Roger's 80th birthday

Saturday night saw a seriously good party in Horsley - veteran peace campaigner Roger Franklin had his 80th birthday party - family and friends descended on the village hall for some great dancing and an exceptional spread of food.

Photo: Party invite

Roger has campaigned tirelessly against nuclear and war - especially with the Trident Ploughshares campaign - his home in Tickmorend is famous for it's signs celebrating it is a "Nuclear-Free Zone", he has written many letters to the local press, helped set up Resurgence for which he wrote occasionally, has been a great support to local Green party media work, been on numerous demonstrations like at Faslane and gone to prison for his refusal to pay for war.

Roger was unfortunately not his usual bright self due to an illness but still managed to get around and talk to lots of people - I really admire this guy and the courage he has to take on the establishment - I remember years ago when I first met him properly - I lived in Walkley Wood not far down the road from his home and was invited to call in for tea - which we had in his homemade mugs in his kitchen with some great debates and conversations before going off canvassing.

Anyhow I could go on lots more - a seriously monster-sized chocolate cake with the CND symbol was cut by Roger - it tasted amazing!!! There were several speechs including from John Papworth - who was one of the original group that set up Resurgence and then went on to establish the Fourth World Review - he was famous in 1999 for being the Reverend that was ticked off by the Church of England for preaching to his congregation that it was okay to steal from supermarkets if you were poor and hungry. At the time much of the press treated his comments as 'beyond the pale' but he struck a chord with many who were fed up with the supermarket consumer culture.

After being in London I had to leave a little early so missed the rest of the dancing and all but it apparently got better and better!! Meanwhile the same night Transition Stroud were celebrating at Slad farm with a day of events and party in the evening.