IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE CAMPAIGN The Journal of the BNTVA Registered Charity Number 1131134 TM
Dawn of a new Era
NCCF Aged Veterans Fund funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds
£2.99 where sold Spring 2016
©ileana_bt / Shutterstock.com 2 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
TM Formal Notice: BNTVA Annual General Meeting May 21st 2016
The AGM of the BNTVA will take place at Stoke Rochford Hall Grantham NG33 5EJ commencing at 11.00 hrs.
Any motions should be submitted in writing to the Secretary Bob Ireland c/o 91 Stonehill, Castle Donington, Derbyshire DE74 2LZ by Monday 2nd May 2016. Motions must be proposed and seconded by full members of the BNTVA in writing, fully signed with membership numbers. The proposer should be in attendance at the AGM to present the motion,
If the proposer fails to attend the motion will not be considered. (At the discretion of the BNTVA Chair an open forum may be held to discuss relevant matters during the event subject to the established convention that discussions are not binding motions and are remitted to the Board of Trustees for consideration).
Formal Notice: Fallout Group Annual General Meeting May 22nd 2016
The AGM of the Fallout Group will take place at Stoke Rochford Hall Grantham NG33 5EJ commencing at 10.00 hrs. Any motions should be submitted in writing to the Fallout Group c/o 91 Stonehill, Castle Donington, Derbyshire DE74 2LZ by Monday 2nd May 2016. Motions must be proposed and seconded by Fallout Group members in writing. The proposer should be in attendance at the AGM to present the motion, If the proposer fails to attend the motion will not be considered. (At the discretion of the Fallout Committee an open forum may be held to discuss relevant issues during the event)
BNTVA Fallout Descendents Group Supporting the work of the BNTVA Charity CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 3
The Chaplain writes
An Easter Message from the Chaplain
A prayer in the Funeral Service in the old Book of Common Prayer, says ‘In the midst of life we are in death’. Those who have suffered the pain of bereavement, and that means most of us one way or another, will understand the truth behind those ancient words.
I recently conducted the burial But since we’re Christians, we believe of an old friend in the beautiful That we new bodies will receive churchyard at Itchenor in To clothe our souls for us to meet West Sussex. The experience Our Maker at his Judgement Seat. reminded me of a poem, And this belief’s a gift of faith called simply Churchyard, by And, if it’s true, no end is death. John Betjeman. After talking Mid-Lent is past and Easter’s near about the ancient church, the The greatest day of all the year memorials and the gravestones, When Jesus, who indeed had died, the poem changes mood, as Rose with his body glorified. Betjeman expresses his own And if you find believing hard deep Christian faith. I hope The primroses in your churchyard that all our readers, whether And modern science too will show Christian or not, will be as That all things change the while they grow, moved as I am by these words: And we, who change in Time will be Still more changed in Eternity.
A very Happy Easter to all, 4 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
Have you made your booking for the BNTVA Fallout Conference Weekend?
Bookings for the Conference must be made by the 15th April 2016 when the booking list will close. Please use the booking form included with this magazine.
If you intend to come for the day, Dress. Since then we have been buffet lunch will £6 (payable on the contacted asking what “Fancy Dress” day). To help with catering please let means. The main rule is that it will Jeff Liddiatt know at be informal, fancy dress if you like, [email protected] there will be a prize for the best costume or just come in what you feel The Conference hosts the BNTVA comfortable in, it’s your chance to AGM, Nuclear Community have a change away from the clothes Presentations, Gala Dinner and the worn for the formal part of the day. Fallout Group AGM, all within a truly superb setting. There is so much to learn and so much to share this year Don’t forget the raffle we want to make this Conference the Please bring your contributions most successful yet. for the raffle, lets make this years raffle a big one! In the last magazine it was announced that the Gala Dinner would be Fancy CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 5
Directions to Stoke Rochford Hall
Travelling by car - A1 from the south We are situated on the left, two and a half miles north of the A151 junction at Colsterworth. The village of Stoke Rochford is signposted from the A1. Having left the A1, after a quarter of a mile turn right into the Stoke Rochford Hall grounds and follow the road up to the Hall.
Travelling by car - A1 from the north We are on the right, two miles south of the village of Great Ponton. Do not use the cut through across the A1 as it is a very dangerous junction. Proceed past to the A151 Junction and head over the flyover and return north for easier access. The village of Stoke Rochford is signposted from the A1. Having left the A1, after a quarter of a mile turn right into the Stoke Rochford Hall grounds and follow the road up to the Hall.
