Yorkshire CND News
Posted: 11th April 2025
A VR set from Hiroshima, a Threads remake & an upcoming peace camp!
Hello readers and supporters of the Yorkshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament!
With only a few more days to go until the Lakenheath Peace Camp begins, we encourage you to read on for more context on why we encourage you to get involved and take action!
This edition of the YCND newsleter includes local news, national/regional/international news, and information on upcoming events.
News
We tried out the VR headset by Hiroshima City’s Peace Promotion Division!
On 2nd April we attended a fantastic, important, and insightful conference at Keele University. This included a powerful Virtual Reality project of the US bombing of Hiroshima (currently on loan from the Hiroshima City’s Peace Promotion Division until early May).
Thanks to the insightful speaker: Maria Aantonieta Jáquez Huacuja, Franco Castro Escobar, and David Ellwood.
If you are interested in accessing the VR headset whilst it’s in the UK, please get in touch: info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk
Our student intern attended the Student / Young Pugwash conference in London
On 15th March, Jake went to the annual Pugwash conference in London.
He told us that it was great to meet so many other young people who were passionate about a more peaceful world, and there were some great panels.
If anyone would like to learn more about the event, please get in touch: Jake@yorkshirecnd.org.u
A Threads remake is in the works!
Warp Films, the maker of worldwide hit TV show Adolescence, is to develop a series based on 1980s nuclear war film Threads.
The Sheffield-based firm plans to turn the 1984 movie, which tracks the aftermath of an attack on the city, into a TV series.
With the recent release and acclaim of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, Denis Villeneuve’s own upcoming plans to adapt Anni Jacobsen’s terrifying Nuclear War: A Scenario into a feature, James Cameron’s Last Train From Hiroshima film on the horizon, and the current political climate bringing nuclear anxiety back to the foreground of the public consciousness, to call a remake of Threads timely would be something of an understatement
A new age of nuclear proliferation is here. What can we do about it?
Becky Alexis-Martin writes on how the rules-based order is collapsing, Europe is worried and, all of a sudden, nuclear proliferation and a new arms race is very much on the cards again.
Quakers hold meeting for worship at Scotland Yard
The meeting, held in the wake of the police raid on Westminster Meeting House, was organised by Quaker Support for Climate Action to “uphold our worshipping community and support all who speak up for truth and integrity in the face of increasing state oppression.”
The raid, carried out by Metropolitan Police officers, involved breaking into a place of worship to arrest six people discussing climate action and peace in Gaza
The government’s decision to increase military spending by £2.2 billion from April, will see a total increase of £5.1bn on war and nuclear weapons since the Autumn Statement in October 2024. This puts military spending at 2.36% of GDP
‘Never forget’: Pacific countries remember nuclear test legacy as weapons ban treaty debated
A nuclear reactor at the site in Cumbria caught fire on 10 October 1957 and burned for three days, releasing radioactive material into the atmosphere.
Many details of the event were kept quiet for decades, and it is far less famous than some of the more recent examples.
But a new video game has brought the disaster, and the area where it happened, back into the spotlight.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Lakenheath Peace Camp
(14th April – 26th April)
There will be a variety of events, including vigils and a blockade.
Some suggestions of when to go:
Wednesday 16th April
The Political and Protest Choirs and Singers Day
(STILL SPACES IN THE COACH FROM SHEFFIELD!)
Monday 21st April
The War Crimes and Genocide Day
(alternative protest camp at Menwith Hill on the same day, see below for more details)
Saturday 26th April
For the final day of the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace peace camp, join the blockade at the main gate of the Lakenheath base at 12 noon!
Commonweal nonviolent direct action monthly reading group
(17th April, 2-4pm @ The Peace Museum, Victoria Road, Saltaire, Shipley, BD18 3LA)
Join Commonweal at the Peace Museum to consider how writers over the decades have assessed the success, failures and potential of nonviolent direct action. They are looking for 10 participants for a Commonweal Reading Group.
There are also other planned dates for reading groups, such as:
15th May & 19th June
GDAMS 2025
(10th April – 9th May)
The Global Day of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS) has been taking place across the world since 2011, to coincide with the release of the SIPRI figures on world wide military spending. The new figures are a media opportunity and by joining together with groups across the world we’re better able to amplify this vital issue in the public consciousness. Since 2017 the event has been expanded to Days of Action to cover a number of other important dates for the campaign messaging such as Tax Day in the US.
Talking About The Fire
(17th May, 7:30pm)
From the team that created the award-winning Status and Confirmation, comes a show about a new nuclear weapons treaty – one that’s trying to give the power to eliminate nuclear weapons to the states, and people, who don’t possess them. It’s a show and a conversation. We’ll talk about where we are, where we live, and why it’s important people like us talk about this at all.
Created by seven-time Fringe First winner Chris Thorpe and Claire O’Reilly (Abbey Theatre) and developed with Tony Award-winning Rachel Chavkin.
Paul Rogers talk on Climate
(16th April, 5pm @ Bradford’s Climate Emergency Garden, City Park, BD1)
Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, will be speaking at Bradford’s Climate Emergency Garden to share his understanding on climate collapse, conflict and solutions.
Atomic Cabaret
(May-August 2025)
Lynda Williams, the Physics Chanteuse, Returns to the Stage with a New Show… Atomic Cabaret!
Lynda Williams, the Physics Chanteuse, returns to the stage with her new one-woman science-political musical, Atomic Cabaret. This bold and radical show combines science, satire, and song to explore the existential risks of the nuclear age, from Trinity to Trident. With video projections of scientific visualizations and archival footage, and original music and songs, Atomic Cabaret offers a powerful and immersive experience that brings complex scientific ideas to life while addressing the urgent need for nuclear disarmament and global peace. Each performance on the 2025 European tour will be a benefit for local chapters of CND, supporting their ongoing work for peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons.
Dates in Leeds & York!
WEEKLY EVENING DEMOS AT MENWITH HILL
(TUESDAYS @ 6-7:30pm)
There is a peaceful witness, demonstration and protest outside the Main Gate entrance to the American base at Menwith Hill every Tuesday evening (6 – 7.30 pm). This demonstration has been going almost every week since July 2000.
Please note that there are many bright lights inside the gate now which can be seen for miles; no lighting outside for protesters as there was before.
Wear some warm water proof clothing and bring a high viz vest to keep you warm, dry and safe during the protest.
Please contact Sarah if you’re thinking of coming up: sswift64@gmail.com / 01765 60092
The Yorkshire CND office is closed until late April 2025, due to the office building being redecorated. In the meantime, staff are working remotely and our phoneline is not working. If you have any news to report or you need help – be it getting on a webinar, organising a zoom call or calling an action – contact: info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk.
Stay Safe. Be kind to yourself and to others. Solidarity from all at Yorkshire CND!