South East England – Page 5

Balcombe update days 18 – 19 & 20

Day 18

Day 18 (Sun 11th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex
See The Great Gas Gala Website for upcoming events and how to get involved.

Day 18

Day 18 (Sun 11th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex
See The Great Gas Gala Website for upcoming events and how to get involved.

Update (2pm): Day 18 of the community fracking blockade in Balcombe. Huge numbers of people coming down to the site to support the blockade and sing together.

Day 19

Update (4pm): 2 arrests today. Highlight of day was homemade pizza brought down to feed people at lunch time!

Update (11am): 2nd truck of day took 40mins to get onto site. Come down and help protect Sussex.

Update (9:10am): One woman arrested while protecting Sussex from fracking.

Update (9am): Day 19 of the community fracking blockade in Balcombe. Renewed efforts by Cuadrilla to force fracking trucks through the blockade. Come lend your support!

Day 20

Update (11am): Police have forced 3 fracking trucks through the blockade today

Update (10am): Today the blockade in Balcombe goes Dutch. A contingent of people from the Netherlands is on their way to support the fight against fracking. They are expected to arrive around 3pm. Arch-frackers, Cuadrilla Resources, are also active in the Netherlands.

Update (9am): Day 20 of the community fracking blockade in Balcombe. Renewed efforts by Cuadrilla to force fracking trucks through the blockade. Come lend your support!

Balcombe update days 12 & 13

Update (11am): Day 12 and blockade still going strong. Cuadrilla need to get in a constant stream of trucks to keep drilling and the community are making it as difficult for them as possible.

Day 13

Update (9am): Day 13 and blockade still going strong. A lot of people stayed overnight. Some people also heading down to Crawley Magistrates Court for 9:30am to support two Balcombe Defenders charged as a result of blockade. Come show your support!

Balcombe update days 9-11

Day 11 (Sun 4th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex

Update (12pm): Good weather and people arriving for Tea Party this afternoon. Come on down!

Update (7am): Large number of people stayed overnight after the great day yesterday.

Day 11 (Sun 4th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex

Update (12pm): Good weather and people arriving for Tea Party this afternoon. Come on down!

Update (7am): Large number of people stayed overnight after the great day yesterday.

Day 10 (Sat 3rd) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex

Update (12:00pm): Villagers announce result of their own survey of village: 85 percent against, 9 percent undecided, 6 percent for fracking.

Update (11:30am): Around 250 more villagers stroll down to the blockade. Big crowd here.

Update (7am): Somerset Saturday today! Rig Race from London and Brighton.

Around 400 People At The Community Blockade In Balcombe

Day 9 (Fri 2nd) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex

Update (2:00pm): 2 arrests reported. Come down and support Balcombe.

Update (11:00am): Confused media rumour that drilling may start soon but drill isn’t moving.

Update (9:15am): Fylde Friday at the community blockade in Balcombe. Community groups from Lancashire are visiting to show their support. Police continuing to try to push trucks through the blockade. Weather a bit damp but spirits high.

Apparently Random Attack On Man At Community Blockade By Sussex Police

Another Fracking Truck Tries To Force Its Way Through In Balcombe

Community Groups From “Desolate” Lancashire Are Support Balcombe At The Blockade

There Is Always Another Fracking Truck To Block In Balcombe

Blocking Fracking Truck In Balcombe At The Community Blockade

Police Trying To Escort A Fracking Truck Through The Community Blockade

Latest News From The Great Gas Gala – Day 8

Update (3:45pm): Two fracking trucks forced through blockade with police escort. Ambulance called for lady pushed over by police.

Update (1:00pm): Police tow away fire engine with two frackfighters still lock on inside!

Update (3:45pm): Two fracking trucks forced through blockade with police escort. Ambulance called for lady pushed over by police.

Update (1:00pm): Police tow away fire engine with two frackfighters still lock on inside!

Update (11:00am): Police have put up scaffolding next to fire engine and are trying to cut frackfighters off. Driver arrested. Support Balcombe in its fight against fracking!

Update (8:45am): Police trying to talk frack-fighers into leaving! Will they succeed?

Update (7:30am): A beautiful day in Balcombe. Weather lovely and an old fire engine is blocking the entrance of Cuadrilla’s fracking site. How could it get any better? Support the community in Balcombe!

