In 1981 a group of 36 women walked from Cardiff, Wales, to Newbury, Berkshire. It took them ten days to walk the 110 miles, some pushing children in pushchairs, sleeping in tents and church halls on the way. Their peaceful protest was against the siting of American nuclear missiles on British common land. On arrival they set up camp outside RAF Greenham Common. This was the beginning of the legendary Greenham Women’s Peace Camp.

Despite this being the largest female-led protest since suffrage, this extraordinary event has largely been written out of history. So to mark it’s 40th anniversary, and to get people talking again about the achievements of these remarkable women, the group Greenham Women Everywhere (GWE) are re-creating the march; following as close as possible to the original route and staying overnight in the same areas.

I photographed the Greenham Women’s Peace Camp in 1985 when I was a photography student, and now GWE have invited me to join them on their new march. I will be documenting the walkers, the rallies, the camping, the singing and the many cups of tea. From when the march leaves Cardiff, and throughout the following ten days until arrival at Greenham Common.

It will be a huge honor to be part of this pilgrimage. I hope that my photography will help highlight the importance of peaceful protest, and the remarkable achievements made by the original Greenham Women.

For more information about Greenham Women Everywhere and details of the march please click here

If you would like to buy me or my assistant a cup of tea to fuel us on our journey I have set up an account with ko-fi here.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor to help me bring this project to fruition, I would love to hear from you. The easiest way is to DM me through my Instagram channel, or message me through my website www.wendycarrig.co.uk

Many thanks as always for your support and for reading my blog.

Wendy x

What Greenham Women Everywhere say :

“The timing couldn’t be more crucial as we face the multiple, cascading crises of the climate emergency, nuclear weapons escalation, daily violence against women, extreme hunger, social inequality – and so much more. We need to stand on the shoulders of our foremothers and carry their campaigns for peace and justice forward, while securing the Greenham Women’s unique place in activist history.”