Manchester launch for Labrats nuclear test education programme

10 months ago 2871

Manchester was honoured to host nuclear test veterans, family members and former Councillors at a very special event held in the City Council Chamber on Friday 7 November. The event was organised by the NFLAs and LABRATS.

The event had two objectives – to mark the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the City Council passing a resolution declaring Manchester the world’s first nuclear-free city and to launch the latest education package recently published by Labrats, a group representing nuclear test veterans and family members in their continued campaign for recognition, access to medical records, and compensation.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Carmine Grimshaw opened the event, with additional comments by Manchester City Council’s military veterans lead, Councillor Tommy Judge. NFLA Secretary Richard Outram then outlined the circumstances which led to the City Council’s historic declaration on 5 November 1980.

The meeting was then addressed by two former Councillors and Lords Mayor, Eddy Newman and Paul Murphy OBE, about their motivation and purpose in being amongst the nine original sponsors to the resolution. They were later joined by their colleague, Colin McLaren, now a Councillor in Oldham. As the Council Chamber was the location where the resolution was carried, this part of the event fittingly concluded with a group photograph alongside the historic plaques previously displayed to mark the declaration. (These plaques will again be on public display in the ground floor Visitor Centre once the refurbished Town Hall reopens).

Alan Owen from Labrats then introduced the education package, which examines the history and impact of British atomic and nuclear weapons testing on veterans and Indigenous communities in Australia and in the Pacific. The package comprises a book, video and online materials. Although primarily aimed at secondary and tertiary age students, the course can be studied by anyone on line and on successful completion participants will be issued with a certificate. Nuclear test veteran John Morris also spoke movingly about how it felt to experience a nuclear blast first hand.

The event concluded with a panel discussion which also included leading campaign spokeperson, Steve Purse, and John’s daughter, educator Elizabeth Bacon.

The event was filmed and the footage can be viewed on Vimeo at:

https://vimeo.com/1135046306?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

The film is password protected, and you will need to input this password Lab7RatsMCC!

Prior to the commencement of the event, a short memorial service was held at the nuclear test veterans memorial stone next to the Cenotaph in the city centre. Wreaths were laid by the Lord Mayor, Tommy and Eddy and by Alan, John and Steve in remembrance of veterans and family members lost, in many instances as a consequence of exposure to radiation. The memorial was held the day before the 68th anniversary of Operation Grapple, the first British test of a hydrogen bomb at Christmas Island (now Kiribati) on 8 November 1957.

Manchester City Council and the Manchester-based UK/Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities have been ardent supporters of the nuclear test veteran campaign, and have worked closely with LABRATS on a range of related issues.

A priority for the NFLAs and LABRATS will be pressing the Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer to honour his promise to meet with veterans before Christmas.

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For more information please email NFLA Secretary Richard Outram at richard.outram@manchester.gov.uk

LABRATS

LABRATS represents nuclear veterans, atomic veterans, scientists, civilians, and their families across the world who have been affected by the Atomic / Nuclear Testing program. We are one big family, connected with one common bond. Through our Associate membership and Annual reunion, we offer comradeship to our Atomic Family.

The Atomic family includes Veterans, civilians, descendants, indigenous people and organisations that represent all aspects of the Atomic / Nuclear tests.

https://www.labrats.international/

Education Program

British Nuclear Testing – An Introduction is a suite of material which has been produced to educate the world regarding British Nuclear Testing, consisting of a Book, Educational video and online course which is complimented by Oral Histories of the veterans themselves. All material is free to use for educational purposes.

https://www.labratsacademy.online/ukeducation