Calder CND to protest against Trident renewal

Members of Calder Valley CND for Peace and Justice have been touring their own Trident nuclear missile around towns in the Calder Valley to demonstrate their opposition to government proposals to replace Britain’s nuclear weapons system.

The 20 foot missile turned heads on the market in Todmorden and in St George’s Square on an unusually sunny day in the valley. The missile sparked discussion around the town on alternatives to nuclear spending.

The banners along the side read ‘Yorkshire needs flood defences not nuclear offences’ and ‘Scrap Trident not public services’.

Parliament is set to vote on the next stage of the future of the British nuclear weapons delivery system in the next few weeks, and with public opposition at an all time high, the campaigners hope to put further pressure on MPs to reject plans to replace the weapons system.

Kathy Pitt, from Hebden Bridge said: “£183 billion is just an outrageous sum of money to be spending on a weapon that we can’t ever conceivably use. If only a fraction of that money was spent on flood defences it would help protect us from the real threats we face in the future, like the effects of climate change, rather than being wasted on something which makes us more unsafe.”

Coaches are picking up in Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Halifax. Tickets cost from £5 return and can be booked by phoning 07980 29147. The group will also be holding a demo on Saturday, March 19 at 11am in Hebden Bridge.