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Campaign

N IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE

The Journal of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Associationwww.bntva.com

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The Chairman of the North Tyneside Veterans Committee is Major Bill Campbell who is aNuclear Veteran as are several of the Committee members including our Chairman

John Lowe ( left of centre back row).

Betty Dannatt with Les Goslingon the occasion of her 91stBirthday 6 January 2009

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The Chaplain writes about:

THE VIRTUE OF PERSISTENCE

Like many members of theAssociation, and others concerned

about issues of justice and fairness, Iadded my name to the recent petitionto the Prime Minister on the subjectof genetic damage to children,following their parents’ participationin Britain’s Nuclear WeaponsProgramme.

In due course I received the replyfrom 10 Downing Street. It wasdisappointing to read the samestatements that have become all toofamiliar:

‘…Evidence to date has notdemonstrated a general linkbetween ill-health andparticipation in the tests’…Nuclear Test Veterans…’received a negligible dose ofradiation’ etc.

No doubt the Prime Minister is fullypreoccupied with the economic crisisfacing our country – indeed, I hope heis! But it is more than disappointingthat this reply should have been givenat the very moment when a HighCourt Judge was about to begin thelong awaited hearing for which theAssociation has campaigned.

Some of our members have beenconcerned about these matters formore than 25 years, and I have beenpreaching on the subject for 21 years.In my ministry, I am constantlyinspired by the persistence of faith:people who believe in God and putinto practice what they see as theconsequences of that belief – whatChristians call the building of theKingdom of God. ‘All we seek isjustice’, is not the quite the samething, but pretty closely related.

As an American Evangelist put it,rather more directly than I could,

‘Hang on in there folks! You may yetbe surprised’.

Nicholas FraylingChichester Cathedral

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Atomic Testing Trial: UpdateThe trial began on Wednesday 21stJanuary with the Honourable MrJustice Foskett the presiding Judge.As you know the barristersrepresenting the Claimants wereBenjamin Browne QC, Mark Jamesand Catherine Foster. TheDefendant’s team of around sixcounsel was led by Charles GibsonQC.  A large number of Claimantsattended the opening of the case andalthough the case was taking place inthe largest Court room in the HighCourt in London, it was standingroom only.  There was verysubstantial international mediainterest.The purpose of the hearing was for‘the limitation trial’.  This came aboutbecause the Ministry of Defenceserved a defence, claiming that theClaimants had sufficient knowledgeof the issues giving rise to theirclaims (according to a legal definitionwithin the Limitation Act) beforeDecember 2001, and the claims aretherefore ‘out of time’ and cannotproceed.  The Judge has to decide ifthe claims are ‘too late’, or if heshould exercise his discretion toextend the time in which proceedingscan be brought.

○ If the Judge decides that some orall of the Claimants did not havethe necessary ‘knowledge’ beforeDecember 2001 then the claimsare not out of time and cancontinue.

○ If he decides that the claims areout of of time, but he is willing toexercise his discretion to extendtime, he will permit some or allof the claims to continue.

○ If he decides that some or all ofthe Claimants are out of time,and he is not willing to use hisdiscretion to extend time, theDefendant’s limitation defencewill succeed and all of thoseclaims will be struck out.

On the first day Mr Browne openedthe case for the Claimants, that isexplained to the Judge what the claimis about and giving an overview of thelaw to be considered.  The second daywas spent with Mr Gibson openingthe case for the MoD, when heexplained the Defendant’s argumentson limitation to the Judge.The Lead Cases Claimants then gavetheir evidence and were crossexamined, concluding on 29thJanuary.  Following the evidence theJudge ordered a short break to enableboth legal teams to prepare closingsubmissions. There was aconsiderable amount of work done byboth legal teams to summarise theevidence that had been heard, and toexplain the relationship between thefacts, the evidence and the law, andhow this should all be interpreted bythe Judge.  Written submissions ofseveral hundred pages were preparedand then the two leading barristersaddressed the Judge in open Court onthe case for each side.

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The Judge has previously indicatedthat he hoped to give his judgment onor about 20th February.Unfortunately that is not going to bepossible, for the reasons explained byMr Justice Foskett at the end of thehearing. The full text of what he said,taken from the Court transcript, is setout below so that you understand thereason for the slight delay.

MR JUSTICE FOSKETT:“Thank you very much. I shall obviouslylook at all that in due course.  No needto stand up, Mr Browne.  Do sit down.Just a few general observations before Ileave the court.I am very grateful to a large number ofpeople for continuing their interest inthis case over the last few weeks.Perhaps I can just address them for afew moments.Those of you who have been here willhave realised that I have been fortunateenough, if "fortunate" is the right word,to have had some extremely able legalsubmissions from two verydistinguished counsel. I shall sparetheir blushes by allowing them toremain seated.  They have also had thegreat advantage of some extremely ableand distinguished teams behind them,not just junior counsel, but solicitorsand others, and I am extremely gratefulto everyone for everything that theyhave fed to me.  I know how much hardwork goes into these kinds of cases andhow much emotional and physical effortgoes into it on both sides.I am a team of one and so I am afraidfrom now on, although the buck stopswith me, I have an awful lot to read,

