Interfaith Peace Walk Towards a Nuclear Free Future
Dublin to London, April-June - 2007
Day 31 - June 12th, 2007: Kirkcudbright – Talieasan
|
Home Day Log Index |
Packed up, cleaned up and ate the left over sweet tarts from the night before. Well rested and fed we began our walk to the Dundrennan Military Test Range.
The day was misty & foggy giving the mood an eery feel especially as we neared the range. We walked in silence, and joined by Erik who carried a wooden cross on his shoulders up and over the beautiful land. Dan was taking no chances and had is full white protective gear on!! 
We reached the front gates to be greeted by the local Church of Scotland minister Rev. Allistair Mackichan, Nigel Davies, Commandant of the Range and a few local people with great banners “DU Kills and Keeps on Killing”.
In contrast to what the local people believe Nigel Davies claimed that the radiation levels in Solway Firth where due to Sellafield and Chapelcross and not the small weapons testing that is carried out at Dundrennan. He said he has worked at the range for 22 years and has no concerns. Adding to his comments he stated that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) must make all uranium firing exercises public and official and that no way can testing can go on in secret. However many of the local people disputed these claims and believe that the high levels of leukaemia are due to the firing of depleted uranium shells, and argued then why the Government will not release childhood leukaemia figures in this area.
All of the walkers felt it was really important to visit Dundrennan as it makes the connections between the effects of the nuclear industry easier to understand. What is happening here in Dundrennan affects us all, as the uranium has to be mined in countries like Australia and Canada then transported all around the world affecting the oceans, processed & enriched in facilities that affect the local people and environment world wide. In Australia a very similar occurrence is happening with the land being taken away from farmers and indigenous people for such testing. In America where Cameron and Bernie are from there is a submarine base called Bangor and for both of them they can relate to the issues of the local people as they have had a similar experience. So the walk can really build relationships, connections and walk in solidarity with the people of Dundrennan but also with the people all around the world who continue to be displaced, and surrounded by a dirty, dangerous industry.
We held a beautiful ceremony “to remember” before continuing the walk along the Tank Rd of the Military Range.
Rev. Alisistair and his partner had put together a delicious feast, and as Dan would say “the Peace Locusts” have arrived to eat. After sharing the meal with local people (who had heard about the walk on the radio), we went down to the 12th Century Cistercian Abbey for a peace circle and to share stories about the area.
A local T.V crew came to do a story on the walk and interviewed many of the people in the circle who expressed their concern about the Military Range. As one women mentioned, “even if they are not still testing as the MOD claim then they should be responsible for the clean-up. There has been a lot of DU bullets fired into the Irish Sea and just left. Who will do this clean up, and how can they be allowed to get away with this?
With the backdrop of the Abbey, and the misty weather the circle was powerful. I could feel a strong energy amongst the people coming together and this for me was amazing to be a part of. I guess it does give the opportunity for people to have space and gather strength, and for one particular woman this is what is needed.
Annathea - a middle aged women, is fighting for her life due to cancer she believes from a nuclear power plant she lived near as a child. Her sister also has suffered from cancer. Amongst tears, and support she told how she wants the “whole industry shut down before it claims another life”, and “that no-one should have this terrible experience of suffering”. There was a long silence, and many tears dropped to the ground – a healing circle, tears for the earth to heal. This is why I walk. The Rev. Douglas Irving (from Kirkcudbright) spoke about the walkers and thanked them for coming “to bring lightness in a period of darkness”.
The circle finished and we had time to wander about the Abbey grounds in peace. This was a time of reflection after an incredibly powerful healing circle. 
We walked on. It was late when we finished the walk today. We had another stop for more tea and biscuits, and then the rain came. For the last few miles of the walk we walked in the rain and amongst the beauty of green mountains and running water. The water was purifying after a heavy day and it was good to arrive at Talieasan – a our rustic home in the woods for the night. It was so beautiful. We had two huts for sleeping and staying dry and an open fire. Perfect for rejuvenating our spirit. Erik brought over his drums and we had some great drumming over dinner – which was prepared by Fiona and her sister Annathea.
Thank you so much to everyone who came and supported the walk in so many ways that its difficult to write about each one. But we are walking with you all. Many stories shared around the fire as we kept warm and the rain held off. Sweet Dreams….
|
|
|
|
|
PeacehqHome |
|
|
FootPrints For Peace Home |
Feedback |
|
Help |
 Jeff |
 Tyler |
 Larry |
 Jim |
 Marcus |
 Jason |
 K-A |
 Ray |
|
|