Hello readers and supporters of the Yorkshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament!

In this edition of the newsletter we’ll be covering the latest on nuclear power, the recent TUC vote on Welfare Not Warfare, and international updates.

We also have a lot of events coming up over the next couple weeks! The Peace History Conference in Bradford, a film screening in Manchester, a Lakenheath protest, an art exhibition at the Peace Museum & events organised by local peace activists e.g. a tree planting in Horsforth’s Japanese Gardens!

If you read the entire newsletter to the end, you will also find office updates and some volunteer opportunities.

The decision by the majority of unions to back the UCU resolution Wages not Weaponsreverses policy set in 2022 in favour of increasing military spending. It commits the TUC to prioritising campaigning for public investment in Britain’s public realm, which has been devastated by austerity, and to committing to a safe and liveable planet. It states that the movement should “stand, in our best traditions, for peace and against militarisation”.

“It’s not the weapons I’m here to defend,” said Unite delegate Andrew Holland during a debate on arms spending at this year’s trade union congress. “It’s the jobs.”

The idea that unions’ support for workers can be neatly cleaved from their support for what workers produce – particularly in the case of defence and fossil fuel industry workers – has a long history in trade unionism. At the same time, members’ lives are not confined to the workplace. As we face climate catastrophe and proliferating warfare, the tension between the worker and their work – the sectional and general – is becoming increasingly untenable for organised labour.

The UK and US line up string of deals to build modular nuclear reactors in Britain

The Scottish government will focus on renewable energy not nuclear power, a government minister has said following confirmation of significant funding for nuclear power plants in England.

Scotland has an effective ban on new nuclear facilities because the SNP has a long-standing commitment to block projects through devolved planning powers.

Acting Energy Secretary Gillian Martin told BBC Scotland News they would “capitalise on renewable energy capacity” rather than “expensive new nuclear”.

Romania says a Russian drone has breached its airspace – the second Nato country to report such an incursion.

Romanian fighter jets were in the air monitoring a Russian attack in Ukraine on Saturday and were able to track the drone near Ukraine’s southern border, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the incursion could not be a mistake – it was “an obvious expansion of the war by Russia”. Moscow has not commented on the Romanian claims.

A major incident was declared by the fire service as a moorland blaze which started in the North York Moors National Park.

Twenty appliances crewed by about 100 firefighters were sent to the scene on Langdale Moor, near the ballistic missile early warning base at RAF Fylingdales, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (NYFRS) said.

Amid an era of geopolitical tension and distrust fueling unprecedented death and destruction around the world, the UN Secretary-General’s report, The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future, urges UN Member States to recalibrate security and development priorities.

“The evidence is clear: excessive military spending does not guarantee peace,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres who launched the report today. “It often undermines it – fueling arms races, deepening mistrust and diverting resources from the very foundations of stability.”

Iran is trying to pass a resolution prohibiting attacks on nuclear installations at the United Nations global nuclear watchdog as its Supreme National Security Council backed nuclear inspections after strikes by the United States and Israel during a 12-day conflict in June. 

Ishiro Honda: Memoirs of a Film Director + Q&A
(20th September, 11:30am @ Cultplex)

Ishiro Honda: Memoirs of a Film Director is a documentary that explores the life and career of prolific Japanese director Ishiro Honda, highlighting his filmography (e.g. his work on the Godzilla films), war experiences, and obsession with the atomic bomb.

Through interviews and analysis, it also delves into his friendship and collaboration with Akira Kurosawa.

The screening will include a talk from the director (Jonathan Bellés) + Q&A panel with Chris Thorpe & Jonathan Bellés

Peace History Conference
(20th September, 10:30am @ John Stanley Bell Lecture Theatre, University of Bradford, BD7 1DP)

The all-day event continues a series of Conferences that was initiated in 2007 and sponsored by the Movement for the Abolition of War (MAW). The conferences aim to help develop a culture of peace by raising awareness of individuals, movements, ideas and initiatives from all periods of history concerned with promoting peace, overcoming violence, and abolishing war. 

Sapling Planting and Tour of the Garden
(Sunday 21st September, 11:30am @ Horsfroth Japanese Gardens)

In partnership with Horsforth Town Council, The Friends of Horsforth Hall Park will be planting two donated Japanese Ginkgo Saplings.

We are pleased that Horsforth is a recent member authority of Mayors for Peace.

All are welcome!

Pins For Peace
(Saturday 27th September, 10am-4pm @ The Peace museum, Saltaire)

No ‘private view’ , no tickets, no guff. 
Free entry. Free activities. All welcome. 
Posi vibes for trying times!

This exhibition brings together contributions from what is, quite frankly, an awe inspiring collection of artists. Artists assembled from both near and far. Each adding their visual voice to a collective call for peace.

Inspired by the archives of Bradford’s own The Peace Museum, giant badges will not only adorn the walls of their gallery but also spill out into the streets. Whilst pins of a more manageable size will even be available to liven up your very own lapel.

Shipley Jumble Trail
(Saturday 11th October, 11am-3pm @ Shipley)

All stalls cost £5 (+bf). This money will be used to cover the costs of printing the publicity maps. Any leftover money will again be donated to Yorkshire CND, who have kindly agreed to host this online booking system for us.

All stalls will be included on the paper and digital Jumble Trail map, which will be used to promote the event, so please include as much stall information as possible! Following the success of the first Jumble Trail last year, this event provides a great opportunity for our community to come together, have a good clear out, make some money and give your pre-loved items a new home. It is entirely up to you how you run your stall, and all money made on your stall is for you to keep!

The Peace & Crafts Fair returns on 29th November 2025!

Stall bookings are now live for our annual fundraiser in the beautiful Victoria Hall in Saltaire!

Discounted stalls for campaigns, charities, and other good causes.

Did you know that our Peace & Crafts fair in Saltaire has an open mic? Whether you’re a music maestro, a magician, or the next poet laureate… all are welcome! Get in touch with Keith to sign up to be on our lineup: [email protected]

Dirar Kalash (solo) // Kalash Bedford Maslan Trio // Holome // Alex Izaak Milling & Territorial Gobbing ( Monday 15th September, 7:30pm-11pm @ Wharf Chambers, Leeds)

Heinous Whining is putting on a one-off show for Palestinian multi-instrumentalist creative music polymath Dirar Kalash. Dirar will be playing solo as well as in trio with local Leeds weird-music-nose-grinders Ant Bedford (Beige Palace, Solderer) and Rory Maslan (Kiosk, Puppigutz etc) + psyched guitar bedlam from Holome (50% of Phantasy) and new duo from Alex and Theo…. 

All money raised will go to Palestine Mutual Aid.

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: [email protected] / 01765 600928