Greenham Common Peace Garden handed to trust

Activists were present at the camp for almost 20 years.

A garden which commemorates the Greenham Peace Women's protest against nuclear weapons has been handed to a trust in Berkshire.

The Women's Peace Camp was set up in 1981 in opposition to the former nuclear airbase. It closed in 2000.

Former activists handed the garden, located opposite Greenham Business Park, to Greenham Common Trust.

Sarah Hipperson, who lived at the site for 17 years, described it as a "fitting end to the protest".

'Differences aside'

The 87-year-old, who was one of the last women to leave the camp, said: "It is 14 years since the memorial peace garden was opened to mark the commitment and determination of women in their efforts to make this world a more peaceful place.

"The garden was maintained by the peace women through a commemorative fund appeal. But the time has come to ask the owner of the site Greenham Common Trust to take over the management of the site which they have kindly agreed to.

"It is a fitting end to the protest. At the end of the day you have to put your differences aside and give things back to the community. Long after we are gone people will be saying: 'What happened here?'"

The site represents the four elements of earth, fire, water and air and is planted with British species.

It includes a flame sculpture, which symbolizes the campfire, and a stone and steel spiral sculpture, engraved with the words "You can't kill the Spirit".

A tree was planted to mark the official handover.

Greenham Common Trust chief executive Chris Boulton said: "The Peace Garden marks an important part of the history of Greenham Common. The trust would like to thank Sarah and the other peace women for the upkeep of the garden and for asking us to manage it in the future."