The Swindon page 2004 - news archive

"Tony Hillier, Gate Ten supporter, receives industrious Brenda's fairfordpeacewatch regular e mail on Christmas Day 2004 and is immediately moved to scribble this with love and best wishes to all who believe and act on the fact that war is wrong."

"SWINDON'S two MPs have below average voting records in Westminster. But Julia Drown, MP for South Swindon, said Government whips were relaxed about her low voting record because she had been caring for her daughter, who was born in July 2003. The MP, who has got two children, voted in 39 per cent of the divisions held during the 2003/04 Parliamen-tary session ending in November. The average for Britain's 659 MPs was 65 per cent. Michael Wills, MP for North Swindon, fell just short of the average by voting in 63 per cent of divisions."

"I WAS pleased to see MP Julia Drown speaking out in defence of asylum seekers (Advertiser December 14). This is particularly important following the steep rise of race hate crimes in Swindon over the last year. Given all the press hysteria it is sobering to learn that there are only 115 asylum seekers in the whole town. Politicians of all parties have a responsibility to counter the misinformation and ignorance that causes racism."

"FORMER Swindon MP Lord Stoddart will chair a public meeting organised by the Swindon Stop the War Coalition. Lord Stoddart, who has been an outspoken critic of the Government's policy towards Iraq, will chair the meeting on February 1. Speakers at the meeting include Bruce Kent, the former national chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, who will be speaking about alternatives to war and Kate Hudson who will be speaking about the situation in Iraq. Spokesperson for Swindon Stop the War Coalition, Andy Newman said: "We are delighted that Lord Stoddart is able to join Bruce Kent for this meeting. "Both are very well respected men, and it is important that we continue to raise awareness of the situation in Iraq where British troops are in danger every day." The meeting will be at 7.30pm at the Moravian Church in Dixon Street, admission free."

"SWINDON should be proud of its status as a haven for people fleeing the world's war zones, says MP Julia Drown. … Ms Drown says people should remember the benefits that these people bring to communities. "I would remind people that the insurance firm Zurich was bought to Swindon by an asylum seeker. That one person has created hundreds of jobs for the town. ... She said: "After the Second World War we agreed that we would assist asylum seekers who come to this country. I still think that is right and I believe it would be wrong for us to send people back to their homeland where they face torture or death." "

"SWINDON peace campaigner Andy Newman has had a tribute to football legend Brian Clough included in a biography. "

"STREET entertainer Robert Stredder is calling on Swindonians to support a mini Live Aid. The event takes place at the Beehive pub in Old Town from 7.30pm on December 20. It's an open mic so any budding joketeller, storyteller or singer is invited to take to the stage. All money raised will assist Red Cross International in their mission to help young victims of war."

"PEACE protesters at the Swindon Stop the War Coalition are appealing for the return of their banner. A student took the banner away to repair after it was vandalised during a rally in the town centre. But the student has not returned it yet. Andy Newman, chairman of the coalition, said: "The banner was taken away in the confusion by a student, but we have no way of contacting him." Activists were reading anti war poetry at the war memorial in Regent Street when a man attacked the £300 banner with a Stanley knife. Anyone with information should call Tony Hillier on 01793 346440 or Robert Stredder on 01793 725206. "

Note: our banner has now been returned. It's badly ripped but there are no bits missing so we think we can repair it.

"Dear Anne Snelgrove. I am writing to you both as a voter in South Swindon and as secretary of Swindon Stop the war Coalition. …. Can you confirm whether you would have voted for the war last year had you been an MP at the time? Can you also confirm whether the events since the invasion in march 2003 have led you to change your mind about the wisdom of the war? Please bear in mind that no WMD have been found, there is an increasingly virulent popular insurrection in Iraq, and the road map for peace in Palestine has been wrecked by Israeli intransigence. A recent report published in the Lancet estimates that 100000 Iraqi civilians have been killed consequent to the invasion. In Afghanistan the aid that was promised for reconstruction of the country has not been given, and much of the country has reverted to warlordism. The United Nations recently reported that opium production has reached record levels in Afghanistan this year, most of the heroin on British streets comes from Afghanistan."

"SWINDON Peer David Stoddart has urged the government to trust public common sense when it comes to coping with terrorist attacks. He said British people could be relied upon to help each other, and to deal with whatever terrorists threw at them. Lord Stoddart, a former Swindon MP, said that he had faith in a Blitz spirit carrying the country through in the face of new aggression. He also insisted people did not need to be nannied or mollycoddled by the state. Speaking in the House of Lords, the 78-year-old cited World War Two and more recent emergencies, including this week's train crash near at Ufton Nervet, as proof of public resilience."

"North Wiltshire MP James Gray has called for a fundamental and urgent review of Britain's Iraq policy. He challenged Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to reconsider the UK's role in the conflict, after a week in which British armed forces suffered record losses. Mr Gray ­ who originally voted for the war ­ also pointed to the current violence in Fallujah, insisting the situation was "astonishing". "

We held a candlelit vigil in Swindon town centre to mark the start of the ground invasion of Fallujah

"WE are all aware of the facts leading up to the invasion of Iraq. We have now lost 68 of our finest sons. It is quite clear from opinion polls the public believe that someone, somewhere as the politicians say was economical with the truth. I personally, prefer, led up the garden path. The Government appears to have lost the trust of the nation on this matter. If, in the near future, the Prime Minister informs us a country in the Middle East has obtained an active nuclear weapon and seeks a mandate to invade that country from Parliament, it is highly likely, because of public opinion about Iraq, Parliament would say no. What if the Prime Minister was correct and, because of lack of response, the nuclear weapon was launched and there was retaliation? Get ready for World War Three, there won't be a fourth. "

