Statement representing our MM stance:

"A group of Quakers from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire meets for silent worship on the fourth Saturday of each month at 2.00 pm outside Fairford air base where the vast hangar, able to house and service the new ultra high tech B2 stealth bomber has recently been completed.

This group believes that peace and security can be better achieved by removing the causes of conflict rather than relying on ever more costly and sophisticated weapons systems like the B2 bomber. Conflicts can arise from many causes: poverty, environmental degradation with struggles over diminishing resources (which can lead to loss of fresh water and production), lack of respect for different religions and races and support given to repressive regimes in many parts of the world.

We hope that people in Britain will think carefully: do we want to be tied permanently into a strategy which - even by US military planners - is forecast to lead to further wars? Or do we want to seek peace and security by putting our efforts into conflict resolution, and by tackling the question of limited resources (for instance, developing alternatives to oil), and by promoting sustainable development - particularly in poorer countries?

The Meeting for Worship at the base is a small symbol of hope for a peaceful future. We welcome others with similar convictions to join us."

The status of the land at USAF Fairford:

Information obtained from the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB)

Although this land is occupied and controlled by the US Visiting Forces, it is actually owned by the UK Secretary of State for Defence, but has been handed over free of charge for the US to do what it wants with it. The buildings, however, are paid for, owned and controlled by the US. Worryingly there are no leases either. The above also applies to all other US-occupied and controlled bases on UK soil. This is all part of the 'special relationship' between both countries.