re-read and mull over before being ableto formulate a final judgment.  I need tosay that, so that everyone willunderstand that there is going to bequite some considerable delay beforemy decision is known.Counsel know that I have managed toset aside some time over the next coupleof weeks to be able to make a start, butI think everybody will understand thatthis is a sufficiently difficult case that Iam going to need longer than that inwhich to produce my final decision andI do, I am afraid, after that fortnight,have other judicial duties that I cannotavoid.So the bottom line of all this is that no-one should expect anything beforeEaster, and I will do my best to dothings as quickly as I can because Iappreciate the public interest in thecase.  I appreciate the interests of bothsides in the litigation, but for me to dojustice to it is going to take a little while.Having said it will not be until afterEaster does not mean to say it will beimmediately after Easter. I am afraidyou will have to leave it to me to dealwith things as quickly as I can.  So I feltI ought to say that to everyone.As I say, I am grateful to everyone fortheir attention.  I hope people will nothave misunderstood the odd moments ofhumour that there have been during thecourse of the case.  I can assure youthat I take the case extremely seriously,from both sides' points of view, andhumour helps us along sometimes.With a number of former servicemengoing into the witness-box, it was prettyunlikely we would get away without theodd laugh or two somewhere along theway.

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I am grateful to the court staff for theirassistance during the course of this, andparticularly the usher, whom I gatherhas been keeping you very much undercontrol.Don't stop typing, please, but I amextremely grateful to the LiveNote teamfor the excellent work they have done.How they coped with Mr Gibsonreading that passage about the orangesand Mr Browne reading out MrGibson's cross-examination and MrHart, I really don't know, but you did amagnificent job and I shall lookforward to reading both parts of itagain in due course.My final thanks to Mr MacLean forcoming along and helping me with thebundles.  It saved an enormous amountof time and certainly saved me a lot oflegwork.So, to everyone, thank you, and you willreceive the judgment in due course”

It is impossible for us to guess whatdecisions the Judge will come to; wejust have to wait.  We will send out afurther bulletin with details of theCourt’s judgment as soon as wereceive it, but for the reasons set outby Mr Justice Foskett it will be manyweeks, if not months, before he giveshis judgment.It would be inappropriate if we wereto fail to give credit to an amazingteam of people who have worked onthis case during the past years atRosenblatt.  The ‘Vet’s Team’ as it isknown is a group of talented anddedicated people, who have workedtirelessly, and on many occasions,

‘around the clock’ in recent weeks

preparing for the trial.  Claimants liveall over the World, so members of theteam have had to work through thenight on occasions to call people inNew Zealand, Australia and Fiji.  Twomembers of the team spent six weeksin Fiji seeing all the Fijian Claimants –it was very hard work and certainly noholiday!!Claiments will have spoken to manymembers of the team, but there aremany more working on research,reading and analysing the 250,000pages of documents disclosed by theMoD; liaising with our experts; takingwitness statements; compiling andanalysing medical records;maintaining the Group Register;dealing with the media; answeringquestions from clients; consideringlegal issues and a whole host of othertasks including filing!!  We, as thepartners in Rosenblatt responsible forrunning this case, but also on behalfof all veteran claimants, theirrepresentatives and families, owe adebt of gratitude to all members ofthis team, without whose efforts withthose of the three instructed counsel(Benjamin Browne QC, Mark Jamesand Catherine Foster), thepresentation of the case before thecourt would not have been possible.If you have any questions about anymatters we have dealt with in thisbulletin of the case in general pleasedo not hesitate to contact us Clive Hyer & Neil SampsonRosenblatt Solicitors 9-13 St Andrew StreetLondon EC4A 3AF Tel: +44 (0) 20 79550880 info@rosenblatt-law.co.uk

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Chairman’s report

The start of 2009 is proving to bemost frustrating.

First, with everybody having madethe necessary arrangements to ensuretheir attendance at the High Court forthe opening session of the limitationhearing on the 19th January, with veryshort notice, everything was put backto the 21st January. So that everybodyhad to cancel their travelarrangements and hotelaccommodation and rebook.

Although we were advised thatJudgement could be expected on orbefore the 20th February, that is notnow the case and we must hold ourpatience for a little while longer.

Published in the last edition of‘CAMPAIGN’ was a letter which Ihad received from Kevan Jones MP,the Minister for Veterans, in which headvised that his officials were to takeexpert advice on study design,methodology, numbers, likely timecourse etc, for a study looking at theway the genetic legacy affects thehealth of Nuclear Test VeteransChildren and Grandchildren.

On the 4th December representativesfrom the Association, together withJohn Baron MP, met with Dr. AnneBraidwood CBE (Medical Adviser tothe MoD), in order to, as we thought,

be advised as to the proposals for thesetting up of a study.

This proved to be a mostunsatisfactory meeting, with noproposals being made.

We were however promised a furthermeeting at which she proposed tohave some academics attend, and atwhich our own advisors would be inattendance.

It was anticipated that this meetingwould take place in January of thisyear.

At the time of writing (11th February)there is no indication of the date forany such meeting to taking place.

I have protested to the Minister andseveral supportive MPs have tabledquestions in parliament.

We will keep up the pressure however.Once again, patience must be ourvirtue.