Swindon student Alex Ogle, who met Senator John Kerry last week, went to a George Bush rally this week to get the other side of the story. "Writing for the Pitt News, a college newspaper in Pittsburgh, I have seen a plethora of Democrats ­ the candidate John Kerry himself, and supporting politicians. The president and other Republicans gave up on the city long ago, so to maintain an impression of balanced election coverage, a friend and I decided we should drive the two hours out of Pennsylvania to bordering Ohio. Bush spoke from a podium for an hour, glancing down to his script every 10 seconds. By contrast, Kerry had wandered around the stage with his microphone, making comments and interacting with the crowd, talking in a relaxed, assured fashion. Paul Harris, the US correspondent for The Guardian and The Observer, stood next to me in the press pen. The president's performance was the most confident Harris had seen in the three months he has been covering the campaign. To me, especially compared with his opponent, Bush seemed to be more puppet-like than I ever imagined he could be in real life. The crowd cheered and booed at appropriate intervals, but I got the distinct impression of déjà vu: I had seen this exact speech a dozen times before on television. "

"What began as the rumblings of the initial Democratic primary process to appoint a challenger to George W. Bush over 18 months ago culminates in the roar of the most expensive election in history. The 24 hour news networks are alive with shiny analysis, behind-the-scenes exclusives and interviews with undecided voters looking decidedly confused. Every day the President and Democratic challenger Senator John Kerry are head down in televised, thus carefully scripted, town hall meetings and, for Bush, invite-only rallies; both camps eulogizing the same vague principles of 'freedom, strength' and opportunity.' "

"During one of his final pre-election appearances, he called on Democrats to support him when they vote on Tuesday. Bush was introduced to thousands of supporters in a hangar at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport by Senator Zell Miller, D-Ga., who spoke at the Republican Convention in New York last month. Miller said his support of the president across party lines is because of the new threat of terrorism on American soil. "

"Alex Ogle, 21, went to Greendown School and Swindon College, before spending a gap year travelling the world and starting a BA in American Studies at the University of Sussex in Brighton. As part of his course he is spending a year in the US. He is in Pennsylvania where he reports on the run-up to the elections.

It's 6.45pm, and volunteers have been instructed to hand out the signs. A crowd of 8,000 are waiting for Senator John Kerry, the Democratic challenger to President George W. Bush. They have sat through speeches from congressmen, senators, celebrity Ted Danson, and musician Jon Bon Jovi. Many have been standing in this same muddy field since midday, and the fact signs are being distributed sends a ripple through the audience. "

"ON Friday, October 15 I was by the cenotaph at Swindon Town Hall at 12.15pm looking at a banner that had Get Our Troops Out Of Iraq and Justice For Palestine printed on it. Also looking at this was a man in green overalls. He looked at the banner for about ten minutes then attacked it with a knife and ripping it badly. "

"A FORMER teacher is hoping to step into the shoes of South Swindon MP Julia Drown. Winning candidate Anne Snelgrove blitzed the selection process with an overwhelming majority. Ms Drown, who was elected when Tony Blair swept into office in 1997, announced she would be standing down at the next General Election to spend more time with her young family."

By a demonstrator from Swindon: "Sunday 17th October, the closing day of the European Social Forum. We marched from Russell Square to Trafalgar Square, listened to speeches and danced to the sambatistas. Here are some photos and a report."

"What we were met with as we stepped off the bus in Marylebone Street yesterday was quite over-whelming. There was a heaving mass of people, accompanied by deafening whistles and drums. The wide-eyed group of 35 protesters from the Swindon Stop the War Coalition joined the crowd of thousands from across the UK and Europe in their plea for peace and an end to the coalition occupation of the Middle East country."

Poet and community activist, Tony Hillier, respectfully tries to express his emotions, at the time of the death of kidnapped Ken Bigley. Swindon, UK, 9 October 2004

"THE mother of a Swindon soldier killed in the failed Bravo Two Zero mission has spoken of her anguish at the loss of her second son. Jeff Phillips, 47, died last week, having fought for 13 years to clear the name of his brother Vince, who was branded a coward in books such as Bravo Two Zero by Andy NcNab and The One That Got Away by Chris Ryan. His mother said he died `of a broken heart'. Jeff Phillips was determined to correct what he said were errors and myths created by the two books. His brother Vince was one of the most experienced members of the Special Forces patrol with 11 years' experience. But he was one of three members of the eight-man team who died during the Gulf War when their mission to try and find Iraqi ballistic missile launchers went wrong."

"SWINDON'S Muslims have written a letter to the family of hostage Ken Bigley to condemn the terror group which is holding him captive. Thamesdown Islamic Association says ordinary Muslims are revolted by the actions of extremists who kidnapped the 62-year-old engineer in Iraq. Its 400 members fear the episode has cast Islam in a bad light and want to pledge their support to the Bigleys. Azim Khan, spokesman for the association which runs the mosque in Broad Street, said: "We are very uncomfortable about the situation. "We haven't had any negative reaction in Swindon but it does mean Muslims get a bad name in the media. "We want to tell the family that we sympathise with them and hope Mr Bigley will be released in good health. "

"CAMPAIGNERS in Swin-don welcomed the announcement from UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw that the UK supports an international treaty to control the trade in arms. Amnesty International and Oxfam campaigners launched the Control Arms campaign a year ago with support from South Swindon MP, Julia Drown."

"PRIME Minister Tony Blair lied to the nation over the Iraq war, Wiltshire MP James Gray has claimed. In his most scathing attack on the Prime Minister, Mr Gray, who voted for the war, said he had been tricked by a deceitful Mr Blair. The North Wiltshire MP said: "I very much regret that I supported the decision to go to war. I wish I had rebelled. "It is obvious Blair lied to the nation in regards to weapons of mass destruction. There were no weapons, there was no link between al-Qaeda and Iraq or Iraq and 9/11."

