Peace groups from Norwich are hosting an exhibition at St Peter Mancroft church called ‘Hiroshima to World Peace’ to mark the 60th anniversary of the dropping of the atom bombs in August 1945. There will also be a service of Peace and Remembrance on Sunday August 7th at 6.30pm in Norwich Cathedral.

The exhibition, running from August 6th – 18th, 10.30 am to 3.30 pm., contains several different exhibits which have been brought together from around the country including panels showing the horrors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. “A Shared Vision”, from Bradford Peace Museum, gives the history of twentieth century war and the modern Peace movement, and looks forward to alternatives to perpetual war.

Members of the local Peace Groups will be fasting outside St Peter Mancroft between Hiroshima Day, Aug 6th and Nagasaki Day, Aug 9th, and during this time, members of the public will be invited to sign messages of Peace on a giant size dove poster.

Jean Davis, one of the organisers from Norwich Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament says “On this 60th anniversary it is particularly important that we look to the future, and urgently take the path of avoiding nuclear holocaust. As our government embarks on more nuclear weapons programmes, which will put back nuclear disarmament another quarter of the century, feelings are very high. Across the country, there will be a coordinated fast between Aug 6th and Aug 9th - people will be taking part in Norwich alongside the exhibition.”

Davida Higgin from Lakenheath Action Group said “This exhibition is particularly poignant given the failure of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York in May, the on-going presence in East Anglia of American nuclear weapons at Lakenheath, and UK government plans to build a new generation of nuclear weapons at Aldermaston. The on-going death cycle of these weapons of mass destruction continues – have we learnt nothing in 60 years? ”

Many similar themes are developed at the seven week international exhibition at Norwich Art School, including the “War on War Room” by Peter Kennard and Carol Picton Phillipps.

ENDS

NOTES

The exhibition is at St Peter Mancroft Church, opposite the Forum, from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm, except during church services, from August 6th – 18th 2005.

Photo opportunities:

1. Shadow painting, Friday August 5th 2000 between 7.30pm and 8.30pm outside St Peter Mancroft with Peter Kennard ( http://www.peterkennard.com/ ), renowned Peace artist, and artist in residence, at Norwich School of Art, and Cat Picton Phillipps, Peace artist.

2. Members of Peace Groups fasting outside St Peter Mancroft while the public sign messages of Peace on a giant size dove poster, Aug 6th – Aug 9th.

More information on British nuclear programs:

1. Trident replacement. Press reports suggest that the government has already made a decision to replace the current Trident nuclear weapons system. In fact, early work on this huge new nuclear weapons programme is very likely to have already started, with Defence Secretary John Reid’s announcement to parliament on 20 July that an 'agreement has been reached with AWE Management Ltd. (AWE ML) to take forward a programme of investment in sustaining key skills and facilities at the Atomic Weapons Establishment. This will involve an investment of £350 million a year for the next three years.”

 http://www.cnduk.org/pages/press/210705.html

2. Mini-nukes: Britain may also be poised to develop a new generation of tactical nuclear weapons or ‘mini-nukes’.  http://sheffieldcnd.gn.apc.org/mininukes.html . Mini-nukes are relatively small nuclear weapons designed to destroy underground targets (production and storage facilities, and bunkers) and to be used as battlefield weapons.


Interview opportunities:

With exhibition organisers:

Jean Davis from Norwich Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)
Davida Higgin from Lakenheath Action group (LAG)
Anne Dismorr from Norwich Peace Council
At any time, by arrangement, as below.

For more information, please contact:

Jean Davis on 01603 453530
Davida Higgin on 01508 550446
Anne Dismorr on 01603 664479


Exhibition by kind permission of the Vicar and Church Administrators St Peter Mancroft Church.