John Lowe

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Petition Reply

Those of you who signed the petitionon the No 10 web site should havereceived the formal reply, for those ofyou who did not, or did not sign thepetition. This is the Governmentreply sent out by the No 10 web site.

The Government has a responsibilityto investigate all new researchregarding the possibility of anyharmful health effects of the nucleartests we have carried out in the past.The Government has, therefore,studied the most recent scientificevidence from Massey UniversityNew Zealand on genetic damage in agroup of Royal New Zealand Navyparticipants in the British nuclear tests.

The study report expressly states thatits findings throw no light on healtheffects. The wider published peer-reviewed epidemiological evidence todate has not demonstrated a generallink between ill-health andparticipation in the tests.

The Government recognises nucleartest veterans’ fears that theirchildren/grandchildren are at a raisedrelative risk of suffering from geneticabnormalities as a consequence oftheir participation in the UK’s nucleartesting programme. The availablepeer-reviewed evidence, however,does not currently support thatconcern. High-quality internationalresearch has not demonstrated

increases in congenital disability orill-health among the offspring of thesurvivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

There is, therefore, no reason tobelieve that nuclear test veterans, whoin contrast with the Japanesesurvivors generally receivednegligible doses of radiation, shouldhave experienced subsequentincreased rates of congenital or otherdisorders among their offspring. Thegenerally accepted position on thepart of most medically qualifiedauthorities worldwide is that theliterature does not suggest thatexposure to ionising radiation inparents results in congenitalabnormalities in the first generation ofoffspring.

The Government is, however,determined to address the ongoingconcerns of nuclear test veteransabout possible genetic damageexperienced by their children. KevanJones had a constructive meeting withthe British Nuclear Test VeteransAssociation (BNTVA) in late October2008 to discuss the possibility of anew MOD study into health issues,particularly in relation to offspring.

The MOD hopes to make anannouncement in early 2009.

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page18030

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G2+ page

Dear Veterans,Thank you so far for passing ondetails of the G2+ Committee's(formerly known as the Children'sSub-Committee) letter andquestionnaire, so far we haveapproximately 70 responses.

As the questionnaire is to gather theviews of the children andgrandchildren' views, so we at theG2+ Committee can be morerepresentative, the committee wouldbe grateful if you could continue tospread the word. To clear up anymisunderstandings adoptee's arethoroughly encouraged to participate.An interim report will be published atthe AGM. Personal details such asnames, addresses etc. will remain inthe strictest of confidence, unlesspermission is granted for such detailsto be passed on. Each respondent willbe sent a copy of the report either byemail, or by post where an emailaddress is not provided.

The G2+ Questionnaire can still befound on the BNTVA website on theChildren's Sub-Committee link at thebottom of the BNTVA homepagehttp://www.bntva.com/. Details ofwhere to send the questionnaire,either by post or by email can also befound.Again, thank you to the veterans whohave already passed on thequestionnaire, and many thanks to the

respondents for their valuable time.

Best wishes,Tracey MorrisG2+ committee

Dear veteransAs Tracey has said in her piece, theresponse from the questionnaire hasbeen excellent.

The impression that I am getting isthat everybody thinks that moreaction should be taken with regards tothe children.

We are currently waiting for thedecision to come from the High Courton how the claims for the veterans aregoing to proceed, and once thatdecision comes back, we will be in astronger position to fight for thechildren. This does not mean that ifwe do not get the right decision fromcourt that we stop fighting, it justmakes us more determined.

The Government response to thepetition was pathetic. My ownpersonal view is of disgust that theywon’t even look into our health issues.Just because it says in a report thatthere is no link, does not prove thatour illnesses are not linked.

I hope that one day soon, we provebeyond doubt that we are right andthey are wrong - as usual!

Martin BlackburnChairman G2+ committee

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Archie Barton AM

24 March 1936 -18 October 2008

Those of us who served atMaralinga will know the name of

Archie Barton, the leader of theTjarutja people, the nativeAustralians who owned the land thatthe Maralinga test range covered.

Archie led the fight to have hispeoples’ ancestral lands returned tothem, and to have the land cleaned up,so they could live their lives in thetraditional way.

In 1991 the BBC made a documentaryentitled “Secrets of the Sands”,which was seen as a breakthrough forthe Tjarutja people.

The following year (1992) Bartondistributed vivid posters featuring twoelders in red headbands, standing infront of Westminster, with the words

“Take your Plutonium off our lands”Barton met with the Army Minister,Viscount Cranborne, who Bartonpresented with two bags full of redplutonium-tainted sand fromMaralinga.

It took another two years for anythingto happen.

In 1994 the UK Government paid £20million towards the clean up, and thenext year 1995 the AustralianGovernment paid almost £6 milliontowards compensation and clean up.

Archie was awarded a HonoraryDoctorate by the University ofAdelaide, he was also awarded theOrder of Australia (AM).

He passed away in Port Augusta (18October 2008), a lonely man. He waslaid to rest in Oak Valley, the home ofthe traditional owners he had longchampioned.

CongratulationsTo

Martin and LeeanneBlackburn on the birth of

their daughter EvelynLouise on 28th December2008. Her birth weight

was 7lb 5oz

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After more than 30 years in the RoyalNavy, Derick Redfern's dying wishwas for his ashes to be scattered at sea.