Sat Navs Please use NG33 5EB, be aware that our postcode will direct you to Stoke Rochford village, but not to the Hall itself!
Travelling by train Grantham’s mainline station is a fifteen minute taxi ride from the Hall, with an hourly service between London Kings Cross and Leeds, as well as cross-country services from Liverpool and Nottingham to Norwich. We can arrange for a taxi to meet you at the station for a small charge.
Travelling by air The nearest regional airports are East Midlands, Stansted and Doncaster. To make your journey as easy as possible we can arrange transport for you from the airport to Stoke Rochford Hall for an additional charge – just ask.
Stoke Rochford, Nr Grantham, Lincolnshire NG33 5EJ Tel: 01476 530337 Fax: 01476 530534 Email: [email protected] www.stokerochfordhall.co.uk 6 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
Chairman’s message
I have been involved with the BNTVA for about 30 years. As all of you know I have held various positions within Association and latterly within the Charity. I write this message as Chairman for the first time. It has been a very busy over the past three or four years with meetings, with the Government at No 10, the Cabinet Office and the Treasury.
All working towards the setting up of This really is a huge turning point for the Aged Veterans Fund £25 million our organisation and the £1million over five years, money allocated by funding we have received this year the Chancellor from LIBOR funds. On will be joined by much more in 2017. the 10 th February I received an email telling me that the BNTVA application We will also have exclusive had been successful and we were presentations on the phase II projects awarded our first grant. and you will be able to input to the direction of these projects. The first round of projects start in April this year, whilst some details are in the magazine, the full Portfolio launch will be presented during the 2016 Conference at Stoke Rochford Hall 20 -22 May. (Booking and Venue details on other pages of the magazine).
I am hoping for a large turn out of members and supporters to hear the wonderful news about our Portfolio, we will be having special sessions with the individual project teams and you will be able to learn how you can take part and benefit.
Jeff Liddiatt - BNTVA Chairman CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 7
Aged Veterans Fund Update
We promised to keep you all up to date with developments on the aged veterans fund. The BNTVA received a formal offer in respect of the bids we had developed to run projects from Libor funds made by the Chancellor under the aged veteran fund budgetary provision.
We achieved full funding across all projects within the portfolio we submitted and are happy to share with you all details of the groundbreaking projects we will be delivering for the nuclear community during the next 12 months
Cytogenetic research within the British Nuclear Community Dr Rhona Anderson and the Brunel University will be conducting a cytogenetic assessment within the British nuclear community. Despite absurd claims from a minority group of malcontents, we can confirm that it most certainly is the BNTVA alone, through its recognition campaign that has made this research possible. We can also confirm that this research was scientifically impossible A full presentation on this project until very recently despite the false will be given at the BNTVA / Fallout assertions made by that same group. Group Conference weekend in May. Members of the research team will The results of this research will be on hand to tell you all about this educate and inform members of the exciting cutting edge research project entire nuclear community. and answer your questions at Stoke Rochford Hall. 8 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
Nuclear Community Nuclear Families Project Psychiatric Program Becky Martin, who has also written a The miles green health audit of piece in the magazine concentrating British nuclear test veterans revealed in the Fallout Group, is heading up the a significant portion of veterans Nuclear Families Research Project suffered from mental health issues. from Southampton University. Using money from the AVF we have This project will examine and been able to provide a psychiatric document the nuclear community care program for the entire nuclear relationships and dynamics community. The psychosocial experiences of Working with Combat Stress an the families within the UK nuclear assessment of mental health issues community are currently presented as within our community will be made. anecdotal evidence. There has been A treatment program will then be no specific large-scale investigation devised and delivered. This initial of their lives, and it is therefore phase will last for 12 months. We fully impossible to identify whether there intend to seek funding to extend the has been an impact upon this cohort. program throughout the full 5 years of This portfolio will provide new and the AVF provision. significant insights into the life-long consequences of being related to a We also hope that the publication of nuclear test veteran. successful diagnosis and treatment methodologies may be adapted and Currently, there no previous academic used to the benefit of the international studies of the experiences of the nuclear community. families of UK nuclear test veterans. The only existing directly relevant More information on this project literature features a USA cohort, and will be available at Stoke Rochford was produced by Murphy et.al (1990). where you will also have the exclusive “Atomic veterans and their families: advance opportunity to register your Responses to radiation exposure”, interest in becoming a beneficiary of which was published within the the scheme. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. However, the culture and society of UK and USA nuclear test veterans is not directly comparable, and the research produced by this article is over 25 years old. CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 9
Modes of society have changed drastically since then as we have entered the age of digital technology. This is evidenced by the presence and use of online social media support groups for veterans and their families, which is one of many research themes without any current academic underpinnings that this project will investigate and contextualise.