Update (6:50am): Balcombe gets more support. Antique fire engine blocking entrance of Cuadrilla’s fracking site in Balcombe in Sussex

Our Children Say No To Fracking In Balcombe

Police Trying To Tow Fire Engine Away With Frackfighters Still Inside!

Frackfighters Inside The Fire Engine At The Community Blockade In Balcombe

Police Suround Frackfighter’s Fire Engine At Community Blockade

Good Weather For Day 8 Of The Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe

Police Cutting Team On Roof Of Fire Engine In Blacombe

Police Have Put Up Scaffolding Next To Fire Engine In Balcombe

Police Trying To Remove Frackfighters From Cab Of Fire Engine In Balcombe

Very Sunny Day In Balcombe! Take Sensible Precautions!

Frackfighter’s Twitter Account Was Suspended Shortly After The Began Tweeting

Police Trying To Remove Frackfighters From Roof Of Fire Engine In Balcombe

Good Start To The Day At Community Fracking Bloackade Of Cuadrilla’s Site

Fracking Emergency Crew Block The Entrance To Cuadrilla’s Site In Balcombe

Community In Balcombe Gets Support From An Unlikely Source. Fracking Emergency!

The FrackFighters Settle In For The Long Haul At Balcombe Community Blockade

Community Fracking In Balcombe Get A Hand. Fracking Emergency!

Community In Balcombe Gets Support From An Unlikely Source. Fracking Emergency!

The Fracking Emergency Crew At The Balcombe Community Blockade

Fracking Emergency Crew Are In Balcombe! Old Fire Engine Blocking Entrance To Site

Fracking Emergency! Old Fire Engine Blocking Entrance To Fracking Site

Latest News From The Great Gas Gala – Day 7

31 July 2013 Fracking company Cuadrilla Resources are trying to start drilling in Balcombe, West Sussex and the community is trying to stop them. Over 250 people stopped 15 trucks bring on equipment on Day 1 (Thurs). On Day 2 more than 100 police were used to break the blockade and escort trucks onto the fracking site. On Day 3 the community continued to resist attempts to force trucks through the blockade but gave up early afternoon. On Day 4 Cudrilla did not attempt to bring any trucks onto the site. On Day 5 Cuadrilla continued to try to push trucks through the blockade and the community have continued to resist. Camp is still going strong and renewed efforts are being made to defend Balcombe.

Update (10:00am): Cuadrilla’s fracking site closed and trucks being turned away. Go Balcombe!

Update (9:00am): Two people superglue themselves together, locking the gate of the Cuadrilla fracking site to defend the community of Balcombe and Sussex more generally from fracking

Cuadrilla’s Fracking Site In Balcombe Blocked By Community

Two People Glue Around The Gate Of Fracking Site In Balcombe

Two People Lock The Gate Of The Cuadrilla Fracking Site In Balcombe

The Great Gas Gala Day 6

30 July 2013 Photos from yesterday show that the police are massing to get Cuadrilla vehicles onto the site at Balcombe, so Cuadrilla can begin the dangerous path to fracking.

Update (7:00pm): Rain cleared and more people coming down to show their support.

Update (5:00pm): Very large numbers of police being used to try to imposed fracking on the people of Balcombe. Come and support them!

Update (9:40am): Fracking truck attempting to force way through blockade with help of police. Come down and support community!

Update (9:00am): Weather not great today but but community standing strong against Cuadrilla’s fracking threat. Come support them.

Update (7:00am): Breakfast begin prepared at community blockade in Balcombe. Come down and support the fight against fracking.

Camp is still going strong and renewed efforts are being made to defend Balcombe. Come down and support the fight against fracking.

The Great Gas Gala – Day 5 In Pictures

29 July 2013

Update (11:00pm): Day 6! of the blockade tomorrow. Come down and support the community tomorrow.

29 July 2013

Update (11:00pm): Day 6! of the blockade tomorrow. Come down and support the community tomorrow.

Update (3:30pm): Blockade growing, as is size of police escorts for fracking trucks. Come to Balcombe and lend your support!

Update (3:30pm): 3 more people arrested defending Sussex from fracking. Come support Balcombe!

Update (2:30pm): 4 arrests so far at the community blockade today. Come down and support the fight against fracking!

