CND Turnpike Lane 1961

Comment by Barrie Maskell on December 27, 2024 at 16:45

The reference to the CND movement evokes a distant memory of the only protest march I have ever been on. I would have liked to have been on others but I'm afraid the standard feeble excuse applies, too busy!  Anyway if I had to choose just one march this would be it. It was Easter 1961 and as a college student I was invited to take part in one of the largest ever marches to take place in the UK. So large that it was decided to split the 150,000 marchers into two, one to the Atomic Research Establishment at Aldermaston in Berkshire the other to Weathersfield US Air Force Base, Essex. I was part of the latter group and was in a unit known as 'Magenta', consisting of marchers from London, Essex and Surrey and lead by Cannon Collins of St Paul's Cathedral. The organisation, considering the numbers, was good. Lines of coaches, ready to take us on our way were waiting for us and within a few hours we had reached our destination. The following day we began the march and at night slept on the floor of school classrooms, halls, staff rooms in fact wherever we could find a space. Singing with guitar accompaniment well into each night. Food was basic but plentiful. The marching was at a steady pace, weather never varied from being misty and rainy. Families would often join us for a few miles and then peel off. A carnival atmosphere prevailed with various jazz bands adding to the mix along the way. I believe it was on the Saturday night that word got through to us of potential trouble, a counter demonstration was planned at our over night stop, however the location was changed and all was well. I never experienced any trouble during the whole weekend. We arrived at Trafalgar Square weary, not so much from the walking but from the late nights. On the last day there were speeches made by the leaders but I can't say I took them in. By that time we just wanted to take the bus home and have a hot bath.

One of the organisers of the march, co-founder for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace campaigner was Pat Arrowsmith, she served eleven prison sentences for her political beliefs. When not behind bars she lived in Middle Lane, Harringay. 

Comment by Roy aka Smiffy on December 28, 2024 at 8:55

These two photos I took in 1961 outside HMP Holloway when Pat Arrowsmith was imprisoned.

Comment by Hugh on December 28, 2024 at 11:13

Thanks, Roy.

Comment by Barrie Maskell on December 28, 2024 at 12:23

Thank you Roy for sharing these photographs.

Comment by Roy aka Smiffy on December 28, 2024 at 13:45

For some time Pat Arrowsmith lived up the hill from me, at Highbury Barn and I'd often drop campaign leaflets off to her for distribution.

I hope the following will not be too boring but it’s just a little background behind the photos.

 Those photos changed the course of my life. It's 1961and I'd just bought a 'decent' camera, a Minolta 35mm Hi-Matic.

At Manor House I got the bus to go to the West End to take some pictures with my new camera.

Passing the old grim but photogenic Holloway prison noticed some activity, a CND protest! I jumped off the bus and took these photos. I got chatting to the people who asked me to take their picture and was told that there was to be a 'demo' against nuclear weapons ‘the bomb’ in Trafalgar Square that day.

Not quite sure what to expect but armed with my new camera I was eager to take some pictures I was off. Only the one picture taken in Trafalgar Square has survived, but maybe that is all I took. But the ones outside the prison I was happy with - note the gent in bowler had and young people sitting in the road.

There was also a group of young people (my age) sitting the other side of the prison entrance who I sat and talked to. They also were also going to the Trafalgar Square demo then onto the Duke of York pub. Then, for quite a few years Kenny, Ken and Rod became part of my life. Rod was popular, a good guitarist and folk singer, a great one to be around.

He went on to find fame, as we all knew he would, Rod Stewart.

I will add that if I had not jumped off that bus on an impulse, taken those photos, met some interesting CND people, gone to a ‘beatnik’ pub (The Duke of York, in Rathbone Street) there met Mick G who told me about Portobello Road antique market,, met Jon K and Jeff C in P. Rd who told me to get a job at Berman's the film and theatrical costumiers where I met  Monika who I married - which led to further adventures!

Comment by Hugh on December 28, 2024 at 14:47

Great story, Roy. Is Rod S in that photo?

Comment by Roy aka Smiffy on December 28, 2024 at 15:05

No, he's not. I must have been conserving my film!

But I did take pictures afterwards and have shared them on YT and they have been published in 'Smiler' Rod's official fan mag

https://youtu.be/_XanSfxOt8g?si=hYg3rrYQn8sK6LBB

https://youtu.be/3O7sHa5Z8pU?si=C_rZ-fUccNpgWq2C

Now, here's another twist. We became related by the marriage of distant relations!

Comment by Barrie Maskell on December 28, 2024 at 15:26

Fascinating, looking forward to the sequel.

Comment by Hugh on December 28, 2024 at 15:43

Well, I never! What a great set of memories for you. Thanks so much for sharing them here.

Comment by Richard Woods on January 7, 2025 at 17:16

My recollection is that we were meeting up to go into London for one of the big marches but it may have been a different time. I do not recognise any and am not there but the shock of hair beyond the woman with spec could have been Cliff Booth. 

Add a Comment

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page