Bully tactics fail to spoil Camp Titnore open day
Woodlander | 16.07.2006 17:28 | Ecology | South Coast
TITNORE Woods landowner Clem Somerset employed private security guards with video cameras to try and scare visitors away from the protest camp's open day on Saturday (July 15).
The uniformed staff from Ferring-based Guardian security also tried to hand out slips of paper warning people they were trespassing, adding: "If you choose to enter this land, you do so entirely at your own risk."
Guardian is the security firm involved in trying to stiffle opposition to the EDO weapons parts factory in Brighton.
But the move failed to intimidate camp supporters, a steady flow of whom turned up throughout the day to visit the camp and try their hand at various skills, such as making benders (shelters) and bows and arrows.
With public support for the camp in Worthing, West Sussex, very strong, it has also been announced that a Day of Action in support of Camp Titnore is to be staged on Saturday August 12.
A critical mass cycle ride has been called by Bikes Against Bulldozers, gathering at 12 noon at Goring-by-Sea railway station (main line between Brighton and Portsmouth). And at 2pm that afternoon there will be a town centre protest at Worthing Pier.
The battle to save Titnore Woods from a massive 875-home housing estate, road widening and associated new Tesco hypermarket has been waged locally for around five years.
On May 28 this year, with final planning permission looming, protesters moved onto the site in a dawn manoeuvre and set up a treetop protest camp. More info at www.protectourwoodland.co.uk and www.eco-action.org/porkbolter
* Protect Our Woodland is urging supporters to attend Worthing Borough Council's planning meeting at 2.30pm on Tuesday July 18. On the agenda is the council's Masterplan for Worthing, including the future of the West Durrington site and this could be a great opportunity to express opposition to the scheme. The meeting is at the town hall in Chapel Road, Worthing.
Guardian is the security firm involved in trying to stiffle opposition to the EDO weapons parts factory in Brighton.
But the move failed to intimidate camp supporters, a steady flow of whom turned up throughout the day to visit the camp and try their hand at various skills, such as making benders (shelters) and bows and arrows.
With public support for the camp in Worthing, West Sussex, very strong, it has also been announced that a Day of Action in support of Camp Titnore is to be staged on Saturday August 12.
A critical mass cycle ride has been called by Bikes Against Bulldozers, gathering at 12 noon at Goring-by-Sea railway station (main line between Brighton and Portsmouth). And at 2pm that afternoon there will be a town centre protest at Worthing Pier.
The battle to save Titnore Woods from a massive 875-home housing estate, road widening and associated new Tesco hypermarket has been waged locally for around five years.
On May 28 this year, with final planning permission looming, protesters moved onto the site in a dawn manoeuvre and set up a treetop protest camp. More info at www.protectourwoodland.co.uk and www.eco-action.org/porkbolter
* Protect Our Woodland is urging supporters to attend Worthing Borough Council's planning meeting at 2.30pm on Tuesday July 18. On the agenda is the council's Masterplan for Worthing, including the future of the West Durrington site and this could be a great opportunity to express opposition to the scheme. The meeting is at the town hall in Chapel Road, Worthing.
Woodlander