This work will not just address an academic void it will also fill a knowledge gap within public and Using funding from the AVF we are social service provision, across the working with the masons who crafted UK. Understanding the lives and our memorial at the National experiences of the families of nuclear Memorial Arboretum to add two test veterans will help to inform the semicircular benches to replace the direction of strategies for future wooden ones which had to be removed support. Once completed, a service- because they were going rotten. directed report from this project will be provided nationally, to help to inform A special design of the bench legs will the strategies of Local Councils, NHS display a carving of the BNTVA crest services, counselling and social care and allow for the brass dedication services, elderly care services, and plaques from the old benches to be re- other relevant organisations. This mounted along with the opportunity to study could therefore pioneer our have additional dedications mounted in understanding and future care of the the future. nuclear community for generations to come. Once the new benches are installed we will hold a rededication service on the following NAVAD. Nuclear Community Remembrance Project We are working on further projects phase One under the remembrance banner a presentation and consultation Remembrance is a very important session, where you will be able to element of increasing wellbeing within raise and influence further project a community and ours is no exception. bid developments, will be held at Conference. 10 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
Nuclear Community Care The full details of this project will and Wellbeing Fund be presented to Conference where members will have the opportunity to In financial terms this is one of the register their interest in becoming a smaller projects in this year’s portfolio potential beneficiary. however over the next five years this will grow to become the major fund as It must be stressed that there are no once the key research projects have ‘cash’ handouts and that any goods completed then the focus will shift or services provided are only for UK to addressing the issues from that based beneficiaries of the BNTVA research in a structured, informed Charity ie the members of the British manner. Nuclear Community of Nuclear Test Veterans, their spouses and offspring This year we have around one hundred (of any subsequent generation), this thousand pounds to purchase living also includes widows and offspring of adaptations to ease suffering increase deceased veterans. wellbeing and increase social integration. The major condition of Goods and Services that are available grant is that we cannot just award cash from state provision can not be payments to individuals. provided under this scheme, the provision must be ‘in addition’ to what There will be four grant award events is available. A clear case that the during the coming year where cases beneficiary could not fund the goods will be considered for provision. The or services from their own means application process is currently being without suffering hardship and that the refined to balance the need to obtain provision is delivered on a best value an accurate picture of a potential for money basis must be made for the beneficiaries needs balanced against board to consider grant. their resources without being overly intrusive.
These findings will be measured against the costs of supplying the goods and services identified as addressing their needs and a case prepared for consideration by the NCCF grant award committee. The provision of goods and services for successful cases will be delivered and managed by our contractor. CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 11
The Nuclear Community Charity Fund making that difference
The BNTVA Board of Trustees decided that they would create a specific body to deliver the AVF Portfolio of projects.
The NCCF is constituted from Bookkeeping functions and will representatives of the BNTVA along commence provision by 1st with members recruited for their April 2016. specific abilities. They are responsible to both the BNTVA and the Aged BH Associates are also coordinating Veterans Fund for delivering the and developing the projects for the projects within our Portfolio. The next round of AVF provision for which NCCF is a voluntary activity and will they will also write the portfolio bid meet a limited number of times a year documentation. to review project progress. A sub- committee of the NCCF will also meet Find all about the projects and about four times a year to consider activities of the NCCF by visiting applications for support from the Care thenccf.org and Wellbeing Project.
Day to day management of the Portfolio is contracted to BH Associates. The requirement to engage a professional management organisation was advised by the AVF to manage the projects. Our decision to engage BH Associates was a key factor in us gaining the funding. This engagement is now part of the condition of grant. The further benefit of this to the BNTVA is that BH Associates have developed the capability of managing all our Communications, Membership and 12 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
Welfare Reform and Work Bill Situation & Petition
This significant piece of legislation is now sliding inexorably toward the statute books and regardless of your individual political views there is one sobering fact: This legislation will impact on the Nuclear Community.
From our ‘SnapShot Survey’ we We sincerely hope that this petition found that over a quarter of Nuclear gives the government the incentive to Test Veteran offspring suffered from review the proposed cuts, indeed as Congenital Defects or Serious Illness. we compile this article there seems Many of these people are forced to to be a huge U-Turn happening seek benefit support out of necessity within the government and a rising resulting from conditions we believe opposition within the Conservative are a consequence of nuclear testing. party to the blanket imposition of the measures directed against the If this measure is introduced disabled benefits. then some of the most vulnerable members of our Nuclear Community This does not mean that all is good. will be exposed to a cut in their social Signing the petition will send a loud support of over £1500pa. These and clear message to the Government people are not some ‘nameless that they got it wrong in this instance scroungers’ that so often feature in and should not attempt to attack the ill informed articles of the popular them again in the future. press. These people are the Sons, Daughters and Grandchildren of the men you served with.
The first thing that you can do is go to the .gov website and sign the petition. This takes two minutes of your time, just type http://bit.ly/bntvaesa in to your browser and you can access the page directly. CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 13
NCCF Support - Care and Some of the guides available through Wellbeing Fund the BNTVA are: Because the potential cuts represent a withdrawing of state provision then any purchases that would have been made using this lost support by members of the Nuclear Community who can demonstrate hardship (to be fair anyone receiving social support in the nuclear community will be in hardship), would be eligible to claim for consideration of support under the Nuclear Community Care and Wellbeing Fund. ESA • Employment and Support Allowance This fund is specifically to ease claims & Appeals suffering and increase wellbeing amongst our community. As stated PIP elsewhere in this magazine we can • Personal Independence Payment not give out cash amounts but we will claims and medicals purchase goods and services on behalf of the beneficiaries. • DWP Personal Independence Payment resources Even More Help to Fight DLA Your Corner • Disability Living Allowance claims For some time now the BNTVA have • Disability Living Allowance medicals funded access to the excellent guides and information products • Disability Living Allowance appeals published to members only on the • Disability Living Allowance renewals Benefits and Work website and changes of circumstances www.benefitsandwork.co.uk • DLA Briefs - Useful sample letters You can request any of these and emails relating to Disability documents on email from Living Allowance Shelly - [email protected] or Jeff [email protected] Attendance Allowance The BNTVA fund this service for BNTVA • Attendance allowance claims & Fallout Members plus ALL members of the UK Nuclear Community. 14 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
Nuclear Community Charity Fund Future Projects Current State of Play
The Aged Veterans Fund provision is not just a one year, one bid provision. The Chancellor has set aside funding over at least five years, in fact the first year of funding of £5million was in addition to the original budgetary provision of £25 million.
This and the desire of the treasury to so well put together they have been engage a number of organisations in adopted by us [the AVF Board] as a running projects under the scheme benchmark for all other Portfolios” was why Portfolios were initially capped at £1 million. Plans for the Next Round
We are now moving into uncharted BH Associates are already well into the territory, we do not know how much development of the next stages of our or for how long the projects we will Portfolio for the Nuclear Community. be bidding for will run. We do know They have separated key projects into that significant sums will be on the major ‘Strand’ areas: Remembrance, table and that the BNTVA is the front Care & Wellbeing and Respite to name running organisation of the provision. a few. Within these ‘Strand’ areas individual projects are being developed The AVF panel have commended the for delivery to our nuclear community. BNTVA for establishing the NCCF and contracting a professional Under the Remembrance Strand we management organisation to oversee are looking to refurbish all the NTV project delivery across the Portfolio, memorials in the UK, adding a QR infact the Chairman has been invited code plaque wherever possible that to the AVF Phase II launch, not to find will link directly to an interactive online how we will be bidding for our next set museum portal telling visitors about of projects but to share the approach the memorials, the people behind that the BNTVA took along with BH them and their experiences. This will Associates in developing and securing engage members of our community the funding from year one. To quote and introducing a whole new group of “The structure being put in place and people to sharing our heritage. the content of the bid proposals were CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 15
A project is to provide transport and Scientific and Medical Information accommodation to members of the into one location, much of this Nuclear Community to enable them information which will be provided to attend memorials, events and from our funded research projects. services relating to their community Members of the Nuclear Community, that they would otherwise be unable Medical practitioners, Social provision to visit because of impaired health or specialists, Academics and People the travel issues is also being developed. world over will be able to access the information and findings. We want to digitise the entire BNTVA archive and turn it into a living These and many other projects will resource on the internet for the be developed and brought under our Nuclear Community both in the UK Portfolio for successive bid periods. and Internationally. A full presentation on the Nuclear An educational package will be Community Charity Fund and updates produced to link into the National on project development including the Curriculum Citizenship Studies and ability for you to contribute to and also to facilitate the giving of talks register your interests will be made to and presentations to all kinds of the Annual Conference. groups.
We will seek funding to create a new regular magazine for the nuclear community. We will increase the NCCF monies available under the Care and Aged Veterans Fund Wellbeing Fund into the millions. funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds
We are negotiating funded respite care places at a number of establishments and developing a discounted holiday and theme park scheme. These schemes will be available to all members of our nuclear community.
We are also in discussion to create a centre of excellence within a premier UK university, that also has excellent international ties. Drawing Social, 16 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
BNTVA Contact Details Registered Charity Number 1131134
This is the only correspondence address and telephone number for the Association.
BNTVA, BM 5657, Chairman LONDON, WC1N 3XX Jeff Liddiatt Email: 24 Hour Call Back Service [email protected] 0208 144 3080 Tel: 0208 144 3080 www.bntva.com Mob: 07523 0457 05
Organisation Manager Financial Manager Robert Ireland Ian Greenhalgh LLB Email: [email protected] [email protected] Email [email protected]
Membership Services Supporters Ian Hall Group & Branch Communications Email: [email protected] [email protected] Doug Hern Email: [email protected]
Remembrance Maralinga Veterans Co-ordinator Coordinator Don James Fred Stellard
Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 17
Reunion Organisation Merchandising Liaison Ian Hall & Sandie Hern Sandie Hern Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Fallout Fallout Descendents Group Descendents Group Shelly Grigg Steve Clifford
Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected]
Legal Advisor Association Chaplain to the Board The Very Revd Tony Jeffrey Nicholas Frayling BA, LLD Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected]
Trustee Trustee Alan Owen Susan Musselwhite
Email: Email: a.owen @bntva.com [email protected]
Appointed Persons and Honourables Parliamentary Patron Honourary Editor John Baron Steve Bexon Member of Parliament Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] 18 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
Marshall Islanders Take World nuclear Powers to the International Court of Justice Over Failures on Nuclear Weapon Proliferation
In 2014, the Marshall Islands — a Pacific Ocean territory with 72,000 people — accused nine countries of “not fulfilling their obligations with respect to the cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament.”
They included China, Britain, France, race, the nine countries continued to India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, breach their obligations under the Russia, and the United States. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) — even if the treaty has not The Marshall Islands maintained that been by signed by countries such as by not stopping the nuclear arms India and Pakistan. CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 19
But the court only admitted three “The Marshall Islands wants a moral cases: Britain, India and Pakistan and judicial pronouncement that can because of all the nuclear powers strengthen their political campaign they are the only nations to recognise against nuclear weapons,” said Lyal the authority of the International S. Sunga, who heads The Hague Court of Justice, a fact which raises Institute for Global Justice think- questions in its own right. tank’s Rule of Law program.
Why the Marshall Islands? “It’s very interesting because international law, as part of a range of The Marshall Islands decided to sue diplomatic and political tools, can be the world’s nuclear heavyweights used to lend weight to the argument as “it has a particular awareness of that nuclear testing is very dangerous the dire consequences of nuclear and harmful not only for the Marshall weapons,” it said. Islands, but for the whole world,” he told AFP. Between 1946 and 1958 the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests The 15-megaton test on March 1, in the Marshall Islands, Majuro’s 1954, was part of the intense Cold representatives said in papers filed War nuclear arms race and 1,000 in court. times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. While also focusing on the threat of global warming causing the world’s Bikini Islanders have lived in exile oceans to rise, the Marshall Islands since they were moved for the first “have come to realise that it cannot weapons tests in 1946. ignore the other major threat to its survival: the ongoing threat posed When US government scientists by the existence of large arsenals of declared Bikini safe for resettlement, nuclear weapons.” some residents were allowed to return in the early 1970s. In March 2014, the Marshall Islands marked 60 years since the devastating But they were removed again in 1978 hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll, after ingesting high levels of radiation that vapourised an island and exposed from eating local foods grown on the thousands in the surrounding area to former test site. radioactive fallout. Now the Marshall Islands aims to shine a new spotlight on the nuclear threat. 20 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
Before The Courts Mr. de Brum again asked the Court “to adjudge and declare that the The case went before the Court has jurisdiction over the claims International Court of Justice in of the Marshall Islands submitted in march and writing on the last day its Application of 24 April 2014; and to of the hearing Tony de Brum, Co- adjudge and declare that the Marshall Agent and former Foreign Minister Islands’ claims are admissible.” of the Marshall Islands, concluded today’s arguments against the United Kingdom. He said, “The Case in the Judges Hands States possessing nuclear weapons The 15 judges of the ICJ, along with that joined the NPT made a legally judge-ad-hoc Mohammed Bedjaoui, binding promise, in accordance with will now deliberate on jurisdiction the goals they expressly adopted and admissibility issues raised in the in the NPT Preamble, to pursue in written and oral pleadings. The Court good faith negotiations leading to will announce its decisions in a public nuclear disarmament and cessation sitting at a date to be announced. of the nuclear arms race, pursuant to Article VI. The dispute in this case is over whether the UK is in breach of that bargained-for, legal obligation.”
