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Obituary
Obituary: Len W Gibson 1919 - 2007
John L Gibson
Life-long peace campaigner Len Gibson died on 3 February.
Many older readers will remember Len from his work from 1962 through to 1988 running the Film Van, a
vehicle he drove around the UK during the summer months, appearing at showgrounds, market squares and many other locations
around the country, where he would show anti-war films from the back of the van in the open air, campaigning for peace
against war and violence.
While showing the films, he would make peace books, leaflets and other material available, such as Peace News,
providing support for organisations such as the PPU, WRI, CND, FOR and CAAT.
Always a man of strong principles Len was imprisoned during World War Two as a conscientious objector.
Ahead of his time
In the late 1950s he settled at The Brotherhood Church, at Stapleton, near Pontefract in Yorkshire. At Stapleton he
married Hilda, and together they spent life living as close to the land as possible, growing much of their own food using
organic methods, long before it was fashionable to do so! Len carried out his trade as a motor engineer, repairing and
maintaining agricultural vehicles and cars for local folk in Yorkshire.
With Hilda, Len established an annual gathering on the first Sunday each July at the Brotherhood Church that was known
as the Strawberry Tea. An event that attracted between one and two hundred people from far and wide, mainly peace
activists, who would enjoy the hospitality that Len and Hilda provided. It was a gettogether that many people found
inspiring and an opportunity to network with other peace activists and to recharge batteries for the campaigning ahead.
Peace printer
In later life, when Len was unable to continue his motor work, he busied himself running Peaceprint, producing and
printing peace literature for the Brotherhood Church and other groups such as the local branch of CND.
Unfortunately, the last few years of Len's life were blighted by Parkinson's disease, which he struggled with until
the end finally came.
Len leaves behind his wife Hilda - who has cared for him throughout his battle with Parkinson's - and their three
children, John, Bracken and Janet, and his granddaughter Katie.
His funeral was held at the Brotherhood Church at Stapleton.
Please contact us by the fifteenth of the month if you would like PN to carry an obituary or
death notice. Call 0845 456 5183; email editorial@peacenews.info
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