IT was only a small number of protesters, but from these small beginnings the anti-nuclear bomb lobby in Scotland grew tremendously over the years. These placard carriers are grouped outside the Clyde Naval Establishment in Greenock in 1960 where Royal Navy chiefs were holding a meeting with local councils to explain the impact of the proposed US Polaris base on the Holy Loch which opened the following year.
The Navy chaps were keen, presumably, to emphasise that of the 1500 expected American personnel, some 400 would live off base, contributing hugely to local economies. Outside the protesters were more concerned about a nuclear war bringing untold death and destruction to Scotland. As one placard states: "Greenock wants work not grave digging."
Oh and the placard stating "U2 say no to Polaris" is not a time traveller representing the future Irish rock band, but a reference to the American U2 spy plane which had been shot down earlier that year over Russia, increasing tensions in the Cold War. A clever play on words really.
The Evening Times reported the same day that the Labour Party was torn over whether to back the nuclear weapons - a battle still going on in the party today.
The US base went ahead, and was active on the Holy Loch until its closure in 1992. Protests at the Royal Nave base at Faslane still continue.
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