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Nine Ladies Possession Court Order Obtained

road alert | 22.01.2004 14:51 | Ecology | Sheffield

Nine Ladies Anti-Quarry Protest Camp, Derbyshire, Possession Court Order obtained Thursday 22/01/2004, papers served Friday 23/01/2004 - eviction now imminent!

Press release from the protestors: Eco Warriors send profits warning to Marshalls Plc - 6th February 2004 | Collection in Sheffield City Centre raises £75

Background: If Quarrying goes ahead, a 100m deep scar will blight a beautiful, and well loved landscape, to produce profit from the sale of building materials. The protest camp has been protecting the site since 1999 (history of the struggle). People are needed urgently to help with defences, and resist the eviction. Report and list of things needed at 9 Ladies.

Images: Photos (12 large images) | Nine Ladies Photo Gallery | Arial view of the site

Audio: Interview (mp3) and transcript

Video: rtsp://www.piratetv.net/archive/ptvaltmedia/nineladiesmix.rm | Download the video, real format

Nine Ladies web forum | Nine Ladies offical website (not updated since august 2003)

Nine Ladies Stone Circle
Nine Ladies Stone Circle


Monday 19th Jan, Papers were served, and they are in court for posession order on 23rd of Thursday. People urgently needed to sort out defences, and to be there if eviction follows shortly after. Climbers have and are being approached.

New site number - 07005942212 The official nine ladies website has not been updated since August 2003, so use the number above for up to date info.

About the campaign

Nine Ladies Under Threat

On 12 December 2003, the quarry company Stancliffe Stone submitted a scheme to the Peak District National Park Authority, PDNPA, for working the quarries at Endcliffe and Lees Cross. They want to extract 3.2 million tons of rock from a 12.95 hectare site within 100m of the Nine Ladies Stone Circle.

The resultant scar will be 100m deep, devastating the environment of this treasured site for ever. The quarry company have issued a statement in the local paper saying that they are going to begin the eviction process.

People who want to help are encouraged to write to the PDNPA and tell them why you are opposed to this development. (Note: public consultation is for the duration of January only):

The Peak District National Park Authority,
Aldern House, Baslow Road, BAKEWELL,
Derbyshire DE45 1AE
Tel: 01629 816200
Fax: 01629 816310
Email: aldern@peakdistrict-npa.gov.uk

If you want to be on the phone tree (to be informed when eviction starts), please get in touch via the site mobile number: 0700 5942212

History of the camp

This camp was set up in 1999 to help stop the destruction of Stanton Moor hillside in the Peak District National Park, which is under threat from the re-opening of two dormat quarries. The quarries would have a disastrous impact on the Nine Ladies Stone Circle and local wildlife. Camp residents though have vowed to stay until the quarry plans are shelved.

Info

http://www.nineladies.uklinux.net/

Postal address:
Nine Ladies Anti-Quarry Campaign,
Lees Road,
Stanton Lees,
Near Matlock,
Derbyshire DE4 2LQ.
Tel: 0700 5942212

Further Resources

To find out about it's archelogical significance, and it use by local people for centuries check out:

Previous articles on Indymedia:

road alert
- e-mail: info@roadalert.org.uk
- Homepage: http://www.roadalert.org.uk/

Comments

Hide the following 11 comments

help from abroad??

24.01.2004 15:45

I'd like to help but am in southern Spain. Is there anything along the lines of cyber protests or huffy letters to the embassy that would be of any use?
Good luck.

mary
mail e-mail: hare_jogg@yahoo.co.uk


Fight On

25.01.2004 16:19

My thoughts and symbols of love go out to Warriors of the Nine Ladies camp, wish I was there to fight the eviction, I spent some time there a couple of years ago, its yet another unique, powerfull , magical place to be ruined for profit, Power to the Peacefull, Im in Canada if theirs any way I can help with anything or anyone.

Scott
mail e-mail: windysheep2000@yahoo.com


News from Nine Ladies

25.01.2004 21:11

Stancliffe Stone who intend to open the quarries, want the stone to build a shopping mall and a church in America. They also have plans to open another 70 sites for quarrying. The eviction will cost millions (literally). There are specialist climbers and tunnellers who will work with the bailiffs and police to evict the protesters.
If the eviction is successful, people intend to go to another site under threat and continue to fight against Stancliffe Stone. The mobile number for the site has been barred! Hopefully, there will be another number soon.

