Campaigner remained true to his beliefs
By Western Daily Press | Wednesday, October 03, 2012, 09:00
Tributes have flowed in for Crispin Aubrey, journalist, author, and anti-nuclear campaigner, who died after suffering a heart attack last Friday.
Mr Aubrey, 66, who lived near Cannington, Somerset, was a leading member of the Stop Hinkley campaign and was involved with his wife in the original protest against the proposed Hinkley C nuclear power station more than 20 years ago.
Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger, whose constituency includes Hinkley Point power station, said yesterday: "We had our differences over the years but Crispin Aubrey was a kind, courteous, understanding man. He was always straightforward, and someone who brought an awful lot of common sense to the debate. He was someone to be respected as a person and as a campaigner."
Pressure group Parents Concerned About Hinkley said: "Parents Against Hinkley are grieving the death of Crispin Aubrey who has spent much of his life trying to protect the public from the ravages of poisonous discharges from nuclear power stations. This year Crispin has been with us at many government meetings trying to stop EDF building two new EDF nuclear reactors on the Somerset nuclear site, known as Hinkley C. Our most recent meeting was with the Office for Nuclear Regulation in Bridgwater last Wednesday."
Mr Aubrey was involved on the press side of Glastonbury Festival, courteously handling the international media who descended on Worthy Farm. He often did so with a wry smile, and with a steady hand on the tiller.
"He was a serious man with a humorous side, always engaging, with a steady gaze, and you always felt that he was listening. He was always a delight to meet," said photographer Steve Roberts, who dealt with Mr Aubrey over many years at the festival.
Not one to push himself into the forefront in any situation, quiet determination was his nature.
Jo Brown of Parents Concerned About Hinkley added: "Fewer and fewer of us are now left to try to stop the 45-year death toll from the Hinkley Point nuclear site. We shall continue to grieve for Crispin and never forget what he has done for us for so many years."
Mr Aubrey was planning to speak at a planned Hinkley C protest rally next weekend.
An Oxford graduate, he began his journalistic career as a general reporter on the Hampshire Chronicle.
He joined Time Out magazine and was one of the first investigative reporters to focus on the environment and nuclear energy. He came to prominence when he was arrested under the Official Secrets Act in 1977. He and fellow defendants John Berry and Duncan Campbell made national headlines when they appeared at the Old Bailey. They were convicted on a lesser charge and given non-custodial sentences.
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Latest News on The Stop Nu-Nukes campaign..
ANTI-NUCLEAR BARNSTORMERS
RAISE NEW BARN AT HINKLEY POINT
Anti-nuclear campaigners have raised a 10 metre barn at the centre of a new protest camp at Hinkley point in Somerset. The camp, on common land at North Wick Moor, will be the base for a weekend of action in West Somerset, ending with a "mass trespass" at the proposed Hinkley C development site on Monday.
About a dozen people entered the
land in pouring rain at 2 am on Friday morning to establish the camp. Earlier this year southwest protesters occupied an abandoned farm on land owned by EDF, who want to build a new nuclear power plant there. The group, who called themselves "the barnstormers", were evicted when the French company obtained a High court injunction against them in March.
Speaking from the new temporary camp, which will house protesters from all over Britain this weekend, Bridgwater activist Nikki Clarke said, " EDF have demolished the historic barns and bat-roosts on the Hinkley C site, so we have raised a new one here, and we will keep coming back until these plans for a new radioactive waste factory have been abandoned. Many people will be coming to the march and rally in Bridgwater on Saturday, and some of them will need a place to stay. The barn provides cover for our camp kitchen and meetings - and if musicians arrive we'll have a barn dance on Saturday night! Everyone's welcome."
Another Barn-raiser, Shana Deal who is also named in the EDF injunction, said, " We are here until Monday, when there will be a mass-trespass on the land which EDF have fenced off. It is too late to save the West Quantock ancient woodland and many of the habitats which EDF have destroyed before they even have planning permission for the new plant, but we will be planting native species on the site as the first step to restoring it for future generations, if, as now seems likely, EDF abandon their plans."
Stop New Nuclear member Theo Simon says, "This week has not been good for new nuclear in the UK. Chinese investors have pulled out, councillors in Cumbria have delayed a decision on storing future radioactive waste, and a report by Europe's Energy Commission said the existing reactors across Europe will need a further 25 billion to make them safe. Nuclear is dead in the water and will only go ahead if corporations like EDF can get public subsidies from consumers and workers taxes– but that is like turkeys voting for Christmas. We urge people across the southwest to join our rally at Bridgwater on Saturday. It is definitely not too late to stop EDF turning West Somerset into a nuclear danger zone for the next 200 or more years."
Coaches are coming from Bath, Bristol and Glastonbury for the rally which will be addressed by ex-nuclear workers, local residents, band Seize The Day, and guests from Fukushima and the anti-nuclear movement in India. Theo Simon will read a statement prepared from the notes of Crispin Aubrey, the Stop Hinkley campaign founder who died last week while organising the event. On Monday, the new leader of the Green party (Natalie Bennett) will be joining the mass trespass.
By Mustard3seed at 16:04 on 05/10/12
ReportSuch a lovely man, I was very moved by his words last year at Hinkley point. I was going again this year anyway and really looking forward to seeing him again... ah well, God speed my friend. I will remember you as we march in Bridgewater on Saturday.
So, continuing to achieve Chrispin's dream and party with him in spirit at the Stop Hinkley Protest this year is now just one other motivation for me to go again and warn people of this deadly threat to us,our children and our children's children and theirs also, for hundreds of years into the future.
there is a 57 Seater Coach booked and everyone is invited! Some seats are already taken so please book asap in case we need to book another one...
the more the merrier!
It will depart from the Town Hall Car Park in Glastonbury at 10:00am
Saturday 6th October.
To Book call Earl on 01458 834395
Please be there in plenty of time. (suggested time to meet in car park 9:30am). Return time tba (either leaving Bridgwater 3:30pm after the march or 5:30pm depending on the majority wishes... as there will be a 'Die-In' at the gates after the demo finishes). tba so let Earl know your preferences when you phone to book your seat(s).
Return Tickets are: £9 waged and £5 unwaged
Some may want to stay and 'camp' so
One way Tickets are: £5 waged and £3 unwaged
But please bear in mind you will have to find your own way back home if you book a one-way.
Message from Jo & Nikki from Stop Hinkley campaign:
"It is a crucial time in this campaign and we know from action and meetings that we have been involved with recently, that people standing together and being willing to put themselves out, makes a huge impact on EDF and the machine that runs it. They get worried when a diverse bunch of individuals have a common cause and are willing to spend time and effort shouting about that cause. It's about the power of the individual and a collection of individuals is powerful when their intent is sincere.
Please spread the word about the action this weekend 6th Oct in Bridgwater
Come on Glastonbury let's swell the numbers at the Stop Hinkley demo... there are people coming from all over England & we're just down the road. It will be a great event. Bring what you would like to find there.
NB....80Km exclusion zone around Hinkley and we are in the 30Km. Stay inside zone! Staying inside will not save us. Check out how the people of Fukishima are today.
By Mustard3seed at 21:36 on 04/10/12
Report