Positive Evolution
the best way to predict your future is to create it
Express opposition through action or words.
A public, often organized manifestation of dissent.
A formal declaration of disapproval or objection issued by a concerned person, group, or organization.
“To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.”
“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.”
“When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him.”
“Protest long enough that you are right, and you will be wrong”
“Against criticism a man can neither protest nor defend himself; he must act in spite of it, and then it will gradually yield to him.”
Wales's first climate camp located near Merthyr Tydfil was a huge success. The revival of open cast mining in South Wales shows that politicians and big buisnesses are not taking climate change seriously. The camp challenged our failing economic and political systems and promoted radical alternatives. There was workshops, talks and demonstrations on all sorts of issues.
WEBSITE
Titnore Woods Protest Camp
The
protest camp against the 875-homes development at Titnore Woods,
Durrington, Worthing, is now approaching its third birthday and the
campaigners are still in good spirits. Visitors are always welcome and
help is always needed. At the moment beams of wood for building more
tree houses would be particularly useful, plus someone with a van or
truck to help bring material to the site. Tinned food provision are
always gratefully received.
TESCO'S application to go ahead with
its massive Tesco Extra store next to the protest camp is currently up
before the council. Write in against the new megastore, quoting
application number WB/09/0146/ARM and send to the Development Control
Manager, Worthing Borough Council, Portland House, Richmond Road,
Worthing by 14th May 2009. Opponents are also being urged to write to
the Worthing Herald at letters@worthingtoday.co.uk setting out their
feelings about the proposal. The issue will also be discussed at the
next meeting of Worthing Alliance, to be held at Beechwood Hall,
Wykeham Road, Worthing, at 8pm on Thursday April 30.
See http://www.protectourwoodland.co.uk for more info :)
Today climate campaigners from 'Leave it in the Ground' have occupied the UK Coal's Lodge House site in Derbyshire by barricading themselves in a disused farm building and taken to the trees on the site of the open cast mine.
Under the cover of darkness activists have secured themselves in the Prospect Farm building, on the site which is about to be devastated by huge machines. Food and supplies have also been taken in for a long term occupation and barricades have been set up preventing police form bringing in specialist equipment down Bell Lane, Smalley Derbyshire into the heart of the site. Similarly, people are locked on by their necks behind the doors preventing force being used to gain entry. The protesters are claiming squatter's rights. Later on today the police arrives and left, they are respecting the Section 6 notice for Squatters rights.
Lodge house is owned by UK Coal, Britain's largest coal company and they plan to extract 1 million tonnes of coal from the 122 hector site. The area is about to be devastated, despite objections form local councils, residents and local environmental groups but the environment Secretary Hilary Benn granted planning permission in 2007 and work is set to commence imminently. New open cast mines are being actively supported by the government and the number of opencast mines going into the planning process and being approved is on the increase.
At Lodge House today, Andy Green said "We are here because the single greatest threat to the climate comes from burning coal. Coal fired generation is historically responsible for most of the CO2 in the air
today, about half of all carbon dioxide emissions globally. Coal from open cast mines is dirtier than that from deep mines, so it is even worse!"
People are needed to come down and stay on the site. It is a beautiful area, with much wildlife, and easy access to public transport. Come down and visit!
Wish list:
Water: Please bring lots when you come as there is currently no running water on site.
scaffold, tarpaulin, planks, large nails, polyprop especially 8mm, 10mm and 12mm (but any rope is good)
sand and cement
Climbing tat - ropes, harness, carabinas, belay plates, d-locks, padlocks and chains, cargo netting,
Blankets, carpets, quilts, sleeping bags, hammocks,
bowsaws, burners, plastic sheets, shovels and other tools, torches, hurricane lamps and head torches.
Axes, batteries (car and torch), bolt croppers, buckets, candles, fishing line, flexiflue and cutting gear,
food (tinned is good, dried food particularly things like fruit and nuts is fantastic, fresh fruit and veg is really appreciated) cooking pans and cutlery, mugs and plates first aid, generators, paraffin, refuse sacks, rope, string, tents, thermos flasks, tin storage (ammo) boxes, water butts.
Nylon crane netting, pulleys, loudhailers, parachutes, rucksacks, steel cable,
Clothes, Boots, warm clothes and socks, waterproof clothing, wellies.
Musicians, climbers, mechanics, carpenters, healers, bakers, solicitors, sponsors, poets, friendly shop keepers, trader exchange, nature-lovers and everyone else too!
Transport.
