"It's unusual to see such excitement on the seafront, says 18-year-old Lacey Ritson. Growing up, Lacey and her friends would gravitate to picturesque Saint Bees along the coast or the nearby Lake District if they wanted to spend time by the water. And sometimes, she says, we'd sit by the river and look at people, guessing who worked at Sellafield like, they've got a nice car they're from Sellafield'."
"Sellafield, Europe's largest nuclear site, looms large in Whitehaven at the centre of Britain's nuclear coast. While it has not generated energy since 2003, decommissioning is expected to take until at least 2125. Between Sellafield Ltd and its wider supply chain, the site employs about 60,000 workers, more than 80% from Cumbria. The result is that everybody either works at Sellafield or knows people who do, says Lacey, whose mum, aunt and cousins all work on the site."
A rainy Thursday in Whitehaven sees the seafront preparing for Harbour Fest with music, performance and street food vendors. Eighteen-year-old Lacey Ritson notes that local young people traditionally head to Saint Bees or the Lake District and often guess who works at Sellafield. Sellafield, Europe's largest nuclear site, stopped generating energy in 2003 and faces decommissioning that could last until at least 2125. The site and its supply chain employ about 60,000 people, over 80% from Cumbria, so many residents work there or know someone who does. The nuclear sector provides millions in funding for local projects and sponsors community events, while everyday life reflects Sellafield's rhythms through traffic and payday patterns.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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