"BRITISH troops should not be pulled out of Iraq as a panic measure, South Swindon MP Julia Drown has urged. She said: "In terms of should the troops be pulled out early, everybody thinks it would be good to get them out as soon as possible. But that does not mean we should abandon the people of Iraq, who are benefiting from the presence and the work of our forces. We want to get to a point ­ as soon as possible ­ to have more security and enough stability for democratic elections in Iraq. That would provide the basis for a better future. Once that is done, all foreign forces can be reduced and pulled out." "

"SWINDON'S Stop the War coalition is urging people to join an international demonstration next month. The protest, in London on Sunday, October 17, takes place a fortnight before the American Presidential election. The march is also supported by CND and the Muslim Association of Britain. Andy Newman, Secretary of Swindon Stop the War Coalition, said: "The American election looks like it will be very close. We want there to be a really big protest in London, so that it gets reported in America. Even if only a few people take notice it could be enough to tip the result." The demonstration is expected to attract people from all over Europe as it coincides with the last day of the European Social Forum, which is a series of meetings and debates being held in London. On the same day as the demonstration, the chairman of Swindon Stop the War Coalition, Rev Sidney Hinkes, will be speaking in West-minster Abbey as part of the Week of Prayer for World Peace.

Coaches for the demonstration will be leaving from Swindon College car park in Regents Circus at 10.15am. Tickets cost £12 or £6 for concessions. Call 01793 520903 to book."

"Andy Newman fears the entry on the British page of the American Stormfront site could provoke a terrorist attack on his young family. And he was disgusted to see someone calling himself White Terror had posted a comment asking whether his name was Newman or Neumann ­ the Jewish spelling. Mr Newman, 43, chairs the Swindon Stop the War Coalition and is secretary of the local Socialist Alliance branch. He said: "As I have a young family, including a newborn baby, I take it very seriously that an organisation which has been linked with violence has posted my home address on a fascist webpage." "

"Campaigners fighting to keep open Malmesbury Maternity Hospital have failed to win the backing of Swindon Council. Campaigners argued that 107 Swindon women had received antenatal care at the unit in the past two years, and 21 women had given birth there. This contradicts the council's assertion that just 19 Swindon women had used the unit in the past two years. "

"We received a tip off that top government minister Charles Clark would be holding a “big conversation” meeting in Swindon on Tuesday, so 6 of us from the Stop the War Coalition leafleted the meeting with our banner outside (despite terrible rain)."

"THE bulldozers will be moving in to carve up Swindon's Front Garden to make way for 4,500 homes. The final hurdle in the controversial plan to build on the green swathe open land has been cleared and the development will now go ahead. In January, the £750m Bryant Homes scheme was given the go-ahead at a special meeting of the council's planning committee, but planning rules meant the matter had to be submitted to the office of Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, for evaluation. He had the power to order a public inquiry, but has instead rubber-stamped the decision."

Full results of the Swindon local elections on 10th June 2004 - broken down by ward, with number and percentage of votes gained by each candidate.

"COUNTDOWN TO ELECTION DAY:Tony Hillier from Old Walcot asked the leaders what they would do to motivate people of all ages to get involved in local democracy. "

"Plans to bulldoze Shaw Community Forest to make way for a new football stadium have been dealt a blow by Swindon's political leaders. Council leader Mike Bawden has said he would not vote for the proposal as it stood. Labour top dog Kevin Small said if the council voted on the issue tomorrow it would be rejected. Lib Dem chief Mike Evemy said his party did not support the proposals either. And Green Party speaker Bill Hughes described the scheme as disgraceful. Find out how the leaders answered more of your questions in tomorrow's Adver. "

"Thousands of men took part in the D-Day beach assaults on Normandy 60 years ago ­ and many did not come back. As the world's attention returned to those beaches again yesterday, Swindon veterans gathered in the town to honour those whose sacrifice marked the beginning of the end of World War II. "

"Around 1,000 protesters converged on Swindon Council's offices on Saturday in a show of unity against plans to build on our green spaces. Around 150 people set out from Coate and another 250 from the Mead Way entrance to the forest on a five-mile trek into town. They were met by a small crowd at their destination in Euclid Street. Mark Wheaver, of the Save Coate group, said: "We are only here because we love our green spaces." He told the crowd he became a Swindonian the first time he looked out over Coate Water, but the image of it as a town park made him feel like weeping. Why break a Faberge egg to make a concrete omelette?" he asked. "

"20 supporters of Unite Against Fascism, (including members of the Labour Party, Lib Dems, Greens, Socialist Alliance, RESPECT and hunt sabs, and people who just don’t like fascists) leafleted Calne with 3000 Searchlight newspapers on Sunday 6th June. Calne is a small town in Wiltshire, quite nice, but not at all affluent and there are a few social problems."

"Pleased to announce that Wiltshire BBC, who were planning to interview the BNP about Unite Against Fascism leafleting have pulled the item. Basically, the BBC were bombarded with phone calls and e-mails. As discussed on this earlier thread, where you can find the background to the story: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/westcountry... "

"Shortly after 10am, a couple of hundred people who had assembled at the Hillmead entrance to Shaw Community Forest set off through the forest and onto the River Ray parkway (also not-very-well-known as route 45 of the national cycle network). A report by mobile phone indicated around 150 people setting off from Coate Water Country Park at the same time. ... In a splendid example of good timing with good symbolism, the two groups of marchers arrived within minutes of each other at a watering point set up by the Front Garden Action Group (FRAG), on the bridge where the Old Town railway path crosses the canal. ... Assembling in the car park at the front of the civic offices, under a metaphorical banner of the embryonic STOP (Swindonians Together On Planning) alliance, the marchers who now numbered around a thousand (unofficial estimate) listened to speeches from the steps of the main entrance. Representatives of the Swindon Forest Protection Group, the Save Coate campaign, the Front Garden Action Group and the Swindon Civic Trust, and Swindon South MP Julia Drown addressed the rally."