Bicycles and tools.
Site phone:07503 335870
VISIT THE WEBSITE :)
UPDATE 22-06-08:
The farm house on the prospective open cast coal site that was squatted this week has received its papers.
It will be taken to court on 30th June at 10 am at Derby Combined Court Centre, Morledge, Derby, DE1 2XE by Harworth Estates Agricultural Land Ltd (part of the UK Coal Conglomerate).
The people on site are putting a call out for people to come and stay on the site and help out. If you have ever fancied your hand at protecting beautiful land against the capitalist machine, nows your chance!
There will be a protest/show of support is planed for the 30th June at 10.am at Derby combined courts.
There was a march and rally to save Gloucester Mail centre on June 23rd. We marched through the town and onto the docks where we stood in the pouring rain whilst others under cover spoke for a while. See HERE for information on why they want to route all our mail via Swindon and PLEASE sign the petition!
Eviction occurred Tuesday morning at ten o'clock. It happened suddenly, the roads went quite then police car, after police car after bailiff van after bailiff van came storming down the road. The site was incredible. Bailiffs were ordering people away before they had even parked their vans.
They blocked the A40 for the morning, which caused a lot inconvenience and cancellations for the locals. Protesters, local support, press and any other spectators were kept in a pen, too far away to offer any support.
National Grid started work on the fields next to the land before the first arrest, by the end of the day the land was indescribable.
Throughout the day the protesters remained upbeat singing and laughing although their home was being destroyed. It was a very emotional site. There were six arrests on Tuesday, all were released later that evening, three with cautions, two on bail and one with nothing. The two on bail went to court on Wednesday and were released on conditional bail and court charges of £50.
One protester sat on his home made flying bike in the trees which caused confusion and concern for the bailiffs. Others were in treehouses and tunnels.
On Wednesday there were another six arrests, five released with a caution and one with a court hearing.
The Fight the Pipe crew have now split into a few smaller groups to work on plans for the next stage of protesting. We will be letting you know real soon what our plans are!
Heartfelt thanks to all those that have sent messages of support and donations. We really are very grateful. Thank you all so much!
Lots of Love from the FIGHT THE PIPE crew xoxox
Meanwhile the rivers in Wales run red from the earth that has been moved during construction of the pipeline. National Grid really does have blood on it's hands as the veins of the countryside show.
MAY THEY BURN IN THE BLAZE OF THEIR FOUL WORK!!
I organised a benefit gig for the campaign, it is the first gig I have put on myself and it was very stressful! I couldn't have done it without the help of some great people particually Jan, Bryan and Emsy as well as the bands and DJs. It went really well!! Everyone had a great time, we raised loads of cash (£165) and the bands were brilliant even though one pulled out at the last minute. We partied well into the next day and it was well worth all the stress in the end! Much love and nuff respect to DUB THE EARTH and THE SMERKIN MERKINS for giving their time for this event.
DJ Ropert.
The Smerkin Merkins.
Dub The Earth.
7th visit.
The final preparations are now being made for the eviction as it is expected any day now. Defences are being tested, structures reinforced and everyone is making sure everyone else knows what they are doing when the time comes.
New banner at entrance to camp.
Chilling at camp after the work is done.
Ello, ello, ello!
How far does the tunnel go under here?
Sign for the bailiffs.
How will the bailiffs cope with a cyclist in the trees?
Sign for the bailiffs.
The cartoon that was framed and up on site for many months.
You can see from this picture how close National Grid are to the camp.
In Gloucester today some residents were woken up to the fact that this massive pipeline is going to end right on their doorsteps when the Gloucester action group had a information stall in the city centre all day. People chatted about the rights and wrongs of the issue and there was even a visit from a Dalek!
On June 8th in Cardiff magistrates court a Judge ruled in National Grids favour and granted them a possession order on the land where the Brecon tree camp is. An interim injunction has also been granted banning any protesters trespassing on land where National Grid are working and any interference with machinery used by them to build the pipeline.
The protesters at the tree camp have been told to collect their belongings and leave immediately. Bailiffs will come to remove anyone remaining on the land early next week.
Although disappointing for the protesters it was expected to go in National Grids favour as the government have already approved this pipeline and it was not expected that a Judge in a Cardiff court was going to start questioning whether National Grid should really be going ahead with this project.
The protesters can go back to court within 21 days to fight the injunction as it was felt that the injunction put before the judge was confusing and would be impossible to police effectively.