Mr Redfern, a former secretary of theBritish Nuclear Test VeteransAssociation (BNTVA), worked as adiver in the Navy. He died earlier thisyear, aged 71, at his home inCornwall.

His widow Ann asked the Navy tohelp with her husband's request, andLieutenant Mark Northcote from theSouthern Diving Unit obliged. Hesaid: "Of course I agreed to therequest. I mentioned to Ann that wewere due to do a training exercise toexplode a torpedo, and she thoughtthat Mr Redfern would have loved theidea of his ashes being attached to itfor the explosion.

"It is the first time I have ever doneanything like this. It was a wonderfultribute to a fellow diver."

Mrs Redfern watched the blast fromthe cliff top at a ceremony with aRoyal Navy chaplain, and said it wasexactly what Mr Redfern would havewanted.

"He was a wonderful character, largerthan life, and this was the most fitting

tribute that me and his friends couldthink of.

He had such a full life and career withthe Royal Navy."

Story reprinted with kind permission of theEditor of Legion Magazine

Ann Redfern tells us about Derick

Derick Redfern 16. 02. 37 -30. 07. 07One time BNTVA committee member,Secretary and Vice Chairman.

Being born into a seafaring family onthe banks of Poole Harbour, Derick'sone ambition was always to join theRoyal Navy and become one ofBuster Crabbe's men.

After his father, a sea captain, was lostat sea in WW 11 he was sent to TheRoyal Hospital School at Holbrook.He is one of very few men who wouldspeak in total praise of his time there.He took every opportunity to acquireskills for his chosen career, so that histraining year at HMS Ganges was a

"doddle".

His naval life was a mixture of worldwide postings, and more training inunderwater skills and explosives, witha spell as a member of the Devonport

Navy diver granted his final wishTorpedo scatters veteran's ashes onto sea-bed

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Field Gun's Crew, which swept theboard of all the trophies that year.After a varied career around the world,the posting to Christmas Islandpresented him with a rest! Therewere only light duties to perform,namely to keep constant watch on thebow doors of H M S Narvik as sheploughed her way across the Atlanticand the Pacific. ( She was by thenquite a rust bucket and bets had beentaken in the dockyard as towhether she would actuallymake it to her destination.)The information that he wasgoing to be part of theNuclear Test cohort wasonly given to him, likeeveryone else, when he wasin mid ocean.

It would be fair to say thathe enjoyed his time in theCentral Pacific, with his own privatecabin (as a member of Special Boatshe had privileges), and time to gofishing and taking part in the

"Regattas" etc.

It was after witnessing four of thedetonations in 1958 that his healthdeteriorated and although hecontinued to be posted to other jobs,and eventually to shore basedpositions back in England, whichincluded being on the AdmiraltyInterview Board and training cadetsto sail at Dartmouth, he was invalidedout of the navy before he was 26.This was a bitter blow.

Whatever Derick put his mind to hewould do it to his utmost. He soonhad his own company thriving, anexecutive fleet of luxury coaches andheavy goods vehicles.How do you give a fitting send off toa man like Derick, who loved the seaand never liked being still in oneplace for very long. When theopportunity to have his ashesscattered by controlled explosion was

offered by a NavalLieutenant who wasan old boy of theRoyal Hospital School,and who is also aclearance diver, Iaccepted the offer withgreat thankfulness.After a wait of someweeks for all to beready at the rightmoment - personnel,window in the weather

etc, Derick was given a spectacularfarewell a mile outside Plymouthbreakwater.

It was a beautiful scene. Sunshine,blue sky and water, and a magnificentwhite spume several meters high.Jeremy Clarkson in the Sunday Timesremarked that Derick would now beforever part of the Gulf Stream.

Where else would he want to be?A R

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Things you probably never knewyour mobile phone could do

Here are a few things that can be donein times of grave emergencies. Yourmobile phone can actually be a lifesaver or an emergency tool forsurvival. Check out the things thatyou can do with it:

1. Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwidefor Mobile is 112. If you find yourselfout of the coverage area of yourmobile network, and there is anemergency, dial 112 and the mobilewill search any existing network toestablish the emergency number foryou, and interestingly this number112 can be dialled even if the keypadis locked.

2. Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your mobile battery is verylow. To activate, press the keys*3370# Your mobile will restart withthis reserve and the instrument willshow a 50% increase in battery. Thisreserve will get charged when youcharge your mobile next time.

3. How to disable a STOLEN mobilephone?

To check your Mobile phone's serialnumber, key in the following digits onyour phone: * # 0 6 #

A 15 digit code will appear on thescreen.This number is unique to your handset.Write it down and keep it somewheresafe. When your phone gets stolen,you can phone your service providerand give them this code. They willthen be able to block your handset, soeven if the thief changes the SIM card,your phone will be totally useless.You probably won't get your phoneback, but at least you know thatwhoever stole it can't use/sell it either.If everybody does this, there wouldbe no point in people stealingmobile phones.