He continued, “At the end of the day, the UK position boils down to an assertion that the RMI has no legally enforceable rights under NPT Article VI. If that were true, the Strategic Bargain of the NPT is illusory.” The strategic bargain to which Mr. de Brum referred is, at its core, that NPT signatories that possess nuclear weapons promise to negotiate the elimination of all nuclear weapons in exchange for non-nuclear-armed signatories agreeing never to acquire such weapons.
The International Court of Justice, Holland © Ankor Light CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 21
United Nations Consultative Status
On the 17th February 2016 the BNTVA received notification from the United Nations regarding our application for Consultative Status.
The BNTVA was recognised by recommend Special Consultative the United Nations as a Non- Status within the Economic and Social Governmental Organisation a number Council to your organisation. of years ago and we had entered the assessment process to try and This is a landmark event representing achieve consultative status at the not just international recognition but beginning of 2015. also the accreditation of the BNTVA with Special Consultative Status “We are pleased to inform you that means that we will be better placed the Committee on Non-Governmental to share our experiences and the Organisations at its 2016 Regular results of research with the world Session, held from 25 January community. to 3 February 2016, decided to
United Nations Building - New York © Drop of Light 22 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
Help 5 Indigenous leaders and artists gift the first Australian sculpture to Nagasaki Peace Park
Yalata Anangu Aboriginal community needs our help to send 5 Indigenous leaders and artists to Japan to gift the first Australian sculpture to Nagasaki Peace Park in April. Join us in this unique international peace project, in recognition of atomic survivor communities.
In April 2016 a delegation from several remote Aboriginal communities in South Australia has been invited to Nagasaki to gift the first Australian sculpture to the internationally renowned Nagasaki Peace Park. In recognition of atomic survivor communities worldwide, the sculpture has been designed in Yalata (remote South Australia), an Anangu Aboriginal community affected by The artists tell the story of this British-led atomic testing in Australia, significant peace-gift in this and is a peace gift from one atomic 3 min video: survivor community to another. To www.chuffed.org/project/giftforpeace date, there is no Australian presence in Japan’s internationally renowned The money raised will cover the peace park. travel costs for a 7-day cultural tour involving official representation The communities need our help to for the Nagasaki City ceremony on enable an Anangu delegation to take April 18th and a program of cultural their Indigenous gift to Nagasaki, exchange with Japanese Hibakusha and to share their stories on an (atomic survivors) in Nagasaki and international stage. Hiroshima. CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 23
The sculpture is being gifted by the Indigenous Anangu communities of Yalata and Oak Valley/Maralinga (South Australia), Mayors for Peace (WA), and the Cities of Fremantle, Cockburn and Subiaco (Western Australia). It is linked with the recent 70-year commemorations of the atomic bombings in Japan, and is part of a community arts and cultural development project funded by the Australia Council for the Arts with remote Indigenous communities in South Australia whose recent history relates to the British nuclear tests.
Please donate at: www.chuffed.org/project/giftforpeace and share this link with your networks. More information: [email protected] or +61 (0)422 178 739
Donations are tax-deductible and can be linked to a range of rewards such as original Indigenous artworks.
Together we can make this happen. 24 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
The digital significance of Fallout: Somewhere between online support, and real-world change…
I’ve been a part of the University of Southampton Population, Health and Wellbeing (PHeW) research group since 2012, and during this time I’ve worked up academic papers on the psychosocial effects of nuclear accidents, whilst also completing my doctorate on the spatiotemporal population modelling for radiation protection.