The protesters had to defend themselves in court as they were only given 4 days notice of the court hearing. They had found it impossible to get legal aid in that time and a solicitor who had offered his services had been unable to attend due to another court appearance.
We went to Hay-on-Wye for the first weekend of the literature festival to raise awareness about the pipeline. From the festival the yellow pipeline can be seen snaking through the countryside. Most people who stopped and chatted agreed that we didn't need it but had the attitude that there is nothing we can do to change the minds of government ministers and multi-national companies. There were a few people who were all for it but there was a majority of about 80% against it. On the way there we saw for ourselves just how the work is progressing.
6th visit
5th visit
Despite a week of rain spirits on camp have not been dampened. As always the weekend brings visitors which is always nice. There has been a new communal bender erected with a wood burner inside as temperatures have dropped again and cooking outside has been impossible at times. More treehouses have also been built. We did a run into Brecon town to collect supplies which was fun and then everyone had toasted sandwiches when we got back. The fire brigade had visited in the week and told us about THIS! Something for National Grid to add to their not-so-good safety record HERE.
New communal bender with burner inside.
The beautiful surroundings.... soon to be destroyed.
Brecon protest camp - April 2007
4th visit
This weekend brought visitors, fun and donations. We thank anyone who makes the effort to come and visit camp whether it is for a short stay or a long one. People are always welcome. The kitchen got a clean-up thanks to Steve from Bath who came down on the bus and a metal tower was built. People were there from all parts of the UK this weekend, from Devon through Wales to Manchester and onto Scotland! We made plans for stalls at some of this summers festivals as well as ideas on raising awareness even more.
sweat lodge
working hard!
cleaning the kitchen
treehouse and platform
making dinner over the fire
remember to visit FIGHT THE PIPE and MY SPACE for more info!
Brecon protest camp - April 2007
3rd visit
Everyone is in good spirits at the Brecon protest site. Eviction looms ever closer as the pipeline closes in but morale is high. The sunshine has made life easier with day to day tasks being completed outside and clothing easier to dry! Lots of visitors come at weekends to offer donations and moral support.
Many people have learnt new climbing skills as a few experts were on hand to give advice. More people are always needed to help! More people are needed to take part in direct actions along the route of the pipeline.
Making the grey water filter.
Learning to climb.
Chilling out in the sunshine.
The beautiful Brecon woodland that is under threat.
Tirley to Brecon pipeline route - March 2007
All hedgerows and trees along the route have now been destroyed and work has started in a number of locations. At Corse/Tirley where the Pressure reduction installation is expected to be there in another public inquiry on 24th April at 10am at Corse/Tirley village hall, please go along if you can. Work is about to start in Kempley as the pipe being laid from Peterstow gets ever nearer. At Peterstow there is lots of machinery and contractors in the area as well as security. The pipe seems to be being laid in both directions from that point. It is the same in Hay-on-Wye. Many footpaths are closed along the route.
Have a look at the pictures below numbered 1 - 21 for information on how work is going along the pipeline route from Brecon to Gloucester. People are desperatly needed to start direct actions along the route of this pipeline!!
19 - Pipeline ready to be laid in Hay-on-Wye.
20 - Sign in Hay-on-Wye.
Bike the Pipe - March 2007
Claire found that most people on the route had not been told much about it and that they were not aware of the safety concerns or the impact the laying of the pipe will have on their environment. She met farmers who had no choice but to let their land be used for this project as the alternative would be a compulsory purchase order which would mean losing some of their farm land. She also met Dr Richard Furness a pipeline expert who believes that there is no need for this pipe and is concerned about it's safety.
Claire ended her trip in Gloucester where she met up with me and the local prospective Green party councilor, Bryan Meloy.
Brecon protest camp - March 2007
2nd visit
Protesters are still sitting tight at the Brecon protest site despite the eviction notice having gone up. Trees are now being felled and hedgerows cleared less than 1 mile away to make way for the pipeline. Pressure is mounting on National Grid as the opposition grows stronger everyday.
At the moment Brecon remains beautiful :-)
The camp is looking good with treehouses, tents, tipis and benders as well as a communal kitchen, eating area and compost heap! Donations are always welcome, almost any tat can be put to good use.
On Saturday 24th there was a protest march and rally in Trebanos, one of the first places phase two of the pipe goes through. Unfortunatly I missed the march due to being held up in Brecon but got there for the rally afterwards.
Picture of the pipe ready to be laid in Trebanos.
