BNTVA’s Parliamentary Launch

Yesterday (11th June 2013) in Parliament, the British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association (BNTVA) launched their campaign for official recognition by the nation for the contribution made by veterans of the British nuclear testing programme. Cratus were approached by the BNTVA in 2012 seeking communications and campaign support and this is one of a number of events we have and will be coordinating on their behalf.

The launch included artwork by artist Gary Bennett, Kathrine Connery (the daughter of a test veteran), and members of the BNTVA. Their work is inspired by the nuclear tests, and aims to portray the mental anguish experienced by British nuclear test veterans and their descendants. The attached photograph shows John Baron MP with other MPs and BNTVA members at the launch.

A larger exhibition, taking place on Oxford Street and curated by the veterans themselves and their descendants, will be on display next week. Please see below for details – we would love to see as many people attend as possible, it promises to be a fascinating display.

The art exhibition, entitled ‘The Shadow of the Bomb’, will take place at 3Space (29-31, Oxford Street, W1D 2DR), and will run from 17th – 21st June. Admission is free, and opening times are as follows:

Monday 17th June: 2-5pm, 6-8pm. Tuesday 18th June: 11.30am-6.30pm. Wednesday 19th June: 11.30am-6.30pm. Thursday 20th June: 11.30am-6.30pm and Friday 21st June: 11.30am-2.30pm.

John Baron MP (Patron of the BNTVA) said:

We owe our nuclear test veterans a huge debt of gratitude for their service. This superb exhibition conveys some of the emotions felt by the servicemen during the nuclear tests. It is a fitting accompaniment to the launch of our campaign for official recognition of the veterans’ unique contribution to the defence of the realm.