MK Lakenheath Alliance for Peace -- non-violence training workshop

Hi All! (BCCd to about 40 personal contacts)...please share widely, and forgive me if you also get this by another route…

Many of us no doubt feel quite helpless at present to stop the Ukraine war “going nuclear”. We are all vulnerable thanks to the UK government’s pivotal role in driving up the conflict. Living on the edge of Milton Keynes, I am personally just 12 miles from a key US signals base-undoubtedly a major nuclear target if things kick off.

One way to raise our spirits in this dark time is to continue campaigning against nuclear weapons. Please consider joining MK Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, which works with CND to oppose the imminent return of US nuclear bombs to UK soil (see “background” below). Our email is [email protected].

In particular, I’m looking forward to the next peace camp at USAF Lakenheath. This runs 14-24 April 2025, but folk can attend as much or as little as they want. Preparations (including police liaison) are already well underway. The national website is https://lakenheathallianceforpeace.org.uk/ where you can watch a video of this year’s peace camp.

To help people prepare for the camp, MK Lakenheath Alliance for Peace has a NON-VIOLENCE TRAINING WORKSHOP on Sunday 1st December, 10am-4:30pm at Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple, off Brickhill Street, Willen, Milton Keynes MK15 0BG (Enter the Peace Pagoda car park on Brickhill Street, turn right under the metal arch and follow the road around to the Temple car park). All are welcome, but please email [email protected] to book, if you need more information, or to join our mailing list. Refreshments are provided, but please bring your own lunch.

BACKGROUND

USAF Lakenheath is a vast airbase just 20 miles east of Cambridge, and 70 miles from MK. US nuclear weapons – gone from Lakenheath since 2008 – are due to return, perhaps as soon as next spring. There’s been no public announcements or parliamentary debate about this, though in an already fragile global situation it makes the UK a target and can only increase international tensions. The F-35 aircraft to deliver these bombs have already arrived, inflicting unprecedented pollution and noise on local people and the fragile Breckland environment.  

MK Lakenheath Alliance for Peace—part of the national LAP—aims to mobilise local awareness raising, campaigning and protest. Please join us – to keep informed and learn how you can support this important campaign in a safe and sustainable way. We hope people will consider signing petitions, fundraising, telling friends, family and colleagues, giving talks, attending trainings and workshops, going to the monthly vigil at the base, and also joining other people from MK to prepare for and attend the 2025 peace camp.

In peace

Chris Coppock