Please see the article below on my first visit for more info on the pipeline and some good links. Remeber to keep checking back on FIGHT THE PIPE and visit us on MYSPACE!
Brecon protest camp - March 2007
1st visit
Protesters are trying to prevent the destruction of beautiful ancient woodland to make way for the 120 mile gas pipeline that is running from Milford Haven in west Wales through Pembroke, Camarthen, the Swansea valleys, Brecon Beacons national park, Hay-on-Wye and Ross-on-Wye to Corse/Tirley near Gloucester.
Inspired by the initial squatting of the pipeline in November, camps sprung up at Milford Haven, Trebanos and Cilfrew, with locals and activists regularly disrupting work. January saw a number of actions, including at a new location at Alltwen, Pontardawe - where people chained themselves to machinery in order to stop the work carrying on the other side of the valley from the Trebanos camp. The area around Trebanos is prone to land-slip, and it is so unstable that villagers are not allowed to have mains gas supplied!
The newest camp is on the A40 appox 5 miles west of Brecon. It is easy to spot from the road as there are banners tied to trees for passing cars to see. There is a bus stop near by and places to park so there is no excuse not to go and offer support or take a donation!
Nearby the Brecon protest site there has been spottings of protected species, badgers, owls and bats. National Grid will recklessly destroy their homes, they have been informed and they seem to care very little about it.
Work in Brecon is to start April 2007, National Grid are contracted to delivered gas in October 2007, with dead lines this close work is likely to be rushed meaning short-cuts in safety and environmental issues will be taken, do you think they are a company to be trusted? Brecon Beacon National Park are against this development as the effects on the environment are going to be intense, even if National Grid take every care they can, the land cannot be restored to it’s original beauty.
There are several major safety concerns regarding this pipeline, National Grid have admitted having no experience of dealing with such a big pipeline. The pipeline measuring at 48inches wide and 120miles long will pump odourless gas through at 94bar. Gas pumped through at this speed is designed to travel in straight lines. This pipeline arches, curves and changes in height, therefore pressure points will be created, weakening the structure of the pipe.
National Grid is seeking to site a gas pressure reduction installation (PRI) on about 6 acres of land with 12 chimneys, each 8.5 metres high near Corse/Tirley as part of its overall plan to deliver gas from Milford Haven to Corse/Tirley. Initially 20% of the whole of the UK's gas supply would pass through the proposed PRI though this would inevitably rise towards 40% or more in the future. National Grid proposes delivering gas through a single 48" pipe at high pressure (94 BAR = approx 1,400 lbs per sq inch) which would have to be reduced to 75 BAR (= approx 1,100 lbs per sq inch) before joining the existing small installation near Corse/Tirley. The operating pressure (94 BAR) combined with the size of the pipes (48") is unprecedented in the UK, Europe or US near residential property. National Grid has no experience of working at this very high pressure near residential property.
The people at the Brecon camp desperately need more donations, they need: climbing rope, polyprop or spare rope, climbing equipment, cargo nets, building timber, beams, nails, tarpaulins, scrap metal, food, water carriers, tools, batteries AA and AAA, torches, candles, lighters, boots and warm clothing, air tight containers and bedding. They would also love for more people to come and join them and for people to pop in to offer moral support!
There are a number of different websites with more information:
Fight the Pipe - New website trying to get all the smaller protest groups together.
CAPRI - Campaign against the Pressure Reduction Installation.
Rising Tide - For more information about the pipe.
Earth First - For more information about the pipe.
SchNews - Latest news on the various protests.
Indymedia - Latest news on the various protests.
Indymedia Bristol - Local news on the various protests.
Safe Haven - For more information about the pipe.
Multimap - Map showing the site of the Brecon camp.
Troops out of Iraq, No Trident protest march - Febuary 2007
I travelled to London on the peace coach from Gloucester for this demo that went from Hyde Park to Trafalger Square, organised by the CND and STOP THE WAR COALITION and THE BRITISH MUSLIM INITIATIVE.
A brilliantly diverse mass of people walked through the streets of London banging drums, chanting and blowing whistles. Some were dressed up in fabulous costumes, some were in their everyday wear, all were united in a need to get the message to the government that we do not want this illegal war in our name. the feds put the number in attendance as 10,000, the organisers put it nearer 100,000!
After a peaceful but very noisy march we ended up in Trafalger Square where there were a few stalls with petitions to sign and badges, t-shirts or stickers to sell. There was also some guest speakers including the inspiring Brian Haw, Mark Thomas and Tony Benn.
