Wales Newswire Archive

Protest the use of Llanbedr airfield for drone testing - Noon 30 Oct

the planned march through cardiff turned into farce

Last Thursday night, 23 October, local campaigners against fracking and other 'unconventional' (extreme) gas extraction methods held a public meeting in Borras, Wrexham not far from where Green Park Energy, bought out by Dart Energy, bought out by IGas, have just been given permission to undertake exploratory drilling ostensibly for coal bed methane. The local pub was packed out with standing room only and not much of that as the local community turned out in force to find out more, many angry that the unelected and unaccountable Planning Inspectorate had overturned the decision of Wrexham council's Planning Committee whose members had voted (17 to 2) to reject the planning application back in March.

Meet at11:45 on the Green in front of Cardiff Castle opposite the Rummer Tavern CF10 1AY

GP Energy (who were bought out by Dart who in turn have been bought out by IGas) applied for planning permission to do an exploratory drill for coal bed methane (CBM) at Borras, Wrexham. Frack-off describes coal bed methane as the evil twin of shale gas. Wrexham council refused the application back in March after at lot of work by local people to educate the planning committee on the dangers of unconventional gas extraction. The success of this was at least in part due to increased awareness of the issues as a result of a test drill happening at the same time in nearby Farndon. Unfortunately, the Wales Planning Inspector overturned the council's decision earlier this month - on some distinctly dodgy grounds - and the site is now under imminent threat of test drilling, even though it is in an area where the government's own report has indicated CBM extraction isn't feasible due to the geology.

A public meeting has been called for 23 October in Borras but, in advance of that, the site has been occupied this weekend and a community protection camp set up. Support (including more campers) and supplies needed. Please get there if you can. Postcode LL13 9TG. There's a camp Facebook group or you can contact Frack-Free Wrexham for more information.

In the midst of a period of intensified police harassment of some anarchists & other radicals in & around Bristol, the Bristol Defendant Solidarity project and numerous other groups have issued a statement of defiance, mixing support & solidarity for those who need it, with legal advice & rights info.

DPRTE – “The UK’s Premier Defence Procurement Event” was held in Cardiff’s Motorpoint arena.

These photos of the proposed drilling site - application refused by Wrexham council and overturned by the Planning Inspectorate - and the surrounding countryside were taken yesterday afternoon. All very idyllic... for the moment.

The test drilling is supposed to be for coal bed methane (CBM) - in an area where the government's own report says CBM extraction simply won't work. So what are the frackers really up to?

Earlier this week, the Planning Inspector granted the appeal by GP/Dart/now IGas against Wrexham Council's refusal to grant planning permission for a test drill for Coal Bed Methane at Borras (near Commonwood) near Wrexham. Test drilling on the site could now go ahead at any time.

Yesterday, Saturday 11 October, flyers for a public meeting on 23 October were handed out to football fans before the Wrexham vs. Grimbsy 150th anniversary game. If we want to see another 150 years of Wrexham AFC we're going to have to stop the frackers.

Previous indymedia reports from Wrexham and nearby Farndon: Farndon Camp & Wrexham Council planning refusal | Wales Against Fracking Day of Action

Last month, the Manning solidarity crew in Wales and Ireland were back in action, organising a visit to Dublin for Chelsea Manning's Welsh-Irish mother during which Afri (Action from Ireland) hosted a memorial evening for the late Gerry Conlon who died this summer and who met members of Manning's family during a previous trip to Dublin last year.

Trigger warning: contains discussion of rape and links to articles which discuss rape.

Yesterday, seven people gathered at short notice from 4.30pm on a busy route close to the centre of Wrexham and outside the office of Labour MP and Shadow Minister for the Middle East, Ian Lucas, to protest government plans (supported by Labour) to join the US-led coalition that's bombing Iraq again.

See also this previous article.

Thursday 25 September
4.30 - 6.30pm
39 Rhosddu Road, Wrexham LL11 2NS

Join us outside the office of Wrexham MP Ian Lucas which is on a busy route out of Wrexham with plenty of passing traffic at that time of day.

Demand NO British involvement in the US-led war on Isis in Iraq and Syria.

It's ten years since a group here in Wrexham occupied Ian Lucas' office in protest at his abstension on the crucial Iraq war vote and his abject failure to oppose the war once it had started although he'd previously said a second UN resolution was essential.

Now he's the Shadow Minister for Africa and the Middle East.

8.30 am at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena. Wednesday, the 8th of October

“When the rich wage war, it’s the poor who die.” – Jean-Paul Sartre

Report of solidarity with imprisoned Welsh-American whistleblower Chelsea Manning in August and September in Wales before, during and after the NATO summit.

Full article with links here:

 http://wp.me/p42I6Q-fU

Statement from new squatted social centre in South Wales

Join us once again in Wrexham for a day celebrating peace and calling for an end to all warfare. This day is about coming together and sharing what we have in a spirit of peaceful cooperation. Peace Day events in Wrexham have always been free of charge and open to all. The success of the day is about what each of us brings to it. You are invited to bring vegetarian food to share and items you no longer need for the free stall. If you have anything else you would like to offer free of charge (no selling), please get in touch.

It's not too difficult to get your head around is it? Decentralisation, the breaking up of the British state. What's not to not want?

On Monday of the Stop NATO week of action - Mon 1st Sep - an action took place against austerity, evictions and benefit cuts.

Here are some photos from outside the bank while the two hour die-in/occupation was taking place inside.

Background & pics from inside/arrests:  https://indymedia.org.uk/en/2014/09/517985.html