"We were contacted by Wiltshire BBC for a radio interview on Matthew Smith's Sunday Morning programme. However, we were then advised that the BNP Press Officer would also be on the programme. We therefore withdrew from the programme as we will not share air time with a racist and fascist organisation. Particularly as the only reason the story was in the news in the first place was because we were leafleting against the BNP -we see no need to give these fascists an opportunity to promote race hatred over the airwaves. We have now been told that the BBC intend to proceed anyway with the BNP interview. This is irresponsible and sensationalist journalism from the BBC - instead of denying the BNP publicity they are courting them."

followed by a heated debate about whether or not refusing to appear on a program with a BNP representative is the right tactic.

"THE head of Swindon Stop the War Coalition is to spearhead an anti-BNP protest on Sunday. Andy Newman is also a member of and spokesman for the Unite Against Fascism group. The coalition's attention has been drawn to Calne because BNP member Robert Baggs is standing as a European Parliamentary candidate there. "

"But civil liberties campaigner Andy Newman thinks that the campaign is misguided and that the police should concentrate on infiltrating terrorist organisations. "I think it's a terrible idea," he said. "They did a similar scheme in America and it just resulted in a lot of people phoning up about neighbours who were just different from them. A lot of people have the pre-conception that Muslims are terrorists and may start making calls about their Muslim neighbours." He thinks the design of the poster, showing just a pair of women's eyes, may invoke an association with Muslim traditional dress and reinforce the idea that the majority of terrorists are Muslim. "Any publicity about terrorism needs to be very sensitive not to inflame misconceived prejudices," he added. "

"A "racist" British Government has failed to keep count of Iraq dead because it does not value their lives, Swindon peer Lord Stoddart has claimed. In an attack on the Iraq war policy, he said that ministers only cared about the lives of troops ­ not the people they were supposedly sent to help. According to estimates by the group Iraq Body Count and the Red Cross, more than 11,000 Iraqis have been killed during the invasion and its aftermath. The Government does not keep records of Iraqi dead."

" Swindon pro-war MPs state reply to Stop the War Coalition. We wrote to our two pro-war MPs asking if they had changed their minds: the text of our original letter can be read here: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/westcountry...
The reason we wrote was to give them the opportunity to avoid us campaigning against their re-election. Here are their replies.

"Swindon peer Lord Stoddart has called on the government to pull British troops out of Iraq. He said a continued upsurge in violence, together with torture allegations against British and American troops, had left the occupation in tatters. Speaking in the House of Lords, he said it was time the Government admitted it had made mistakes and took soldiers out of the firing line."

Accounting for all our income and ooutgoings over the last financial year

A statement from Swindon Stop the War coalition following the news on 11th May that Julia Drown MP (Lab, Swindon South) will not be standing in the next general election.

"She has represented the constituency since Labour's landslide General Election victory in 1997, but has decided not to contest the next election. Ms Drown, 41, explained that she wanted to spend more time with her family, but did not rule out standing for election to Parliament again at some point in the future."

Webmonkey's note: Despite her keen interest in the environment and animal welfare issues, Julia has consistently supported and defended the US-led and Blair-backed wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sorry, but we expect our MP's to represent us to the government, not the other way round.

"It is the policy of Swindon Stop the War Coalition to campaign against the election of MPs who support the war and the continued military occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. We therefore intend to make a great deal of publicity over the issue during the next general election, urging people to vote for anti-war candidates. We will of course not be endorsing, either explicitly or implicitly any other party or candidate. Nevertheless we recognise that people do change their minds, and should you have now reconsidered your position with relation to the war on Iraq, then we will not campaign against your re-election."

"Angry West Swindon residents yesterday assembled in their hundreds and more to protest against Swindon Town Football Club (STFC)'s plans to build a new stadium and 'sports village' on the site of a community forest. There was a bit of a traffic jam while they crossed the road, before taking a walk round the forest to reclaim it for the community."

"Protests win extension of consultation period for Malmesbury and Devizes Maternity Units. There was a small and lively picket of the health bosses (Primary care Trust) deciding whether to close award winning units in Malmesbury and Devizes on Monday morning. The campaign raised 10000 signatures recently, and has been pressurising the PCT during all consultation meetings."

"Lobby of Board Meeting, Tuesday 27th April, 9.30 am, Southgate House, Pan's Lane, Devizes"

Another plug for the Swindon Stop the War AGM, with a debate on what could have been done better.

"Have your say in the future direction of the peace movement. Please come to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Swindon Stop the War Coalition on 27th April, at 7:30 in the Friends Meeting House, Eastcott Hill."

Prominent Swindon Moslem, Mr Khan Nawaz writes: "THE Muslim community in Swindon would wholeheartedly condemn any form of terrorism and violence. The acts of terrorism that have been carried out in the name of Islam have nothing to do with religion."

Andy Newman's report of the public meeting on civil liberties held by Swindon Stop the War Coalition, with guest speaker solicitor Matt Foot.