Some things are needed urgently:
Wood (beams, planks, plyboard, nails)
Scaffolding and clips, steel girders and sheet (plus bolts)
Concrete and reinforcing bar
Polyprop Rope (12, 10, 5mm)
Tarpaulin
Climbing stuff-harnesses, clips, ropes (Static especially welcome)
General woodworking and metal tools
Shovels, pickaxes, wheelbarrows
Bowsaws, Axes
Food (beer is good also - its cold and muddy out there!!)
Small packets of high energy food (dried fruit, chocolate, nuts – stuff like that is good for taking down a tunnel)
Outdoor clothing
Blankets
First Aid equipment
People who can charge car batteries
Walkie talkies/intercoms
Firelighters

People who need telling…

The PDNPA – tell them why you are opposed to the development
Tel 01629816200 Fax 016290 816310 email  aldern@peakdistrict-npa.gov.uk

Secretary of State for the Environment and The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
To say that PDNPA should be given assistance in revoking the quarrying consent, as this is a national heritage and environment issue.

Ms Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for the Environment, DEFRA, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, LONDON SW1P 3JR
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 26 Whitehall, LONDON SW1A 2WH
Tel 02079444400

Haddon Hall – to ask them to consider if they really need the money at such a huge environmental and cultural cost and to consider surrendering the consent

Lord Edward Manners, The Estate Office, Haddon Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1LA
Tel 01629 812855 Fax 01629 653996 email:  enquiries@stancliffe.com

Stancliffe Stone – register your disgust
Stancliffe Stone Co.Ltd
Grangemill
Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 4BW
Tel 01629 653859 Fax 01629 653996 email:  enquiries@stancliffe.com

Marshalls – tell them what you think of their arrogance in using legal doublespeak to further their aims and tell them HANDS OFF THE PEAK DISTRICT

Marshalls PLC, Hall Ings, Sothowram, Halifax HX3 9TW
Tel: 01422 306400 Fax 01422 306407 Website: marshalls.co.uk

And if you can…

Get to Nine Ladies, visit and take some stuff, stay if you can

The eviction will go ahead any day now. There is a rumour it will be this week but the weather might delay things.


heather


Forgot to add...

26.01.2004 07:13

On the lists of addresses/numbers/fax etc. some of what it asks peeps to do might be out of date, given that the warrant has been served. I'm not sure about this. It can't do any harm though to tell these people what you think, regardless of what stage in the legal process this is up too.
Also, this coming weekend (for people in Manchester) I'm going there again with other people from manchester social forum, if people have stuff they want to send and can't get it there, we can take as much down as the car can carry. Email me if you like.

heather
mail e-mail: roserat@btinternet.com


environment

26.01.2004 13:50

English Heritage (above link) seems to think it's people having bonfires and walking round the stones / taking soouvenirs that are the main threat to the site. no mention of quarrying. that aside, we clearly need a new site: ToffWatch

check here for another blue blood getting fat off the land:

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/liverpool/2003/12/282695.html

- -


A Most Special Place

28.01.2004 08:05

I've spent many of my childhood days walking around this area and it has touch my heart during winter mourning passing through this acient magical place. Like a few other people that have made comments i am unfortunately not in the country. India is a long way away but my energies are being sent out to the people who are there helping the cause. We need that place to keep that special vibe that has inspired an touch so many walkers and ravers, the quarry would destroy it. We have to stand up for our rights to preserve what we have and not let money and greed get in the way to what is ours.. Save the NINE...Peace

Joe Watts
mail e-mail: pan_optican@hotmail.com


nine ladies

01.02.2004 23:48

I was not born in England and English is my scound language,but I always have loved England and thats why I live here. The nine Ládies are a very sacred natural beauty site for me a place that words can not discribe. I honor the Eco Warriors I visit them many times and these are people which stands for this beautiful land, which nobody has actually the right to destroy it. I would like to be there as well,but I cant see a way to do so. In my heart Iam there and my prayers and my vooices is telling everybody about it. That this beautiful place shall stay and live as it is...
May there be peace and harmony in this place in this land...
isma Wyne

isma
mail e-mail: ismaja@gmx.net


Protection Ritual

06.02.2004 11:41

I just wanted to let you folk up there know that a number of people have visited the area and scribed protective bindrunes around and about. I don't mean by carvings by the way, but with chalk and fingers. There shall be a ritual tonight (Full Moon) at midnight to empower and strengthen these runes. This ritual is being done by many pagans and witches at there own homes, gardens and anywhere else they can do it. It may not seem much to some folk but for those who cannot get to the site itself, it is the only way they know of trying to help. Anyone who wants to know more about the Dragon Bindrune which has been used, should go to  http://www.dragonnetwork.org/dtr.htm
Bright Blessings to all of you up there and may The Lord and Lady be with you.
Blessed Be.

