Lynne Jones recounts her journey to Greenham, inspired by Edward Thompson’s anti-nuclear activism and Howard Clark’s nonviolent actions. She describes forming affinity groups, facilitating meetings, and the decision to make Greenham women-only. Lynne highlights the symbolic and practical impact of actions like the Women’s Pentagon Action and Embrace the Base. She emphasizes the importance of making connections and the role of Cruise Watch in rendering the missile system inoperable. She also reflects on the broader significance of Greenham in empowering women and the need for anti-patriarchal politics in the face of global challenges.
The journalist Lynne mentions who interviewed Helen John was Joan Bakewell. We think this was on The Heart of the Matter, but episodes are not available.
Helen is interviewed here with Ann Pettitt about the action in the sentry box and you can hear her speaking on the BBC’s Witness History in 2011 here.
Lynne comments on the issue of the Hay Festival being funded by Baillee Gifford who fund fossil fuels. Since this interview, Baillee Gifford have withdrawn all their funding from all literary festivals.
Her new book, Sorry for the Inconvenience But This Is an Emergency: The Nonviolent Struggle for Our Planet’s Future is available here.
Lynne was interviewed by Rebecca Mordan and Vanessa Pini in January 2024.
