Object of the Month – Wicker Basket
This month’s object of the month blog is dedicated to a traditional wicker wooden basket; it belonged to the late, long serving peace campaigner, Frances MacKeith. It is said that Frances purchased the basket at the age of twenty five. She bought it once Britain declared war on Germany which began World War Two. Frances wished to do something ‘normal’ that day, knowing life would soon change. As an active peace campaigner Frances attending many protests and demonstrations in opposition to the Second World War. After the war she was a determined and outspoken advocate of peace and internationalism. Frances joined the Quakers in the 60s and became known as ‘The Peace Woman’. To the people who knew her, she was a very friendly individual; she was a friend to all, not least travellers and refugees.
Frances protested for many causes, including protesting against the Vietnam War, the Iraq War and nuclear weapons. In the 1950s, Frances was a part of the Aldermaston March, a demonstration in protest of the Vietnam War. In fact, she was imprisoned for a while after protesting the Iraq War. Whilst she was held captive, she used her time to explain Quakerism to her cell mate, who was rather young. Furthermore, she put Quaker stickers on the walls of her cell wall; including the well known saying, ‘Make love, not war’. In Faslane, Frances took part in non-violent direct action against Trident, three times. A permanent peace camp was sited at Faslane where demonstrators engaged in blockades, further protests and occupied by campaigners, including Frances.
Her 90th birthday party was at Aldermaston, a place that will forever remember Frances for her campaigning. The basket will form part of the new Responses to Conflict exhibition at the Peace Museum and will be on display. The exhibition will also cover peaceful responses to many conflicts which Frances demonstrated against, such as the Vietnam War, the Cold War and the Iraq War. In addition, we have a permanent display which tells the story of those who campaigned at Aldermaston and Greenham Common.
Written by Maryam Anser and Sarah Bartey