"All this time we've been looking for weapons of mass destruction, and then WMD programmes, in Iraq, but it turns out that there's a WMD programme going on right under our noses! To highlight this hypocrisy, a group of dedicated souls marched from London to AWE Aldermarston over the Easter bank holiday weekend. These photos are from the final day, between Reading and Aldermarston. "

"Swindon Stop the War Coalition has organised a public meeting to discuss the impact on civil liberties of the war on terror. The meeting will be at 7:30 on Tuesday 6th April at Friends Meeting House, Eastcott Hill. Matt Foot, a civil liberties lawyer from Fishers solicitors in London will address the meeting. Matt successfully acted for British protesters arrested at the anti-globalisation protests in Genoa, Italy in 2002. "

"Robert Baggs, candidate for the BNP in Calne Abberd ward (Wiltshire) secured 85 votes (13%) in a council by-election on March 18th. Although still alarmingly high, it is good to note that this is less than they got last year. On 1st May 2003 the BNP got 101 votes (17%) in the same ward. "

"We have arranged for a public meeting at Malmesbury Town Hall at 1.30pm on Saturday 3rd April. The meeting will be chaired by James Gray MP who has also invited all directors of both the Primary Care Trust and Strategic Health Authority (the people who tell the PCT what to do). Julia Drown MP and Michael Ancram MP will also be attending. Richard Hallett will make a presentation on the advantages of small maternity units (medical, social and financial). There will be opportunity to make your views heard. Please come along and show your support! And secondly our website is up and running on http://www.savemalmesburymaternityunit.co.uk. Please let us know what you think. "

Report and photos from a Swindon activist at the London demonstration: "[LONDON, 20th March 2004] One year after the 'shock and awe' invasion of Iraq, I'm more convinced than ever that it was the wrong thing to do. So, armed with camera, mobile phone, A-Z and home-made placard, I joined the march and rally in London. Here are some photos and my account of the day."

"With ref to P Mallinson's letter (EA Monday, March 8). Mr Mallinson starts his letter by accusing Mr Topping of twisting the facts. He then does British servicemen who served in Palestine a monstrous dis-service himself by twisting the facts about the creation of Israel. The creation of Israel came about after a very bloody terrorist war between several Jewish terrorist gangs and the British who were stationed in Palestine after WWII. "

"MUMS were out in force in Malmesbury on Saturday urging people to pack a public meeting tonight, called to rally people to make a final stand to save the hospital's maternity unit. Meeting organiser, Sarah Newman of Swindon, who has produced a campaign leaflet telling people in Malmesbury the ways they can register their protest, said: "We need as many people as possible to support the unit at tonight's meeting." "If they close this maternity unit it will mean that pregnant women in Swindon only have the choice of a large hospital or their home for childbirth. "Experience has shown that small maternity units have lots of advantages for women including shorter labours, less chance of Caesarean sections and a more homely experience generally," she said. "

Swindon peace activist Martin Topping continues his defence of the Palestinians

"DOZENS of Shaw residents have vowed to stand strong to save their local post office from being closed by supermarket giant Tesco. It is likely to be axed when the current One Stop shop becomes a Tesco Express store, as Tesco says there will not be enough room in the revamped shop. The post office, in Ramleaze Drive, is near George Tweed Gardens, a sheltered home in Pilgrim Close that houses about 90 pensioners. Jean Waller, 64, who lives in the sheltered home, said: "Thousands of people will be affected if the post office closes. You never go into the post office and find it empty." If the post office were to close, the nearest one would be at Asda in the West Swindon Centre, which is about a mile away. "

Letter to Adver by John Carter. "Blair and Bush should stand trial for war crimes the murder of tens of thousands of Iraqis, sending serviceman to their deaths and helping to promote worldwide terror and instability."

"THE extreme right-wing British National Party (BNP) is preparing to field candidates in Swindon's council elections in June. The BNP will also be fighting the European elections in the Swindon region on the same day. "

An update on our current financial position, and what we spend the money on.

"A FILM about the Algerian independence war of the 1950s, to be screened at an Old Town pub, will add to the current debate about the Iraq war, say organisers. The Battle Of Algiers portrays the war in graphic detail and shows how the French occupying forces and the Algerian resistance fighters were sucked into a cycle of violence and revenge. The screening has been organised by Swindon Socialist Alliance."

Secretary of Swindon stop the war coalition lambast town's MPs for supporting war on Iraq. "Blair acted as Bush's poodle and Swindon deserves better than two MPs who act as fleas on a poodle. "

"Swindon Animal Concern raised over £3500 for various animal welfare organisations during the course of 2003, and more importantly, helped to raise the general public's awareness of the impact on animal welfare of the way they conduct their day-to-day lives."

"Malmesbury Maternity Unit is threatened with closure by Kennet & North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) along with the Devizes Maternity Unit despite big campaigns to defend these units in each town. A petition of 10000 was presented to the PCT last year. Campaigners have asked for it back as they now wish to present it to Parliamant, but the PCT refuses to return it wotout explanation (probably becasue they just binned it - showing their real concern for local feeling). All the services currently provided by the award-winning midwives in Malmesbury would be transferred to Chippenham. There is a consultation process lasting until 26th April 04 during which we can make our views clear to the PCT. The closure can be stopped! "

Swindon Peace activist, Martin Topping, explains his support for Palestinian suicide bombers

"South Swindon MP, Julia Drown, today met with Dr Barham Salih, Prime Minister of the Kurdish Regional Government in Northern Iraq. Prime Minister Salih met a group of interested MPs in the House of Commons to brief them on the current situation in Iraq. He passed gratitude from ordinary Iraqi people for the action that Britain and the coalition took last year and the sacrifice that this involved. He was in no doubt that the action was warranted and worthwhile and stressed that the situation in Iraq is largely calm. He expressed his concern that the Western press is focussing unduly and almost entirely on the negatives. "

"Who cares for the child
Sleeping alone
A rag for a blanket
A pillow of stone" [more…]

"The campaign to save Swindon teenager Inna Haville has ended with complete victory as Immigration Minister Beverley Hughes has given Inna indefinite leave to stay in the UK. Reversing an earlier Home Office decision that Inna should be deported to the Ukraine."

