The origin of Britain's civil nuclear programme is closely linked with nuclear weapons. The first reactor - the "Windscale Piles" at Sellafield, began producing plutonium for nuclear weapons 1950. Britain's first commercial reactor - Calder Hall at Sellafield - was a dual-purpose reactor, with the main purpose being the production of plutionum for Britain's nuclear weapons. The same applies to the second commercial reactor at Chapelcross.
Later reactors were primarily built for the production of electricity, and in April 1995 the UK Government announced that all production of plutonium for weapons purposes had ceased.
At its peak in 1997, about 26% of Britain's electricity was generated by nuclear power. This has now gone down to less than 20%, and only 16% in 2009.
At present, the government wants to build new nuclear power stations at eight sites - all of which are existing nuclear sites. However, opposition to nuclear power is again growing. This website provides information for the growing anti nuclear power movement in Britain, with a special focus on nonviolent direct action against nuclear power.
Recent posts
23 Mar 2011 - 19:10
freeB.E.A.G.L.E.S. is a non-profit collective run by campaigners for campaigners. The articles provided are equally applicable to human rights, animal rights and environmental activists. If you see any errors, or would like to see anything included, or have links to suggest, please let us know by dropping an email to info@freebeagles.org. We are always looking to cover relevant legal issue. We have a PGP key available for use by those with privacy concerns; email us with your public key and we will reply with our own.
23 Mar 2011 - 19:08
The Activists' Legal Project is a not for profit collective which provides information about the law to a wide range of grassroots social change activists as well as people who are considering taking action for the first time. We provide information sheets on legal issues relevant to direct activists and offer free legal workshops facilitated by activists, with first hand experience of the criminal and civil 'justice' systems.
23 Mar 2011 - 13:49
Social change doesn't just happen. It's the result of the work of committed people striving for a world of justice and peace. This work gestates in groups or cells of activists, in discussions, in training sessions, in reflecting on previous experiences, in planning, in experimenting and in learning from others. Preparing ourselves for our work for social justice is key to its success.
This handbook shares what people have already developed in different contexts.
22 Mar 2011 - 16:42
"This is a handbook for direct action. It's not the only- there are thousands: every gardner's guide is a direct action handbook, as is every cookbook. Any action that side-steps regulations, representatives, and authorities to accomplish goas is direct action. In a society in which political power, economic capital, and social control are centralized in teh hands of an elite, certain forms of direct action are discouraged, to say the least; this book is about those in particular, for anyoen who wants to take control of her life and accept responsibility for her part in determining the fat of humanity.
22 Mar 2011 - 14:12
Contents of this handbook
1.Why take direct action
2. Ideas for nonviolent direct action
3. How to plan an action
4. Affinity groups
5.The buddy system
6. Roles during actions
20 Mar 2011 - 01:00
We Urge the Japanese Government to Take the Following Actions Regarding the Crisis at the Fukushima Nuclear Plants:
Despite strenuous efforts, there is an increasing danger that large amounts of radioactive material might be released from Unit No. 3, which is loaded with fuel containing plutonium. We are particularly concerned about the people currently within the 20-30 km zone from Fukushima Daiichi, who have been instructed to stay indoors until further notice. These people should be evacuated as quickly as possible far away from the nuclear plant.
18 Mar 2011 - 01:00
At the Fukushima Nuclear Plants, an extremely serious situation continues. So far, large amounts of radioactive materials have not been released, but in the worst case, this could happen. Specifically, one or more of the following could occur:
1) a complete meltdown of the nuclear fuel as a result of a further lowering of the water level within a nuclear reactor,
2) a large-scale explosion, and
3) release of a large amount of radiation from the spent fuel storage pools.
18 Mar 2011 - 01:00
On March 15, we stated,
“The recent accidents at Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plants are severe and beyond the scope of nuclear-reactor design conditions. An extremely serious situation is continuing.”
Unfortunately, this statement remains true today.
17 Mar 2011 - 19:23
Kick Nuclear Press release - 17 March 2011
As the tragedy at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in north-east Japan continues to unfold, campaign group Kick Nuclear is joining anti-nuclear activists from around the UK to plan a series of demonstrations and direct action events.
Spokeswoman Nancy Birch says:
17 Mar 2011 - 01:00
Press Release - 17 th March 2011
Campaigners have sent an open letter to West Somerset Council, asking them to coordinate action over land found to be contaminated on the proposed Hinkley C site.
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