Dragonflyer
mail e-mail: draig_awyrennwr@yahoo.co.uk


BAILLIFS AT NINE LADIES CAMP

17.02.2004 16:14

From  http://www.warband.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=news

"BAILLIFS AT NINE LADIES CAMP
I had a phone call from one of my ex squat pals, who is up a tree at the nine ladies camp yesterday - he was phoning from a harness watching the press below.

5 bailiffs had been caught on site, he said they had reached the inner sanctum of the camp posing as protestors/supporters, but some one sussed them out.

Press had been up there all day - local and national...and he said evictions were imminant, or at least, VERY near -
He rang me as a call to arms for more support - asking me as warband to put word out, so here I am...

THEY NEED MORE BODIES -NOW

I've sent word out, just hope it helps... "

WILLOW BATTLE RAVEN of ravensclaw
sister warrior priestess

Rowan
- Homepage: http://www.warband.org


WRITE TO PEAK PARK ASAP

02.03.2004 21:48

Time to get writing again - have just seen this on the Nine Ladies message board  http://www.nineladies.uklinux.net/cgi-bin/viewmsgs.pl

"Peak Park are again inviting comments on the proposals, which should be received by mid-march.
 http://www.peakdistrict.org/news/copy/2004/03Feb04.htm "


"3 February 2004
COMMENTS INVITED ON LEES CROSS AND ENDCLIFFE QUARRIES

Over the next four weeks the Peak District National Park Authority is inviting interested parties to comment on proposals to reopen quarries at Stanton Lees near Matlock.

Stancliffe Stone Ltd wants to restart operations at the quarries, which have not been worked for several decades. The Peak District National Park Authority’s planning control committee may need to consider the issue as early as the end of March.

This week the Authority launched formal consultations with parish, district and county councils, along with English Nature and English Heritage. The Authority is also seeking legal advice to clarify the current status of the site.

All interested parties can lodge their comments - in writing by mid-March - with the Planning Service,
Peak District National Park Authority,
Aldern House,
Baslow Road,
Bakewell DE45 1AE.

Copies of the plans have been sent to consultees including Stanton-in-Peak Parish Council, and are available for inspection at Aldern House.

The quarries are already covered by a planning permission, granted by the Government in 1952. The Authority’s role will be to determine a scheme of conditions for the quarries.

Chair of the National Park Authority's planning control committee, Councillor John Bull said: "This is a very sensitive site and the proposal to reopen the quarries is controversial. We have previously stated that we do not want them worked again due to their proximity to Stanton Lees and the scheduled ancient monument on Stanton Moor - however, we must examine the company’s proposals and take into account all of the consultation responses.

"There is also question over the status of the site – whether it should be considered dormant or active – and over the coming weeks we are seeking legal advice to clarify this point.

"Whatever the outcome of this legal issue people should be aware that it is not within our power to refuse permission for the quarries to reopen, as the site already has permission. Our role will be to approve a set of modified conditions for working the site in an appropriate way."

Planning officers met yesterday with a group of eco-protesters who discussed their concerns and handed over a petition opposing the reworking of the quarries."

Rowan
mail e-mail: rowan1@planet-save.com
- Homepage: http://www.warband.org


Destruction of Nine Ladies area

28.04.2004 17:12

This kind of unnecessary vandalism must stop! If you want to get stone why not take it from a few cathedrals? There is a lot of rock in them and no-one really uses them any more.

And before you get on your self righteous high horse consider that you are about to destroy a sacred site where the real and original spirituality of this ancient country has been worshipped for thousands of years before the current infatuation with a middle Eastern Shaman was ever dreamt up.

So what would happen if a mining company wanted the stone from beneath say Salisbury cathedral???? National outcry, if the idea ever made it to the public domain, which of course it wouldn't. (Incidentally I would fight to protect that too, cos I believe in the heritage of this country and most cathedrals are beautiful, and yes sacred.)

So before you consider the wanton desecration and destruction of an ancient site consider your own roots, this is your land, your history, your birth right sold out to greed. YOUR GREED.

Steve Bewers
mail e-mail: greenman_wildhunter@hotmail.com