"Three peace campaigners from Swindon have just returned from a major international conference in Egypt against the US occupation of Iraq and against globalization. Over 1,000 people attended the event, mainly from Egypt. Around 100 people went from Britain." Includes the text of a paper presented by Swindon Stop the War Coalition secretary Andy Newman on the subject of demonstrations at USAF Fairford and in London in the run-up to and the early days of the 2003 Iraq war.

"A CAMPAIGN to stop a teenager being deported back to the Ukraine has begun. The Save Inna Haville Campaign has collected its first 300 signatures in its attempt to stop the Government removing the 19-year-old from her home in Sevenhampton, near Highworth. Mark and Melanie Haville rescued Inna from a run-down orphanage in the former Soviet country three years ago, but have now been told she must return home. But Andy Newman, chairman of the campaign group, said: "We have got to be both realistic and optimistic. Realistically the Government has its mind made up, but we will not give up fighting." "
Next meeting 8th January, 7:30 pm, freinds meeting house.

Page from the Socialist Worker covering the Cairo conference in December 2003, with a photo of conference delegates including the party of three from Swindon Stop the War Coalition. PDF format, so you need the free Acrobat reader from http://www.adobe.com/ to open this page.

"THE Wiltshire Tory who said Tony Blair should not have allowed MPs to vote on war with Iraq has won an award for his controversial views. James Gray, a former reserve soldier, picked up the Royal College of Defence Studies prize after writing a thesis on the invasion. In the 10,000 word paper, titled "Crown vs Parliament: Who Decides on Going to War", he stated the Prime Minister should not have to prove conflict was necessary before invading a country."

"A broad based community campaign is promised to defend Swindon teenager Inna Haville from deportation to the Ukraine. Swindon Trades Union Council (TUC) has voted to support a launch meeting for the campaign on Tuesday 16th December, 7:30 at the Friends meeting House, Eastcott Hill Swindon."

"Swindon Stop the War Coalition is sending three delegates to an international anti-war conference in Egypt starting on December 13th. Around 200 delegates are expected to attend from Europe including well known figures, such as Tony Benn, George Galloway MP, the Chippenham born MP Jeremy Corbyn and Yvonne Ridley the journalist famous for her capture by the Taliban while travelling in disguise during the war in Afghanistan."

"TWO Swindon delegates are to be sent to an international anti-war conference in Egypt. Andy Newman, the secretary of the Swindon Stop The War Coalition, and Deborah Schofield, who is also a member of the coalition, will be among more than 1,000 delegates from across Europe and the Middle East at the conference in Cairo on December 13. Other peace campaigners due to attend include politicians Tony Benn, George Galloway and Jeremy Corbyn, and Yvonne Ridley, the journalist captured by the Taliban while travelling in disguise through Afghanistan. "

Swindon Stop the War Coalition is sending two delegates to The Cairo International Conference Against US Aggression in Egypt on December 13th and 14th. "Ashraf El Bayoumi is one of the organisers of the Cairo conference. He is a campaigner based in Egypt who was arrested recently for joining an anti-war protest. He explains the importance of the event."

"A Delegation from Swindon Stop the War Colaition travelled to Paris for the Anti-war demo on 15th November" (photo)

Wiltshire Constabulary have written to the Stop the War Coalition to say they will not be investigating the Prime Minister for illegal acts relating to the attack on Iraq. A letter was handed into the police on 21st November signed by Andrew Newman, secretary of the Swindon Coalition, and former paratrooper Rev Sidney Hinkes, a veteran local Peace Campaigner.

Swindon Stop the War Colaition are disappointed by the lack of seriousness shown by Wiltshire Constabulary over this matter. There is certainly enough evidence available just from reading newspapers to suggest that Tony Blair may have committed the crime of conduct ancillary to Genocide by authorizing the use of heavy munitions against areas populated by civilians: this is the most serious crime in English criminal law.

We think Wiltshire Police have a moral duty to investigate this, especially as there is evidence that cluster bombs were transported across Wiltshire from the Berkshire Arms Dump, RAF Welford to RAF Fairford. They were then dropped on urban targets in Iraq in contravention of international law. At some stages Wiltshire police were guarding troops and aircraft engaged in illegal activities - next time someone wants to rob a bank in Swindon perhaps they should ask for a police escort to help their getaway!

There are recent precedents for police forces in Western democracies intervening to investigate the illegal actions of politicians. Only a few years ago, the famous Spanish Judge Garzon investigated the illegal actions of his own government's (GAL) death squads which operated in Spain's Basque region in the early 1980s. That ended with the former Socialist Interior Minister, Jose Barrionuevo, in prison.

We confidently look forward to the day when Tony Blair stands in the dock indicted for war crimes.

Tony Hillier celebrates England’s rugby world cup win but can’t stop himself looking for a more peaceful world

A delegation from Swindon Stop the War Coalition will be presenting a letter to Swindon Police Station demanding that they arrest Tony Blair for War Crimes under the International Criminal Court Act. The Coalition believes that the war on Iraq was illegal under the United Nations Charter and becasue Tony Blair ordered the use of high explosive weapons such as cruise missiles, cluster bombs and depleted uranium shells, Tony Blair engaged in conduct ancillary to genocide, the most serious offence in UK criminal law.