4. ATM - PIN Number Reversal -Good to Know

If you should ever be forced by arobber to withdraw money from anATM machine, you can notify thepolice by entering your PIN # inreverse. For example, if your pinnumber is 1234, then you would putin 4321. The ATM system recognizesthat your PIN number is backwardsfrom the ATM card you placed in themachine. The machine will still giveyou the money you requested, butunknown to the robber, the police willbe immediately dispatched to thelocation.

This information was recentlybroadcast on CTV by Crime Stoppers.However it is seldom used becausepeople just don't know about it.Denis Shaw

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BNTVA Tribunals 2008

This has been a very quiet yearregarding Pensions and

Arbitration tribunals. It may be thatveterans are waiting to see theoutcome of the Limitation hearing?

I have had the four tribunals this year,there may have been more, but theyhave been represented by otherorganisations or private solicitors, so Iam unaware of the outcome of these.

PATs I have been involved with.� One has been listed three times fora hearing then withdrawn because oflack of time on the tribunals behalf.

� Another has been postponedbecause the appellant is a witness inthe litigation trial in London.

� Another has been rejected which Iwas very surprised at because theveteran is suffering from CLL.

� The last one has been awarded apension for cancer, he was present atthe Maralinga tests in 1957.

So the league table reads Played 4Won 1 Drawn 2 Lost 1.

When applying for a tribunal, it is upto the appellant to provide as muchinformation as possible to support thecase. It is not enough just to say youwere there. The main thing is medicalevidence. The representative willhelp and guide you to present the case,

but it is not their remit to provideanything other than guidance topresent the case.The representative will provide someinformation if they have had someprevious knowledge on the subjectbut not being medically trained, thetribunal will want written expertmedical evidence

Derek Heaps

War Pension applicants

In the last issue of ‘Campaign’ therequest was made that all nuclearveterans who had applied for a warpension regardless of the outcomeshould advise Doug Hern of theirdetails, so a full database of allapplicants could be drawn up. Theresponse has been less thanexpected

If you have not sent in your detailsplease do so as soon as possible, sothat progress can be made with thisproject. Details to Doug Hern please.

Registered Charity StatusDuring the past year the Associationhas been engaged in the process ofapplying for registered Charity Status.The negotiations with the CharityCommission has taken a long time.At last we are nearing the end of theroad.To complete the process, details willbe brought before the AGM .

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BNTVAConvention and Annual General

MeetingSaturday 25th April 2009

Paradise Room South ShoreBlackpool at

13.30 hrsDoors open for registration at

13.00 hrsThis is a most important meeting.

Plans for the future of theAssociation will be discussed.

It is a time for all members to havetheir say.

Please make every effort to come.

Evening Social with ProfessionalEntertainment at 19.30 hrs

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David WainwrightVocal Entertainer

Tony RoscoeComedian

AGM Social Evening Star Line Up

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Executive Committee

Nominations are invited formembers who are prepared to

serve on The Association’s ExecutiveCommittee, in any capacity.

Nomination forms must be fullycompleted with the name,membership number and signature ofthe nominee, thus confirming theirwillingness to stand for election, andthe membership number and signatureof both the proposer and seconder.All signatories must be fully paid upmembers of the Association, as persection 4e of the Constitution.Nominations must be received by thesecretary no later than 21 days beforethe AGM. In the event of there beingmore than one candidate for all, orany of the positions, an election willbe held to determine the membershipof the Executive Committee for nextyear.

Nomination forms are available fromthe Administration Secretary

Resolutions

Resolutions for discussion at theAGM must be submitted in writing,and received by the secretary no laterthan 21 days before the AGM.

It is required that the motion iscompleted with the name,membership number and signature ofboth the proposer and seconder.

The proposer must also be present atthe AGM, in order that they maypresent the motion to the meeting.

AGM

The format of this years AGM hasbeen changed. The formal businesswill be as short as possible givingmore time for discussion of futureplans and the way forward for TheAssociation.

The reports from the Officers andExecutive Committee members willbe published in the AGM hand book,together with the Annual Accountsfor 2008.

After the formal business has beencompleted it is intended that themeeting will go into small syndicategroups for detailed discussion offuture plans and then reconvene forany decisions to be made.

Voting

Remember that only those memberswho present their 2009 membershipcard at the AGM will be able to vote.

Raffles prizesPlease bring those unwanted

Christmas and birthday presentsand donate them for raffle prizes

at the AGM.

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Tony Stannage who served onChristmas Island, has for the past

few years dedicated himself to raisingfunds for the ‘Children of ChristmasIsland’ to assist with their schoolingand helping to build and facilitateschools on the Island.

Together with other veterans, fromEast Anglia he has secured a stand atthe two day Royal Air ForceWaddington International Military AirShow July 4th and 5th of this year.

Polynesian dances will be performedby a group of Christmas Islanddancers. There will be many itemsfor sale including bric-a-brac. Wehope to have signed memorabiliafrom football, rugby and dartsassociations. All proceeds will go tothe Christmas Island Children's Fund.

Tony has worked tirelessly over thelast few years and, with schools inLincolnshire, has raised £5,000 todate. All proceeds from the stand willgo this fine causeContact has been made withInternational Nuclear VeteransAssociations, and we hope that someof these veterans will attend the show.