The central theme of our research about much-needed social change, group is the study of the health which in turn can result in real-life outcomes of different population improvements to the health and groups. In my case, my area of wellbeing of members through expertise exists in understanding the campaigning and the provision of a experiences and the health outcomes vital support network for members. of radiation emergency survivors. The strength of the online community Within PHeW we use a wide range really cannot be underestimated of research methods to improve within the digital age. I have therefore our understanding of the many and recently undertaken an interview- varied health challenges which are based study of a small cohort of faced by society, and to discern ways Fallout group members, in order to by which these challenges can be explore and document their digital overcome. Of particular interest to us experiences. is the influence of the social, built and natural environment upon population Whilst chatting to members of health. Fallout, I was struck by the strength of the interpersonal bonds that have However, I have recently been been formed between individuals expanding upon our group interests, within the group. Firm friendships to also include the important have developed and grown online, influence of the digital environment. as this unique community open up I have become aware of the ways to each other and share their own that prominent online groups, such personal experiences of being part of as Fallout and the BNTVA, can bring a nuclear test veteran family. CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 25
The Fallout group has provided a to see. This is one of the reasons virtual space where people with why I’m really looking forward to similar lived experiences can go, attending the BNTVA AGM at Stoke to discuss their families without Rochford in May, and I will be paying judgement. However, the Fallout close attention to the Fallout related group also provides an important sessions on Sunday. I really hope to support mechanism for those who are meet some of you there, and to learn in crisis and need immediate help. more about you in person. It is evident from talking to members of the group that some of the bonds Please get in touch with me at between people are due to parallel [email protected] if you’re hardships, comparable challenges in interested in becoming a future study negotiating poor health, and similar participant. difficulties in gaining the correct healthcare and support. Sometimes, it just becomes too much for even the strongest person.
In times of crisis, the Fallout group has become an important informal source of help and guidance for members. However, whilst talking to Shelly Grigg about the aims of my current digital study, it quickly became clear that there was a need for some professional guidance within the group. With Shelly’s blessing I have been able to arrange a free counselling provision within the group, which is now provided Becky Alexis-Martin for anyone who needs to talk confidentially about their experiences, by Victoria Sumner, a trained counsellor.
However, I’m still of the firm belief that the most important things in life occur when we disconnect from the internet, get out there, and start to make the changes that we want 26 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
In Response to the Frank Leeming article in our last issue
I was interested in the article re Frank Leeming in the latest Campaign magazine. Not because I knew the chap, but because of the date on the Mess Menu - 2nd April 65.
I served at Maralinga in 64/65. I was I revisited Maralinga in 2010 and with more or less the last group of stayed for a night. No Watson or service personnel to leave the camp Ooldea on the railway now. Only bits on the 30th March 65. For some of the camp left but, all the hospital, reason, I still have the ticket where I was well fed! My daughter - don’t ask! was a Paramedic at Whyalla at the time. The attached was taken not long before we all went our separate ways. Thanks and regards, Roderic Kyle Looking at the photo - I’m 4th from St Monans Fife. the left at the back, if any of the guys see it and would like to get in touch... I would be very happy to communicate.
Some of the guys were on the fencing team at the forward area with me... re-fencing some of the blast sites in 40+ degrees.
I would be very interested in finding out about John Tillman. At the back Roderic Kyle John Tillman 2nd in from the right. We had a blast Back row 4th Back row 2nd from the left from the right in Sydney for the Xmas and New Year 64/65.., Barossa Pearl wine and Aussie beer in abundance, New Year in Kings Cross! CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 27
Marilinga 1964 / 1965
In memoriam
We are sorry to have to tell you that Liz Lowe passed away on the 8th of March. Liz was the wife of our past Chairman John Lowe.
Our condolences go to John and his family. 28 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
HQS Wellington The ship Wellington was originally HMS Wellington, a town class Sloop which had the distinction ofbeing the only ship in that class to sink a German submarine.
