Sussex joins peace march

Among the marchers was Lewes MP Norman Baker, who said: 'It was a huge and powerful outpouring of people's opinions and the largest march London has ever seen. The population at large, right across the political spectrum, does not agree with the Prime Minister's policy on Iraq and he has to think again.

'There were a number of marches around the country at the weekend, which I think it a clear message from the people that we want peace, not war it's no good us tagging behind George Bush like the back end of a penny farthing.'

Anna Rehin, the Lewes CND co-ordinator, said: 'It was an incredible experience. I've been on many marches, but this was in a totally different league. There was a wonderful atmosphere, very calm, with no aggression of any sort.'

Mrs Rehin said there were hundreds on the platform at Lewes Station on the morning of the demonstration, and trains taking the marchers to London were as packed as commuter trains.

Said Sue Priest, from Lewes Green Party: 'We were a mixed crowd of all ages, backgrounds and political persuasions, but all united in wanting to give Tony Blair the clear message no war in Iraq.

'The mood was serious and there was no carnival atmosphere, more a sense of goodwill, unity and purpose.

'As we arrived at Hyde Park and spilled into the green spaces, speeches were well under way and echoed the sentiments that we had been hearing all day. Only then, as more and more people arrived, did we get some idea of the size of this event.

'Lewes came back from its big day out in London and there was a feeling that it was a day that could go down in history.'

District councillor Martha Whittle from Uckfield was among the Wealden contingent denouncing Tony Blair's hard-line on Iraq, along with fellow councillor Jane Clark.

Cllr Whittle said: 'As a mother, concerned individual, and a Liberal Democrat who agrees with Charles Kennedy's courageous stand, I joined my colleagues, my teenage daughter and her friend on the biggest peacetime march ever seen in this country.

'The good natured crowd walked in the bitter cold to Hyde Park, to hear a series of passionate appeals to reason and humanity. So many different people of so many races and creeds, often usually in ideological conflict, joined together to send one message, 'No War', to the governments of Britain and the United States.'

PICTURE: Members of Lewes Green Party in Hyde Park.

Bottom right, Liberal Democrats from Newhaven and Lewes - from the left Jo Rogers, David Rogers, Carol Borowski, Pat Ost, Ann de Vecchi, and Judith Ost.