As this is an International event it isrequested that the BNTVA Standardsare displayed. If your standard beareris unable to attend this event, pleasesend your Branch / National standardto Doug Hern by carrier. Standardswill be returned to their branches viacarrier after the event.

We invite as many veterans aspossible to come to this fine air showwhich promises to be one of the bestever,

If anyone would like to support thiscause please send donations to TonyStannage C/0 Doug and Sandie HernMany thanks in advance for your helpand support

N.B. Although the BNTVA are supporting thisinternational event it is not organised by theBNTVA. All communications should be sentto Doug Hern.

Rail customers who wish to visit theRAF Waddington Air Show will havethe opportunity to purchase add-onfares which includes admission & bustransfer to the Air Show from Lincolnstation, from East Midlands Trainsand National Rail Enquiries.

4th &5th July 2009

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It's not often that this Associationcan say that we have a real

insight into the workings ofanything but thanks to Archie Rossof Burton on Trent we have anidea of the workings of theNational Arboretum at Alrewas.

Archie is a member of "friends ofthe Arboretum". He gives twodays a week voluntarily to helpthere.He may be driving a golf buggy,taking people around the site, orworking at the Information desk,but whatever he does he keeps theinterests of this Association in theforefront of his mind.

He varnishes our benches to keepthem fresh, and he helps to tidyour site including replacing anyshells that fall off the memorial.Of course we are not always surethat they have actually fallen of, orif a visitor fancies one of them.

He is also available on the days heworks to answer any questionsasked about the memorial, and thetest sites, which, he says, childrenare particularly interested in. Weall know that very little is taughtabout what we did 50 years ago.John Lowe has given lectures atManchester and that several othershave done so elsewhere.

Archie Ross and Bob Smith atAlrewas.

This picture was taken in October,Archie met my wife and I there -graciously giving up yet more ofhis time to do so.

In my humble opinion we are verylucky to have Archie at Alrewas tomaintain our small plot and I takethis opportunity to thank him forhis work and his lovely wife Chrisfor all her support.

Bob Smith

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CHRISTMAS ISLAND WITHMOUNTAINS?-LIVING IN TENERIFE

Tenerife has hot weather, palm trees,and almost equal day and night, butthat is where the similarity toChristmas Island ends. It is about 5times the size of the Isle of Wight,and is the largest of the CanaryIslands. At the last count there was aresident population of 850,000,making it the most populous of theCanary Islands. Tenerife has beendescribed as "a continent inminiature", hot and dry in the south,lush and green in the north, with snowin the central mountainous area,which has the 3700 meter mountTeide, the highest mountain onSpanish territory. It is claimed thatanything which grows anywhere inthe world will grow on Tenerife.Summer temperatures in the south arenormally between 25 and 30c,although Tenerife is 800 miles southof mainland Spain, its not nearly ashot in summer, due to beingsurrounded by the cool Atlantic.Winters are mild, rain in the south israre. Sometimes it may not rain forseveral months, but it can bucketdown when it does. Thanks to itsmountains, unlike many islandsTenerife has abundant natural water sodoes not need to rely on desalination,as some neighbouring islands do,which is just as well when youconsider the number of golf courses.

Tenerife´s capital is Santa Cruz, thesecond largest city in the Canaries,and well worth a visit if you come onholiday here. (the largest city beingLas Palmas on the neighbouringisland of Gran Canaria)

Having associate membership of theEU Tenerife has the euro as itscurrency which is not good at presentif your income is in sterling, There areno heating bills, no council tax, watercan be heated by a solar panel, andyou can get a pint of beer for 1.5€. Ifyou smoke, cigarettes too are muchcheaper.Due to the warm climate less clothingand laundry are necessary and onetends to eat less, another saving.Diesel fuel is around 70 cents a litre,with petrol a little dearer at 75 cents.Road tax on a small car can be as lowas 16€ a year

My wife and I have lived full time inthe south of Tenerife for over 6 years,15 miles east of Playa De LasAmericas. The main benefits are theweather, lower living costs, and webelieve it is safer than the UK, asthere appears to be less crime.

The downsides are that to some extentyou cut yourselves off from familyand friends, you may miss the Englishcountryside, the language can be aproblem, and the bureaucracy candrive you mad!.

Bob Darkin.

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In memory ofRobert Senior Blackwell 1936-2007

My father died just over a year ago.Many of the brave men who servedwith my father developed similarillnesses. Some have died; others arenow very ill. They are not the onlyvictims - the effects of radiation hasbeen passed on through thegenerations. Over several years wehave been campaigning for somerecognition for the servicemen whohave suffered.

While we take the fight to the MOD atthe high court, I am attempting toraise funds, and am embarking on ahuge fund raising exercise - startingwith a Triathlon! This will be inmemory of my father, by generatingmoney for the servicemen that are stillalive. I have started training and it’snow all systems go! A 400m Swim,20k bike ride and 5k run, all atSouthwell. This will be on Sunday24 May.

I will be joined by Simon. I ask youto kindly sponsor this endeavour. Iwould like to try to make a differenceto those that survive. The court casecould take years and I hope to be ableto make some little provision for themin the meantime.

Sponsorship starts at £25.00 forcompletion of the triathlon. I’masking you to dig deep, so if you canspare more I would be hugely grateful.