The delegation will be led by the Reverend Sidney Hinkes from Malmesbury. The Rev Hinkes is very well respected in Swindon. He is a former Paratrooper who saw active service in palestine and has been a peace campaigner since 1956.

The delegation will be assembling in the car park outside Swindon Coillege in Regent Circus at 11:45 and will present the letter to the police station at 12:00 noon, too coincide with similar actions at police stations throughout the UK, and at British embassies abroad. The action is being organised by Legal Action Againt War: http://www.laaw.org

Secretary of Swindon Stop the War Coalition, Andy Newman, said: "We are a bit serious. We believe Tony Blair has commited crimes under international and UK law. Every citizen has a duty to report crimes to the police, and that is what we are doing. When a crime is reported it is the duty of the Police to investigate the reported crime and arrest and prosecute the offenders if there is a case to answer. 400 years ago the people of England fought a civil war and chopped off a King's head to establish that no-one is above the law, not even Tony Blair. So I expect the police to look into our serious allegations and I'm looking forward to the Wiltshire constabulary arresting Tony Blair next time he drives west down the M4" NB This is a PDF file, you need the free Acrobat reader to view it.

ANDY NEWMAN, of the Swindon Stop The War Coalition, talks of his feelings this week as US president George Bush visits Britain. "President Bush's visit to the UK has clearly stirred up strong emotions. Given all the security, it seems more like an invasion than a friendly visit. I personally believe Bush should be prosecuted as a war criminal, not wined and dined by the Queen. ... This visit is just dseigned to boost George Bush for his re-election next year. The British people deserve better than to be the backdrop for a promotional video for this terrible man. ... The pictures of British protests against George Bush will also be shown around the world, and will send a strong message that the British people do not support war and injustice. "

"Anti-war activists in Swindon who were unable to join the national demonstration in London against the Bush visit held their own protest in the town centre. As well as the protest songs, poetry and another round of skipping for peace, a makeshift statue of the Toxic Texan was pulled down in a spoof re-run of the statue toppling media show held in Baghdad earlier this year. An American flag was burned, and despite the reservations of some activists this did not appear to offend anyone, and there was no shortage of people offering to help light it. "

"On the day George Bush defended his invasion of Iraq, anti-war protesters gathered in Swindon. The Swindon Stop The War Coalition met at the war memorial in Regent Circus yesterday to say `stop' to Mr Bush. Coalition secretary Andy New-man impersonated Mr Bush, who addressed Whitehall as part of his visit to Britain. He said: "Someone was disappointed because they thought the real George Bush was coming. But the protest went well and we were well received." "

"THE father of a Swindon soldier who risked his life fighting in Iraq says he feels no anger or resentment towards the campaigners who will today protest against the war. "Everybody is entitled to protest. As long as it's peaceful then it's fine. I've no anger or resentment at the people who do protest." "

"Shoppers and workers in Swindon town centre this lunchtime were slightly bemused to find George W Bush explaining his plans for global domination via a megaphone. A closer inspection revealed that he was actually a Swindon Stop the War Coalition activist in a rubber mask." And check out Bush's comment on the article thanking the people of Switzerland for their welcome.

"The US president arrives in Britain today, hoping to meet families of British servicemen who were killed in the recent Gulf War. The Swindon Stop the War Coalition is planning a series of demonstrations, kicking off at midday tomorrow with a protest outside the war memorial in Regent Circus."

"Anti-war MP George Galloway has urged Swindonians to head to London to protest against US President George Bush's visit later this month. Addressing a public meeting of 110 people at the Pilgrim Centre in Regent Street on Thursday night, Mr Galloway, MP for Glasgow Kelvin, said: "There's now no one even pretending the Government did not lie us into the war against Iraq." "

A brief report and a couple of photos from the Swindon Stop the War Coalition public meeting with George Galloway

"Across Swindon there are thousands of people who are angry that the government took us to war based upon lies and many are very dissatisfied with the poor performance of our two Swindon MPs, who just toed the party line instead of thinking for themselves. There is a lot of concern that British troops could now be sucked into an indefinite guerrilla war."

A poem by Tony Hillier after the Hutton Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly.

Report and photos from Swindon Stop the War Coalition public meeting with Ghada Razuki from the national Stop the War Coalition office and Dr Azzam Tamimi from the Institute of Islamic Political Thought.

"SWINDON Peace campaigners are travelling to London tomorrow to attend a People's Assembly to decide whether the government's case for war on Iraq was justified. The People's Assembly will see hundreds of delegates from around the country hear evidence from weapons control expert Hans Von Sponeck who claims the Government exaggerated the threat from Iraq, and solicitors including Louise Christian, who is working for British citizens being held by the United States in Guantanamo bay in Cuba."

"ANTI-WAR protesters are to run coaches to London for a demonstration against the Anglo-American occupation of Iraq. The Swindon Stop The War Coalition is joining the march from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square on September 27."

"Members of the Swindon Stop the War Coalition recently attended one of Michael Wills' surgeries in Stratton St Margaret. Michael Wills, MP for Swindon North, was totally in favour of war with Iraq."

"It is welcome that following Michael Wills' resignation from the government he will be campaigning against the Common Agricultural Policy and for Trade Justice. However, we shouldn't forget that Michael Wills was an enthusiastic supporter of war on Iraq, perhaps because he didn't notice that Tony Blair's pants were on fire?"

"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."

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.

"Michael Wills MP [Labour, Swindon North], a Home Office Minister and close ally of Gordon Brown, resigned on Friday, pledging that he wants to devote time to campaigning for trade justice from the back benches."

Andy Newman, Secretary of Swindon Stop the War Coalition writes to Julia Drown about the situation in Afghanistan

Report from Swindon STWC delegates to the conference held in London on 21st June 2003

"ANTI-WAR protesters draped a banner over a major road into Swindon at the weekend. Members of the Swindon Stop The War Coalition posted the flag above the southbound carriageway of the A419 at a bridge near Cricklade. The banner read "Say No to Bush and Blair's War on Iraq". And they set up a peace camp on a grass verge next to the bridge for four hours on Saturday afternoon before being moved on by Gloucestershire Police."

MARCH 28: HUNDREDS of Wiltshire peace protesters have taken part in demonstrations against the war in Iraq. Members of anti war coalition groups and schoolchildren were just some of the people voicing their concerns about the conflict. Protesters have been incensed by the bombing tactics used by British and American troops and have been parading banners with anti war slogans.

"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."

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. "

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

"PEACE protesters gathered in Swindon to demonstrate against conflict in Iraq. Around 100 campaigners held placards and banners, which declared the war unjust and illegal, and rallied support among shoppers and office workers on their lunch breaks. The protesters, small in number, but loud in voice, handed out leaflets and talked to those who cared to stop, about their reasons for taking a non-violent stance against the war."

"ANTI-War protesters stormed into Swindon's Civic Offices for a two-hour sit-in. On Thursday evening, a group of 75 people from the anti-war coalition occupied the main council chamber to mark their opposition to the war in Iraq. Secretary of the Swindon branch of the organisation, Andy Newman said: "We wanted to do something that showed we were serious about opposing the war."

"AS the prospect of war comes closer, people from across north Wiltshire have been flocking to join a Chippenham anti-war group. Chippenham's branch of the Stop The War coalition warned it will protest if hostilities start. It vowed to work for a peaceful conclusion to the crisis if conflict does break out."

"AS the country yesterday prepared to go to war, soldier's daughter Kimball Lacey led a protest of pupils calling for a halt to hostilities. About 300 students at Lavington School - half of its pupils - took part in a peaceful protest on its playing field. They sat down on the field to portray the CND peace symbol and some displayed posters calling for peace."

"STUDENTS at St John's School, Marlborough defied teachers to take an unauthorised break for an anti-war demonstration on Tuesday. The pupils were part of a growing movement by young people to speak out about the Iraq situation."

"Demonstrations are due to be held in Swindon today, at 1pm and 6pm at the Cenotaph in Regent Circus. Dozens gathered at the Cenotaph in Regent Circus to hold a vigil for peace yesterday. And students at New College held a party for peace outside the campus at Walcot."

"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."

"PEACE campaigners are holding an open meeting to decide how Swindon will respond should war break out. Swindon Stop the War Coalition will host the meeting at the Friends Meeting House in Eastcott Hill at 7.30pm tomorrow. Secretary Andy Newman said: "People will want to protest in many ways.""

"It was standing room only in the Steam Museum's lecture theatre as upwards of 200 people representing all sides of the debate crammed in to hear the town's two Labour MPs justify their support for an attack on Iraq. The [swindon stop the war] coalition had challenged the two MPs to a debate so that people could have both a pro and anti-war response, but this request was refused by the MPs."

""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. "

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

"PRAYERS for a peaceful resolution to the potential conflict in Iraq were said in a Cricklade Church. Cricklade United Church in Calcutt Street was open between 2.30pm and 7.30pm last night. There was also an opportunity for people to listen the views of others and voice personal opinions at the end of the silent vigil. The Rev Sidney Hinks from Malmesbury and Andy Newman from the Swindon Stop the War Coalition attended and spoke at the event."

"ANTI-WAR protestors in Swindon have promised direct action and road blocks if war is declared on Iraq. And they have urged people to leave their workplace and join them for an "angry" protest at the cenotaph on the day war is declared. But they do not plan to go as far as the protestors who stormed RAF Fairford on Sunday afternoon."

"THE organiser of the Swindon Stop the War Coalition says Saturday's demonstration could herald a new age of democracy. Andy Newman, secretary of the group, said that, despite low election turnouts, the Stop the War march in London proved people still care about democracy. "People are interesting in having their say but they are not interested in voting. People will have to start thinking about how we address that," said Mr Newman."

"IT HAS never been seen before and may never be seen again. Estimates for the number of people on the Stop the War March in London on Saturday, ranged from 750,000 to two million. More than 300 people from Swindon travelled in six coaches organised by the Swindon Stop the War Coalition and others made their way by car or train."

"ANTI-WAR protesters gathered for a banner making workshop at Lower Shaw Farm ahead of Saturday's mass protest in London. Just over a dozen people turned out to make banners. Organiser Anna Hirsch-Holland explained: "Most people at the workshop are going on the march.""

"HUNDREDS of anti-war protesters packed a Swindon hall to voice their concern over the possibility of war with Iraq. Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn arrived in town especially to address the 200-strong audience at the Pilgrim Centre in Regent Circus. He received a standing ovation when he spoke out against Tony Blair and condemned warfare at last night's meeting. The MP for Islington urged protesters to attend a peace rally in Hyde Park on February 15 to help make it the biggest the country has ever seen. He had replaced controversial Labour MP George Galloway who was originally due to speak at the meeting."

"PEACE campaigners in Swindon have enlisted the help of a rebel Labour MP to drum up support for their campaign against a possible war on Iraq. Swindon's Stop the War Coalition has invited anti-war campaigner George Galloway to address a public meeting in the town, after the UN voted unanimously to adopt a resolution approving tough new conditions for weapons inspections in Iraq."

"ANTI-WAR protesters from Swindon packed two coaches to join the Don't Attack Iraq demonstration in London's Hyde Park. More than 100 people, including parents with children, religious leaders, members of socialist political groups and teenagers, waited outside Swindon College with placards in hand for their transport."