It has been more than 40 years since the Embrace the Base protest at Greenham Common - and plans are forming to recreate some of the 'spirit of Greenham' in Bridport.
Protest camps were established in the early 1980s to protest against nuclear weapons being placed at RAF Greenham Common in Berkshire,
In collaboration with local historian Professor Karen Hunt and Bridport Museum, and inspired by a recent talk by Dr Elaine Titcombe to Bridport Women’s History Group, a group are gathering an archive of local lived experiences relating to the Greenham Common protest to enrich the production of a community play scheduled to take place at the Lyric Theatre in Bridport this spring.
The play plans to explore the nature of protest then and now, working with mixed communities of all ages, bringing the experience from Greenham Common into understanding protest today.
A spokesperson for the event said: "Do you remember the Greenham Common protests against cruise missiles in the 1980s? And did you take part in protests in support of the women of Greenham Common? Or did you, or any members of your family, journey from Bridport to Greenham Common to join the protest?
"If you answer yes to any of those questions, we want to hear from you. Celebrate your place in history and get in touch by emailing Acommonwomanbridport@gmail.com."
The play A Common Woman, written by Mary Rensten, has previously been produced by professionals in London; this production is a re-imagined community project where participants take ownership and co-create songs and narratives.
Cast from the pool of local actors, Barbara Darnley, Andy Smith, Ellie Taylor and Harry Locket will play the family and Romla Walker and Melanie Still play the characters at Greenham with the large choir of local singers playing the Greenham Women.
A Common Woman, Re-imagined, public performances will be held at the Lyric Theatre, Barrack Street, on April 6 and 7 with tickets available from the Tourist Information Centre from February 19.
Share