If you would like further informationplease call Rachel on: 07971 212 034.

Many thanksRachel

Rachel Blackwell9 Carisbrooke DriveMapperley ParkNottinghamNG3 5DS

Cheques made payableto R Blackwell

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Letter to the editor

Dear Jeff

I read with interest the letter fromBob Darkin. I too did my National

Service in the Balloon Unit based inthe big airship hangers at RAFCardington. I went out to ChristmasIsland with the first party in June1958 and was in Sgt. Ron Clarke’steam preparing for the balloon bursts,and camped at ‘B’ site. I am sorryBob but I can’t put a face to yourname, but that is no way unusualthese days.

Our job was to suspend the weaponunder the stack of balloons and thendash down the road a few miles whilethe weapon was detonated. Ours wasquite a small bomb, but nevertheless,larger than those dropped on Japan.

For the next 11 days we worked atground zero of the first balloon bomb,which three weeks earlier had beendetonated only 1500 feet above thespot where we were working. If itwas our turn to do picket duty,(topping up the gas in the balloons inthe cool of the evening) we had tosleep on the site in a small tent, all thetime, of course, in our protectiveclothing of shorts, sandals, and a hat.It was my group who were given theduty of suspending the final bomb.We paid out the cables and tetheredthem off, disconnected the winches,then off for a cup of tea from an urnwhich was standing on the steel

platform that the weapon had beenstood on a few minutes earlier. Weoccasionally looked up at the weapon,hoping that none of the boffin's wouldlean on the wrong button until we hadgot out of the way.

At the evacuation of the site I hadbeen detailed to drive one of thelorries a Leyland Hippo, with aballoon winch mounted on it. All theother chaps had left the site except forone of the Scammel tractors, as I triedto start the Hippo the battery had goneflat and would not turn the engineover. I was towed to what we thenconsidered safety.

In all, I enjoyed my National Serviceand Christmas Island addedexcitement to what could have been aboring two years. However whatprice did we pay?

I had to retire in 1996 with heartproblems, which are getting worse.Nevertheless I am still here and keeptaking the tablets.

Best wishesJohn Lycett (SAC)PS isn’t it odd that whatever medicalproblems you have, none of themcould possibly be caused by sittingwith your back to four NuclearWeapons.

John sent in a photo of the balloon unit butunfortunately it did not scan well enough toinclude in the magazine. Ed

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Portsmouth news

The Portsmouth group visited BettyDannatt in her rest home where

she lives, to mark the celebration ofher 91st birthday. Betty was thetreasurer of the Portsmouth Branch.In the picture (inside front cover) sheis seen seated, with Les Gosling thepast chairman of the PortsmouthBranch. Betty is still a full memberof the Association and looks forwardto receiving the magazine, so that shecan keep up to date. Many HappyReturns Betty from us all.

Five members of the Portsmouthgroup were pleased to be able totravel to London for the opening dayof the High Court Limitation trial.

Bob’s column

My sincere thanks to all thosemembers who were timely with theirmemberships fees. It allows theAssociation to forecast for the nextyear. The Executive Committee wishto thank all those who gave extra cash,we appreciate your generosity. Inparticular I would like to thank theWillard family for the donationgathered at John’s funeral. For youall to think of the Association at sucha time means a lot to me personally.

My thanks to all who tell our story atvarious locations around the country,and collect money for the Association.

In particular to the landlord of theThree Tuns at Eggleston.

Now for Victor Meldrew mode;“I don’t believe it” surprising thoughit may seem someone sent theirmembership fee to Ken Robertsaddress. Ken died four year ago, Ihope they were not expecting ananswer. Ken’s wife always sent onany mail, but she died two years ago.The lady who now lives in the houseis very concerned that mail for theBNTVA is still being sent to heraddress.

Please please please read themagazine. The reason for aMembership Secretary is to reducesome of the burden on the Treasurer.Sending fees to the wrong person andeven the wrong address only adds tothe work and the expense of theAssociation. Likewise sending theincorrect amount adds to the workload.

I have to report that two of ourScottish members have passed awayWillie Scott and Graham Anderson.

Please remember all those ladies whohave sadly lost their husbands orpartners in the last year. Please beaware that each of them will be sorelymissed.

Welcome back to the former membersand hello to the new ones.

Bob Smith - Membership Secretary

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CHAIRMANJohn G Lowe7 Bedale DriveWhitley BayTyne & WearNE25 8URTel: 0191 252 7931

VICE-CHAIRMAN & TRIBUNALOFFICERDerek Heaps4 Bakewell DriveCastle DonningtonDerbyDE74 2NFTel:/Fax: 0133 281 1429

ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARYMrs Sandie Hern36 Bell LaneMoultonSpaldingPE12 6PHTel: 0140 637 1134Fax: 01406 370 847e-mail: hernie@tiscali.co.uk

LITIGATION SECRETARYDouglas Hern36 Bell LaneMoultonSpaldingPE12 6PHTel: 0140 637 1134Fax: 01406 370 847e-mail: hernie@tiscali.co.uk

TREASURER(PHONE ONLY BETWEEN 6.00 – 8.00 pmCarol Longden2 Fossland View, Middlecroft DriveStrensallYorkYO32 5RH01904 492 875