Tuesday 23rd February 2016 saw the Once on board we joined our Merchant launch of the Merchant Navy silver coin, Navy National Chairman, Captain John especially minted to commemorate Sail, who is the driving force behind the Battle of The Atlantic, during World this project. Captain Sail is also the War II. Sandie and I attended this event, president of our local branch (Boston together with our branch Chairman & South Lincs MNA). Sandie is the Roy Glencross, branch treasurer Chief branch secretary and I hold the post of Officer RFA; John Bafico and his wife Vice Chairman. We were introduced to Margaret. Captain Ian McNaught, Deputy Master of Trinity House; Raphael Maklouf The silver for this coin had been FRSA, Chairman of the Tower Heritage salvaged from the SS Gairsoppa, a Centre; Elliot Dawson of Tower merchant vessel transporting amongst Heritage Centre and other dignitaries it’s cargo silver bullion from Calcutta to from the Tower Heritage Centre. England. Unfortunately the ship, being low on fuel left the convoy to replenish, The guest of honour was Mr. Ron and during this phase she was Quested who joined the Merchant Navy torpedoed by a Germany submarine at 17 years old, and served throughout 300 miles west of Ireland. All hands World War II as a radio officer. Ron was were lost expect for one survivor. I presented with a full coin presentation understand that she had lain on the set, which included the new Silver Coin bottom, nearly 3 miles deep until 2008, minted for this event. Captain John when the bullion was salvaged. Sail, is advertising the coins for sale on television, and they are available at HQS Wellington had been chosen for a cost of £20.00 per coin plus postage this event, because ‘The Wellington’ (only one coin per household). is The Master Mariners Association Headquarters, which is moored on the The evening was a great success and north bank of the River Thames, within before leaving the ship we were invited site of the London Eye and Waterloo to visit the Tower Mint Heritage centre Bridge. and have a tour of the Centre.
Doug Hern CAMPAIGN Spring 2016 | 29
The event was a special evening to officially donate a collection of coins developed to recognize the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets during the Battle of the Atlantic.
HMS Wellington History Livery Hall. HQS Wellington arrived at Victoria Embankment in 1948. HMS Wellington was built at Devonport Dockyard in 1934. She was one of In 1991 major refurbishment was 13 Grimsby class warships built for carried out over three months in dry- service in the Commonwealth and dock at Sheerness. In 2005 ownership Dependencies and from 1936 to 1939 was transferred to the Wellington Trust, she patrolled the waters around New a charitable trust established to ensure Zealand. the preservation of this historic ship. At the outbreak of WWII HMS Wellington was recalled to perform convoy escort duties in the Atlantic. During six years of wartime service she rescued over 450 Merchant Navy seamen and was active at Dunkirk and the North African landings. She also shared the credit for sinking a U-Boat. Shortly after the end of the war she was retired and laid up at Pembroke Dock.
The Honorable Company of Master Mariners had been looking for a livery hall since 1939. After the war the chances of building a livery hall in London were remote. In 1947 HMS Wellington was made available by the Admiralty and the Company decided to buy her and convert her to a floating 30 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
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Ways to pay your annual BNTVA membership subscription
Set out below are the methods you can use to pay your membership subscription, due 1st of April each year.
By standing order using the Membership is available for purchase personalised standing order form from the shop sent out with the Winter Edition of the magazine. UK Membership - UK Single Member £20, UK Family (partner & dependent children) £30, Overseas By using the BACS system take Single Member £30, Overseas Family your cheque or cash into any (partner & dependent children) £40 HSBC branch make out the paying in slip with the following details: If you are unable to use HSBC Bank plc any above ways to pay, 13 Parliament Street CHEQUES made out to the York YO1 8XS Sort code: 40-47-31 BNTVA only, can be sent to Account number: 64259351 the central address. Account name: British Nuclear BNTVA Test Veterans Association BM 5657 By using your own Internet Banking London account make the payment using the WC1N 3XX details above.
Have we got your correct address details? Can you please check that your correct address and postcode is shown on mailing address labels on any communications that we send to you? If we have the incorrect address (especially postcode) please contact us and let us know the correct details. See the address above for the Association’s contact details. 32 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2016
NewsDesk Mail Service
The NewsDesk publishes articles of interest to BNTVA members and supporters from a wide field of sources, The Recognition Campaign NewsDesk covers all key developments and media coverage of our campaign.
You can access these regularly Never miss an interesting story or updated features on the BNTVA important announcement again. website at www.bntva.com To receive this new free service simply News by Email – We now bring you a go to the BNTVA website and look for great new way of keeping up to date the subscribe form at the bottom with everything that is happening, of any news article. You can the News Email Service – You can unsubscribe or change your sign up for free updates of the latest preferences at any time. stories from our NewsDesks delivered straight to your email.
Campaign magazine All contributions for is published by the the magazine should BNTVA. be sent to the London address Editor: Steve Bexon. or emailed to [email protected] Next issue copy deadline 31st May 2016
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