Hundreds Join Peaceful Blockade at Hinkley Gates

Up to 400 people joined a peaceful blockade at the gates of Hinkley Point power station on Monday, 3 October, in protest at EDF's plans for the largest nuclear plant ever built in the UK.

Protesters came from all over the country and overseas, including many local Stop Hinkley supporters, and stayed in front of the closed main gates for nine hours, from daybreak at 7am until after 4pm. There were numerous colourful banners, street theatre re-creating a Fukishima-style evacuation and music from the band Seize the Day.

At mid-day, after a minute's silence, 206 yellow balloons with nuclear hazard signs were released into a blue sky, representing the number of days since the Japanese nuclear disaster. Some carried as far away as Gloucestershire in a matter of hours, showing how quickly radiation could spread in the event of an accident at the plant.

The core message given out by the protest was that a new nuclear power station at Hinkley would bring even greater danger to the South West and - especially after Germany 's decision to phase out nuclear - is simply not needed to keep the lights on.

There was extensive media coverage on BBC and ITV channels, including the Daybreak breakfast show and BBC News Channel, as well as in the radio and newspapers.

See full report at http://www.stopnewnuclear.org.uk/node/177

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Bridgwater March Against Hinkley C

More than 150 people marched through Bridgwater on Saturday 1 October 2011 to protest against EDF Energy's plan to construct Hinkley Point "C" nuclear power station, the largest ever planned in Britain.

Protesters converged opposite EDF Energy's regional headquarters in Kings Square with an array of costumes and banners before marching through the town centre. The leading banner read "Stop New Nuclear" and spread right across the road, stopping traffic on the last day of Bridgwater's annual fair.

Two protesters were dressed as the grim reaper and carried a large banner saying: 'Nuclear energy: the death of a safe, affordable future. Boycott EDF.' A choir from Wales sang songs opposing a new reactor proposed for Wylfa nuclear power station on Anglesey.

After the march, a rally in the Cornhill shopping area was addressed by speakers from anti-nuclear groups, including Stop Hinkley, CND and Greenpeace France, who explained the dangers of nuclear power and the realistic alternatives.

For full report and photos go to http://www.stopnewnuclear.org.uk/node/167

For ITV West Country report go to http://www.itv.com/westcountry-west/