000 and 5,000 people to attend the protest. It was the largest operation the force had ever mounted, he said. "

"A Greenpeace hot air balloon has dropped anti-war leaflets over RAF Fairford. The base is home to 14 B-52 bombers, eight of which took off on Friday morning. The balloon, with the words "No War" written on the side, dropped around 500 leaflets on the base."

"THOUSANDS of protesters are expected to mount the biggest peace demonstration yet seen at RAF Fairford on Saturday. Speakers booked to address the rally include writer George Monbiot and comedian Mark Thomas." ... "The Swindon Stop the War group is planning to hold a mass demonstration at the town centre war memorial on the day hostilities with Iraq start. Organisers plan to hold two gatherings at 1pm and 6pm. According to spokesman Andy Newman the second demonstration will be accompanied by an as yet unspecified act of civil disobedience."

"Two men are in custody in Gloucestershire after they were arrested at RAF Fairford. A friend of peace campaigners Phillip Pritchard, 32, and Toby Olditch, 34, both from Oxford, said they were arrested while attaching pictures of Iraqi victims of previous bombing campaigns and sanctions to the base's fence."

"PEACE campaigners have set up camp outside RAF Fairford which they believe will be used in an American led war against Iraq. The camp is in the village of Kempsford near the edge of the runway and will run for 28 days. It seeks to draw attention to the B-2 Stealth Bombers which could fly from the base if war is declared."

"Two women have been arrested as a group of veteran peace campaigners gathered at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to voice their opposition to a possible war with Iraq. Up to 50 elderly women - many in their 70s and 80s and calling themselves the 'Grannies for Peace' - are protesting outside the base, home to US B-52s in the run-up to a potential conflict in the Gulf."

"MARCH 17: PEACE protesters have been continuing to gather at a camp outside Gate 10 of RAF Fairford as the threat of war looms large. And one man gave a public display of defiance against imminent military action by burning his American passport in front of the American B-52 bombers stationed at the base."

"Four women of the London vigil (Camilla, Helena, Liz and Cynthia) went to Fairford USAF base, following many others, to lend support to the permanent Fairford Peace Camp which is providing us all with such vital on-the-spot info about the US operations there. We joined in a blockade of the main gate for some hours in the morning. This was a women's action - 'grannies' was the theme they had settled on. In the afternoon some of us moved to Gate 7 which is a more promising blockade site, since the bombs have to be transported across the road here to be loaded onto the B-52s."

Report from some Wales-based ex-Greenham Common women of a grannies protest and blockade of Fairford air base, and an appeal for people to join a peace camp.

"The giant planes arrived amidst heavy security from police forces including officers from Gloucestershire and the Ministry of Defence. They were also greeted by a small but determined group of banner-waving peace activists who were camped next to one of the base's crash gates. They remained at the base last night."

"Two members of the Non-Violent Direct Action group Trident Ploughshares, Dr. Margaret Jones, a freelance writer from Bristol and Paul Milling, a Quaker activist from Birmingham, appeared before Cheltenham Magistrates court this afternoon. They were both charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage, aggravated trespass, obstructing a lawful duty, and with committing £50,000 worth of criminal damage. They will appear again before Gloucester Crown Court at 10.00 am on 21 Friday March. Both will plead "lawful excuse" for the action. "

"PEACE protester Grace Trevett has returned from Iraq and has launched a global appeal for children to campaign against military action. Just hours after landing in the UK the Stroud mum held a conference at the perimeter fence at RAF Fairford. Grace, one of a group of human shields who travelled to Iraq in opposition to the conflict said she left Baghdad when the Iraqi government gave them the ultimatum to position themselves at more strategic sites or leave the country."

"ATTEMPTS by peace protesters to invade RAF Fairford ended with 12 arrests. They were trying to cut through the perimeter fence surrounding the Gloucestershire base, where 14 United States B-52 bombers are stationed. But protesters from Swindon, who marched to the site to show their support for the people camped outside Gate 10, were not among those arrested."

"Schoolchildren have joined an anti-war demonstration at an RAF base housing B-52 bombers in preparation for a possible Iraqi conflict. Youngsters from Cirencester College and Farmor's School in Fairford, left lessons on Friday to stage a protest march to the gates of RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire."

""Their arrival suggests there is an imminence of war," said Andy Newman, a resident of nearby Swindon and a war opponent. ... The arrival of the planes - as symbolic as it is significant - has brought out hundreds of protesters, according to British media. ... We're quite upset about it," said Newman, a member of the Stop the War Coalition. "Support for the war is very low here." Newman said a local newspaper polled readers last month to gauge residents' support for the war. The poll found that 88 percent of respondents are opposed to war with Iraq at this time. "

"CAAB was present as the US B-52 bombers roared into USAF Fairford, Gloucestershire today. Lindis Percy climbed the fence and spent 4 hours inside the base peacefully protesting and witnessing against the arrival of these monstrous death machines which are soon expected to bomb Iraq.

