This will remind readers of the tree massacre where Green Tops Ltd. was recently involved:
Check Liverpool Indymedia:

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/manchester/2004/10/299660.html

site protest is over as the tunnel person came out last night, below is the local papers coverage on this. The fight still goes on to get the land declared village green status, which would still stop the road widening.

EVICTED
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16:00 - 06 December 2004
A Dawn police raid was today set to end the longest environmental protest in Notts history.

Tree protesters cleared as police and bailiffs swoop in dawn raid

About 100 officers, specialist tree climbers and staff from a developer descended on woodland in Mansfield Woodhouse.

For more than a year protesters have lived in trees to prevent them being felled to make way for housing.

Around 8.30am, police cordoned off the area and chief enforcement officer Richard Bullock announced the move over loudspeakers.

Specialists moved in with chainsaws to cut back branches and a crane lifted officers so protesters in trees could be removed.

About five people were living there prior to the raid.

Four came out but police were left negotiating with one remaining protester in a tunnel.

There were claims he had looped a noose around his neck, connected to the tunnel hatch to prevent anybody entering.

Protester Ben Hartley, 29, who has been on the site on and off since its occupation in September 2003 - said: "It should have taken Notts County Council just four months to consider our application but they have stalled and stalled.

"We will continue to protest and are looking into possible legal action."

Protesters have applied through the courts to have the disputed land declared a village green, to halt its development.

They have been supported by many local people.

Mansfield Woodhouse resident Mary Parkin has helped spearhead the protest.

She said: "The raid is heavy-handed, especially when we're trying to get the injunction for the village green part of it."

But some nearby residents have said they will be glad to see the protesters go.

Jeanette Walker, 44, of nearby Debdale Lane, said: "The protesters have killed the trees anyway by digging under them.

"Any support they had went a long time ago because of the state they have left the site in,"

Bellway Homes wants to clear the woodland so that the junction next to it, where Sherwood Rise meets Debdale Lane, can be enlarged.

The housing developer says the expanded junction is needed to accommodate traffic from the 250 houses it wants to build along Sherwood Rise.

Julian Kenyon, spokesman for Bellway Homes, said: "These people have been on the site illegally and the law is now taking its due process."

Three people have been arrested in connection with obstructing a High Court officer.

dont believe everything you read in the press, this protest is far from over - many prosecutions will follow and while there is still land to save, we will fight on.

We dont know all the details yet, but the way this eviction was done maybe the start of a very nasty trend - this was not done the normal way, there was NO care taken, it was lucky no one was killed. The tunnel was still occupied as the trees were being cut

Please dont just copy the newspapers and say thisis over - it isn't and wont be till we get justice

Well done to those involved. I hope it inspies others in future action

I thought I would show you some photography, of the authorites actions, after the mornings arrests.

More pictures at:  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/12/302471.html

Ooooops, forgot to mention, in addition to the Indymedia pages, have added a few more piccys on my FotoBlog at:  http://tashcamuk.fotopages.com/?entry=283456

While taking these, the police confined us to an area, without much of an overview of the site at ground level. I tried to see some of the activity there, but police were quite physical in shoving me back. They even kept me from the pavement from the other side of the road. I took it up with the police liason officer, who said I couldn't be there because of 'Health & safety considerations'. There was no felling work for a long long way in any direction.

Oh crumbs! it is such an over-used phrase, that has lost the import of its meaning. The phrase has been used at every incident I've attended for years. Its use is a convenient ploy to obstruct us. I know it, they know it.

____________________________________________
ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email:  tash@gn.apc.org
Web:  http://tash.gn.apc.org
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My Blog  http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com
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Member of the National Union of Journalists [No: 014345]
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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
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OS Grid Ref: SK 575414 - Lat/Lon: 52:58:03N, 1:08:38W

picture of the nottinghamshire fit officer.

photo from tashes website

we live right next to the site and have been totally apalled by the behaviour of the forces and council etc. Their actions in no way represent the thoughts of the locals. Of course all the press reports to date indicate otherwise. We have been actively involved with the protestors and have nothing but good words to say about them. We have had no trouble from them and they have been friendly to all of us residents. In fact it has to be said that whilst we had company in our trees it has been the safest time to walk along Debdale in the dark!!!

the protestors are fighting a worthy cause and have been on hand to speak to the local children about their cause. (my children included) My children have spent time at the trees and have painted banners and been on the TV supporting the cause. The children became involved because this is their future and their rights and they have certainly learned a valuable lesson, namely to fight for what you believe in and even if you dont win the cause you know you have done all that you can. They have done homework on the site and also class talks, these are the protestors of the future!

They made`a fabulous friend in Chris and absolutely adore Ben - have you thought of doing a charity calendar?!!

Thanks for all you have done and are continuing to do. Please dont forget about the locals and keep us involved through Mary.

You're stars in jars!

just wanted to say a big thumbs up to all involved.

and the comment above really shows how protests like this can add a lot to a community, everyone i met at the site was lovely and really cared about what they were doing, and it was great to see the amount of interraction and friendship with the community.

well done to everyone involved!

Re: support from locals comments above:

Well yes. This is true. And we know it.

But compare and contrast the coverage in the Nottingham Evening Post posted here, who appears to have found ONE that didn't agree. But then make it out to be representative of all.
We expect no better from local papers. 'Twas ever thus! I guess Belway and so on, advertise in the paper eh?

You could always call Robin Hood.

It's too bad this kind of action took place. It's the government flexing its arm, and pushing you without anyone caring. When will people realize that the government has given themselves enough power to do WHATEVER the fuck they want! Isn't that a little ridiculous?

Keep fighting the good fight, and we’ll make some noise for you!