Slindon Peace March

In a Downland village, where a procession normally means ducklings trailing behind their mother beside the picturesque pond, around 100 people marched against the threat of war on Iraq.

Among them were retired armed services people, unconvinced that the case for a 21st century war has been made, and seasoned campaigner Anita Roddick, who moved to Slindon a few years ago.

Mrs Roddick was one of a number of people to speak at the village war memorial, urging world leaders to "give peace a chance" before marching into Iraq. Others included the Rev Gillian Cossar, of the village's Anglican Church, and retired Wing Cdr Buster Briggs, DFC.

Peaceful protesters of all ages took part in Slindon's demonstration, joined by people from neighbouring villages and from Arundel.

It was organised by Slindon residents John Clarke, Phil Berry, Lady Caroline Marshall, wife of former Tory MP for Arundel, Sir Michael Marshall, Betty Beaty and her daughter Carole Beaty.

"Carole and I had been on the peace march in London and found it very inspiring. The next day, we were having Sunday lunch with our friends John and Phil, and after we described the march to them, Phil said we should have our own march in Slindon.

"It was very spontaneous. Our only publicity was by phoning people up, putting up posters and word of mouth. John and Phil contacted Lady Caroline, and she organised and served the coffee at the Catholic Church at the end of the march.

"I was very moved by how it went. The speakers were so good, they spoke so spontaneously and so much from the heart. It was a great bonus to have Anita Roddick turn up on the day and give a lovely speech at the war memorial," said Betty, 83, who served in Bomber Command as a Section Officer during the Second World War and whose late husband, Sqn Ldr David Beaty, was awarded the DFC and Bar for his courage in action with Coastal Command during that war.

Betty said it was their own experiences of the horrors of war and weapons of mass destruction, particularly the atomic bombs dropped on Japan, that later led the couple to join the retired services' branch of CND and take part in anti-nuclear marches. That approach also underpinned her husband's peacetime work as a leading writer on warfare and aviation.

"Having been in Bomber Command, I know it's a deadly business. Personally, I have never found service people gung-ho about war. Those who have seen it take a much more measured view.

"Yes, if it is a legal and moral war, you fight it to the end. Hitler had to be stopped. He was going to rampage all over Europe. But the case for invading Iraq has not been made in the same way.

"You have to remain hopeful and I am glad we made our point by marching. But I fear war is inevitable, now. When you build up such a huge war machine as the Americans now have over there, they won't just turn round and send it back."