For two hours Lindis wandered around the base undetected despite the base being on high alert. She then spent a further two hours underneath a wing of one of the newly arrived US B-52 bombers peacefully protesting and witnessing against the impending US-led war against Iraq. In her hands she held an upside down US flag bearing the words 'THE WORLDS ROGUES ... GWB AND FRIENDS'. Not one patrol checked the plane during this time.

Lindis has been charged with s.68 'aggravated trespass' (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) and another charge which was suddenly produced at the same time of 'criminal damage' to a B-52 by tying the US flag on to the plane rendering it unusable for its intended purpose (not the exact words as charge sheet not to hand). The 'plea' date for appearance in court is 19 March 2003 at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court at 10 am. "

The strategic role of RAF Fairford explained in an article by Andy Newman, secretary of Swindon Stop the War Coalition

"ANTI-WAR campaigners stormed the gates at RAF Fairford on Sunday, briefly gaining access to the base before being repelled by police. Ten men and three women were arrested and face charges ranging from theft of police helmets to aggravated trespass and criminal damage. Police and protesters dispute how the gate opened. Mr Partridge [police spokesman] claimed the gate, which was topped by razor wire, was opened for safety reasons after a number of protesters tried to force it. Campaigners claim it was pulled open by the crowds, who had tied a number of ropes through the metal mesh."

"Thirteen people have been arrested after hundreds of anti-war protesters demonstrated outside an RAF base. About 450 people turned up outside RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Sunday. Police said a group stormed the main gate and perimeter fence and about half a dozen managed to break through, but were quickly captured."

Eyewitness report from the day some civilian weapons inspectors got fed up not being let into the air base and attempted to push their way in, plus comments and links to mainstream media coverage

Another eyewitness report from the day some civilian weapons inspectors got fed up not being let into the air base and attempted to push their way in.

"THE SPIRIT of Greenham Common has come to a village near RAF Fairford. A peace camp planned to coincide with next weekend's protest at the US bomber base has started a week early. Four campaigners, all from Stroud, arrived at dawn on Monday to set up the camp on a plot of land in Kempsford to protest against the base being used in any war with Iraq. Mother-of-two Kate Holcombe, a personal assistant and IT teacher, is planning to stay for a week. "I've never taken part in any kind of protest before, but I just think this is so important," she said."

"ANTI-war activists are planning to set up a permanent Greenham Common style peace camp at RAF Fairford to protest against military strikes on Iraq. The camp is being organised by former Greenham Common woman Jill Chadwick, a peace activist from Stroud. "There is a need to be at the base permanently so we can monitor activity and do anything we can to prevent this awful war," said Jill. "We want to draw attention to the fact that depleted uranium weapons are almost certainly being stored at the base." "

"FIVE people were arrested during a peace protest at RAF Fairford which saw 2,000 people demonstrate against war with Iraq. The arrests marred what was otherwise a peaceful protest which drew coach loads of protesters from Camarthen to London. Sunday's protest was organised to coincide with the last day of weapons inspections in Iraq. Protesters, many of whom wore 'anti radiation suits' and gas masks, gathered in Fairford town centre before walking a mile-and-a-half to the base, which will soon have the capability to house deadly B2 Stealth bombers. Fairford town councillor Lynn Phillips and her husband Roger were among the marchers. She said: "I hope this protest will have an impact, we have got to get through to Tony Blair somehow. "It's appalling that Stealth bombers could be based here." "

"Oxford peace campaigners joined hundreds of people from across Britain to protest outside an RAF base which they believe will play a major role in the war against Iraq. More than 70 anti-war protesters left St Giles in Oxford on January 26 to travel to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, where a number of US bombers are housed. "They store a Stealth Bomber here and other jets which could be responsible for the loss of hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. "I've seen the effects the last war had on the Iraqi people and it's shocking. It will be these innocent people who suffer if we go to war." "We're protesting against this in a non-violent, civilised manner." "

"Become a weapons inspector and demonstrate
At Fairford Base
Sunday 26 Jan
Assemble Fairford village at 12 noon
Bring food and drink. Bring personal items and messages to decorate the fence. "

"On Sat 14th Dec a 500 strong demonstration marched on RAF Fairford, & demanded entry to the Base for the purpose of conducting an inspection for weapons of mass destruction. The Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors http://www.gwi.org.uk led the march through the Village of Fairford. On their previous visit to the base, on Halloween, their final words were 'we'll be back'. Return they did on the 14th, with 500 citizen weapons inspectors to back them up.

This demonstration was called by Bristol-Stop-The-War in response to the arrival of U.S Stealth Bombers at RAF Fairford in Nov. Although the Bombers have returned to the U.S, it is believed they will soon return for the purpose of conducting carpet-bombing of Iraqi cities. This will place towns & cities such as Bristol, Swindon, Oxford, Gloucester & Stroud in the frontline of the U.S War for Oil. So, in the words of George Orwell, are we now just 'Airstrip 1'? "

"A 500-strong demonstration marched on RAF Fairford last Saturday, and demanded entry to the base to conduct an inspection for weapons of mass destruction. The Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors led the march through the village of Fairford."