CND Cymru National Archive,

Correspondence and papers, 1915-2005, relating to the work and activities of CND Cymru/CND Wales. They comprise papers, 1975-2004, relating to various campaigns and events in which CND Cymru became involved (two series); records, 1986-2004, reflecting various campaigns in which CND Cymru became involved and its work with other organisations, including a large number of journals, leaflets and other publications issued by these groups and organisations; records, 1915-2005, deriving from the internal administration of CND Cymru, including the agenda and minutes of meetings, 1993-2004, and incoming and copies of outgoing letters, 1990-2004; papers, 1979-2005, relating to a large number of groups and organisations within Wales and their publications; papers, 1984-2004, concerning Iraq: sanctions against Iraq, opposition to the Iraqi War, and peace festivals and anti-war protests; material concerning Chernobyl, 1986-2004; material, 1991-1999, relating to the Trawsfynydd Power Station; and printed items, 1961-2004, including printed material relating to several local peace groups in south Wales and leaflet and pamphlet material.
An additional consignment of papers relating to the work of CND Cymru. A comprehensive list is included in Box 1(i). A box of posters and other ephemera was also deposited.

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is a British movement, founded in 1958, which seeks the eradication of all nuclear weapons. CND was founded in reaction to the British government's decision in 1957 to become the third country to test a thermonuclear weapon. There were protest marches at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston, Hampshire, from 1958 into the early 1960s. CND became a membership organization in 1966 and continued throughout the 1970s as a smaller, but nevertheless active, movement. The arrival of Cruise Missiles and Trident in Britain led to a revival of the campaign in the 1980s, and CND subsequently became the largest group of its kind in Britain. The focus of CND activities broadened since the 1950s, and they now encompass a wide range of issues relating to nuclear weapons, such as peace, military activity, and nuclear power in general. A branch of CND was established in Cardiff in 1958, and small local anti-nuclear groups appeared in other parts of Wales, such as the Aberystwyth Committee on Nuclear Weapons. These independent groups later became affiliated to the Welsh National Council of CND. The National Council remained a distinctively Welsh organization, and this Welshness still characterizes the activities of its successor, CND Cymru, set up in 1981. CND Cymru works for international peace and disarmament and a world in which the vast resources now devoted to militarism are redirected to the real needs of the community and the environment. The organisation aims to achieve a non-violent, nuclear-free world based on respect for human rights and the rights of all life. CND Cymru works through lobbying, participating in demonstrations, organising events and taking part in non-violent direct action. It is also involved in education work, drawing attention to important issues. In particular, CND Cymru's recent focus has been to draw attention to the obscenity of the British Nuclear Weapons System, Trident. The organisation offers solidarity and positive support for others sharing the aims of peace, disarmament and a truly just world.

Arranged into the following eight sections: campaigns and events in which CND Wales participated or was involved; papers relating to CND Cymru's campaigns and work with other organisations; internal organisation (including agenda and minutes of meetings and correspondence files); records concerning groups and organisations in Wales and their related publications; 'Wales Against War' records, mainly sanctions imposed against Iraq and opposition to the Iraqi War; papers concerning the contamination of Wales by Chernobyl; papers relating to the Trawsfynydd Power Station; and printed materials.

Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.

Deposited by Ms Jill Stallard; Llandovery; Donation; February 2004; 0200501789.
Ms Jill Gough; Llandysul; Donation; October 2009

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is a British movement, founded in 1958, which seeks the eradication of all nuclear weapons. CND was founded in reaction to the British government's decision in 1957 to become the third country to test a thermonuclear weapon. There were protest marches at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston, Hampshire, from 1958 into the early 1960s. CND became a membership organization in 1966 and continued throughout the 1970s as a smaller, but nevertheless active, movement. The arrival of Cruise Missiles and Trident in Britain led to a revival of the campaign in the 1980s, and CND subsequently became the largest group of its kind in Britain. The focus of CND activities broadened since the 1950s, and they now encompass a wide range of issues relating to nuclear weapons, such as peace, military activity, and nuclear power in general. A branch of CND was established in Cardiff in 1958, and small local anti-nuclear groups appeared in other parts of Wales, such as the Aberystwyth Committee on Nuclear Weapons. These independent groups later became affiliated to the Welsh National Council of CND. The National Council remained a distinctively Welsh organization, and this Welshness still characterizes the activities of its successor, CND Cymru, set up in 1981. CND Cymru works for international peace and disarmament and a world in which the vast resources now devoted to militarism are redirected to the real needs of the community and the environment. The organisation aims to achieve a non-violent, nuclear-free world based on respect for human rights and the rights of all life. CND Cymru works through lobbying, participating in demonstrations, organising events and taking part in non-violent direct action. It is also involved in education work, drawing attention to important issues. In particular, CND Cymru's recent focus has been to draw attention to the obscenity of the British Nuclear Weapons System, Trident. The organisation offers solidarity and positive support for others sharing the aims of peace, disarmament and a truly just world.

June 2008.

Compiled by J. Graham Jones. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: CND Cymru website, consulted 22 May 2008; material within the CND Cymru archive;

Usual copyright laws apply.

The records were accumulated and retained by Jill and Rod Stallard prior to their donation to the Library.

Accruals are likely.

A separate archive of local CND Cymru records, 1957-1992, donated by several donors in a number of archive groups between 1967 and 1994, was described in 1996 and is available on-line. This is now known as CND Cymru Local Records. This archive comprises the records of a number of local groups and comprise national and local branch minutes, strategy documents and other administrative papers, correspondence, speeches, programmes for summer schools, details of protests and conferences, publicity material, press statements, pamphlets and articles, papers relating to the National Council, reports, newspaper cuttings, information packs, and ephemera, relating to local, national and international campaigns.

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales