Derby Action Report - 24th April 2004

Rolls Royce Marine Power Operations site at Raynes Way in Derby is an integral part of Britain’s nuclear deterrent capability as it designs and manufactures the nuclear reactors which power Trident submarines. East Midlands CND organised a leaflet and protest on April 24th 2004.

This action turned out to be a pre-emptive raid on the minds of the Derby public and a good introduction to local activists several of whom we met on the streets. We had some luck in the weather and attracting the interest of BBC Radio Derby, I did an interview at 5.46pm on their Drivetime slot 23 April 2004 and that I'm sure primed interest for the following day which was gloriously sunny and packed the streets with shoppers, many of whom were Rolls Royce employees. In the interview I stated the main points of our leaflet; the first - the damning report from the Nuclear Inspectorate - was rebutted by the interviewer saying Rolls Royce though not able to come on the program had issued a statement "saying the Inspectorate had approved the site". I went on to speak about the Plymouth experience stating our protest was based on a new scientific assessment, and that official secrecy at the plant was not a good basis for health and safety planning. I suggested to the interviewer that we were not scaremongering and that we had written to local Emergency Planners with our concerns. I am convinced that this "soft" approach to nuclear weapons issues was particularly apposite to Derby from the public feedback we received.

 
The activists met at the junction of St. Peters Way and East St, a pedestrian precinct and by midday half a dozen people were busy leafleting the crowds of people intent on visiting the Eagle Centre a large shopping complex with entrances nearby. A Derby member had tipped me off that this would be a good place to assemble. We could not get the leaflets out fast enough and in the end had cleared given out around 800. Interested people stopped to talk including an Environmental Advisor who stated that a woman had activated the radiation alarms at the Rolls Royce plant after visiting the toilet. He stated that she had ingested some radioactive material as the result of a hospital visit. We also met several teenagers whose parents worked at Rolls Royce who were very keen to take our leaflets home with them.
 
The leafleting was proving productive so we continued well after 1pm, the time for the meeting at the Derby Town Hall. We were dressed in tabards and radiation suits. At approximately 1.15pm we formed a solemn line, two of us carrying Colin the Coffin whose skull face proclaimed "I have felt better" It was adorned with radiation symbols and while we paraded through the town centre we distributed more leaflets. Upon reaching the Council Offices it was clear the meeting a Fairtrade Question Time had started. In an attempt to discover what was happening Colin and I entered the honourable Chamber to the horror of the meeting organiser who shot out of her seat and escorted me back down stairs followed by a blazing eyed City mayor swelling himself to the full capacity of his beer belly which twinkled with his chain of Office. Janet the Organiser stated that Fairtrade issues were not "CND issues" and if we wanted to attend we would have to go round the back to the Public Gallery. We were clearly a major embarrassment particularly as Rolls Royce had two of their trophies, in the entrance hall. A polished brass model of a submarine and some form of turbine. I calmed them down and handed over a letter stating our concerns addressed to all Derby City Councillors. Copies have also been despatched to Lord Bach at the MOD Procurement and The Emergency Planning Staff in Derby and Matlock. After our rejection at the town hall which did have its funny side we retired for a drink.

There is clearly little knowledge in Derby of the role of Rolls Royce in the nuclear program. The company clearly has invested much PR time and money in the town and perhaps many of the City Council. Claims about new investment in environmental equipment seem to reinforce a view that radioactive emissions are a problem. I get the impression that the whole thing is a very touchy subject. We made useful contacts during the action and we must keep digging, someone despite official secrecy could blow the whistle they just need a profile and someone to trust. There are active individuals and East Midlands needs to establish the right rapport. It must be pretty difficult to openly campaign in a town which doesn't really know the facts as we present them and live with the consequences for the local community. I sense real potential here but just getting an open debate will have a lot of vested interest stacked against us.

Tom Cuthbert
East Midlands CND