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY(for mailing addresses andMembership fee)Bob Smith,11 Holyknowe CrescentLennoxtown GlasgowG66 7DYTel: 01360 311 300 Fax: 01360 310 645WIDOW’S REPRESENTATIVEMavis Gardner30 Link RoadAnsteyLeicesterLE7 7BYTel:/Fax: 01162 364 737

CAMPAIGN EDITOR andWEB MANAGERJeff Liddiatt13 Wetlands LanePortisheadBristolBS20 6RATel: 01275 848965e-mail: jeff_liddiatt@yahoo.co.uk

BNTVA SHOP MANAGERTrevor Butler75 Woldcarr RoadHullHumbersideHU3 6TRTel: 01482 571 431Fax: 01482 569 241

BNTVA Officers 2008/9 & Executive CommitteePlease do not telephone any of the Officers or Executive Committee members

Outside the following hoursBefore 9.00 am and after 8.00 pm

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BNTVA Shop Window

BNTVA SHOP MANAGERTrevor Butler75 Woldcarr RoadHullHumbersideHU3 6TRTel: 01482 571 431 Fax: 01482 569 241

BadgesCar 3.00

Blazer 12.00 Lapel 2.50Shirts Small 12.50 Medium 12.50 Large 12.50 Ex Large 12.50Ties BNTVA 7.50 Grapple 9.50Fleece 22.00Baseball Caps Blue only 11.00Key rings 2.00Cuff links (pair) 5.00Tie Pins Blue 1.00 BNTVA 3.00Scarf woollen BNTVA 12.00Scarf silk effect BNTVA 13.00Engraved Tankard 20.00

CHAPLAINThe Very Revd Nicholas Frayling BA,LLDDean of ChichesterThe Deanery,Canon Lane,ChichesterWest SussexPO19 1PX

ADVISING SOLICITORIan Greenhalgh LLB15 Beech Hall StreetWiganWN6 7HXTel: 01942 820 202Fax: 0870 250 1340

NATIONAL STANDARD BEARERTerry Washington ‘Little Hey’8 Butley CloseTytheringtonMacclesfieldSK10 2HLTel: 01625 425 970

G2+ CommitteeChairman Martin BlackburnSecretary Janet BirdMembers/AdvisorsTracey MorrisNigel HeapsOwen StevensCarol LongdenSue Tew

Campaign magazine is published by the British Nuclear TestsVeterans Association. Editor: Jeff Liddiatt, 13 Wetlands Lane,Portishead, Bristol BS20 6RA. Tel: 01275 848965. Next issue copyDeadline 30 June 2009. BNTVA is not an anti-nuclear or an anti-warassociation. All opinions, views and quotations do not representofficial BNTVA policy and are the sole responsibility of the writer.Photographs and images – Copyright of owner acknowledged.Campaign cannot guarantee total accuracy for any reproduction ofletters / articles / transcripts. BNTVA is a ‘not for profit’ voluntaryAssociation supporting past and present UK Nuclear Test CombinedService Veterans and their families.

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Branch contact details

East AngliaDerek Chappell11 Fir Tree DriveWest WinchKings LynnPE33 0PO

East MidlandsMarilyn Hall (Mrs)35 Shetland RoadLeicesterLE4 6RS

HumbersideTrevor Butler75 Woldcarr RoadHullHumbersideHU3 6TR

Milton KeynesPat Hurley24 Caxton RoadOld WolvertonMilton KeynesMK12 50PG

ScotlandBob Smith11 Holyknowe CrescentLennoxtownGlasgowG66 7DY

South WalesGron Williams27 Heol MyryddinFfairfachLiandeiloS WalesSA19 6PD

SussexJim Cooper30 Beaumont RoadWorthingSussexBN14 8HD

West YorkshireWally Holdsworth35 Westbourne Crescent,GarforthLeedsL25 1BR

Portsmouth GroupNorman Aplin134 Wych LaneBridgemaryGosportPO13 0TE

AustraliaRon Knight22 Sandalwood CloseBeechboro 6063Western AustraliaBN14 8HD

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This important medal is a joint commission between the Australian and British Nuclear VeteransAssociations providing medallic recognition to veterans who served in nuclear testsite locations and supporting bases in Australia and the Pacific between 1952 and 1967.Next of kin or direct descendants can also apply.

The obverse of the medal depicts the nuclear symbol surrounded by the words 'British NuclearWeapons Tests in Australia & Pacific' and the reverse dramatically features a detonation cloud andthe words 'For Service in Radioactive Areas 1952-1967'. The ribbon is white on theedges representing the blinding white flash that comes before the fireball and then subsidesto the fireball which has the reddish fire in the centre and becomes the familiar mushroom shape.An easy care 100% polyester navy blue tie has been tastefully designed with stripes matching theribbon colours and bears an authenticating label on the reverse.

For further information and/oran application form contactAward Productions Ltd, (Dept. NNL)PO Box 300, Shrewsbury SY5 6WP, U.K.Tel: 01952 510053Fax: 01952 510765E-mail: award@crown-lane.co.uk

www.awardmedals.com

The Australian Nuclear VeteransAssociation and the British NuclearTests Veterans Association are the

beneficiaries of this project.