On Good Friday 1958 a popular peace movement was born - 10,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square to demonstrate against Britain's first hydrogen bomb tests. Over the next four days, they braved rain and snow to march over 50 miles to the Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Research Establishment in Berkshire - to this day the guardian of Britain's nuclear weapons programme. Nearly half a century later this coming Easter weekend, the Aldermaston march takes place again, this time to celebrate 50 years of anti-nuclear protest in Britain. The event became an annual pilgrimage in the 1960's, with more marchers traversing the route every year. Although seen by some as not quite the urgent issue it was in the 50's and 60's, the planned multi-billion pound redevelopment of the site has added a new urgency to the situation. The redevelopment plans include a new so-called "capability" to design a successor to Trident - Britain's nuclear deterent - which is due for replacement in 2010. One member of the public going on the march commented on the differences with the demos against the Iraq war. "This is a very different situation," she said, "this is one where the power of the people can prevent this very dangerous development." The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmement (CND) is gathering to surround the base on Easter Monday the 24th March. A spokesperson for the group said the aim of the event was to surround the base and hold a day of entertainment, music and theatre. Fancy dress will also be encouraged, including nuclear cowboys and flower people!

Anyone interested in travelling by coach from Brighton (at a cost of £10) should get in touch with Nina Eaton at 01273 612100 (07766185789) or at nina.eaton@sussexdowns.ac.uk [1]