Update (2:05pm): 8 months pregnant local mother shoved out of way by police. Shame!

Update (2:00pm): Large police presence and getting more hostile. Come support the commnity

Update (1:00pm): Police trying to push trucks through the blockade again

Update (1:00pm): Trucks brought to a halt for the moment. Police discussing what to do. Come on down!

Update (10:30am): One person arrested at community fracking blockade in Balcombe. Come and support the community in the fight against fracking.

Update (10:15am): Trucks backing up in village. Waiting to try and break the blockade. Come down now!

Update (10:00am): Police trying to escort truck through community fracking blockade. Come support the community fighting fracking in Sussex!

Update (9:55am): Police massing to try to break through the community blockade. Come down if you can!

Update (9:40am): Trucks expected to start arriving soon. Come on down!

Update (8:00am): No trucks so far. Come down and support the community in the fight against fracking!

Update (7:00pm): Police begin arriving for day. 30 people stayed at the camp overnight. Comes down and support the community.

Community Fracking Blockade Holding Back Truck In Balcombe

Police Escort For Fracking Truck At Balcombe Blockade

Size Of Police Escort For Fracking Trucks Has Been Doubled

People Sit In Road Blocking Fracking Truck From Entering Cuadrilla’s Site

People Link Arms To Defend Balcombe From Fracking

Blocking Fracking Truck Outside Cuadrilla’s Site In Balcombe

8 Months Pregnant Local Mother Being Shoved By Police

Pregnant Local Mother Being Comforted After Police Attack

People Rush Out To Defend Balcombe From Another Fracking Truck

Community Blocks Truck From Entering Fracking Site

Police Trying To Break The Community Blockade In Balcombe

Police Withdraw To Wait For The Next Fracking Truck To Arrive

Large Numbers Of The Community Blockade In Balcombe

Local Mother At The Community Blockade In Balcombe

Large Police Presence At Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe

A Quick Break For Lunch At The Community Blockade In Balcombe

Another Local Balcombe Family Joins The Blockade

Police Trying To Force Another Truck Through The Community Blockade

Camp At The Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe

Camp Well Supplied With Biscuits Due To Generous Donations

Families At The Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe

Community Distressed As Cuadrilla Tries To Force Fracking On Balcombe

Truck Out Of Resident’s Bedroom Window This Morning In Balcombe

Police Attempting To Break Through Community Blockade

Police Massing To Attempt To Break Through Community Blockade

Damage To Newly Resurfaced Road Out Fracking Site Due To Trucks

All Quiet On The West Sussex Front

No Names, No Frack Drill.

Day 5 of Balcombe village's struggle against Frack Attack (Update)

Update – Day 5 – Monday 29th July

Day 5 of Balcombe village's struggle against Frack Attack (Update)

Update – Day 5 – Monday 29th July

After a relatively quiet day on Sunday, today Monday, saw many vehicles arriving on site. Each delivery was met with heavy resistance. A heavily pregnant woman attempted to stop one of the trucks but was forced away as things got dodgy and dangerous. At the same time a man was arrested and brutally wrestled to the ground with a suspected broken arm.

For the rest of the afternoon more deliveries regularly turned up but only got through with police marching in front of each HGV and clashing with protesters attempting to stop them. A later delivery of office furniture saw a sit-down protest that resulted in a more significant delay and yet another arrest.

Perhaps as a sign of the struggle ahead the police have installed a mobile office on site and a casual conversation with one cop made it obvious that the police think they are there for the long haul. Some protesters thought it might pay to also set up a solicitor's office and branch of Infinity Foods alongside.

Last Week

After Thursday's successful stand -off, Friday saw ninety police deployed to force the first of Cuadrilla's trucks through the human barricades in front of the site gates. As protestors linked arms the cops began to make the first arrests.

Altogether sixteen arrests were made – using a section of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1992 , which was legislation first brought in to target flying pickets during industrial disputes. Two more were arrested on Saturday morning. Obviously Cuadrilla have now managed to start getting trucks in – but they're on a tight schedule with their drilling licence over by October. Allegedly they were supposed to get drilling today (Saturday) but that's been put back until Monday already. According to Anna Dark, a community representative “They need to get forty days of drilling done before the end of their licence, they've lost a day already – we can stop this!”

Cuadrilla's planning permission only allows for vehicle movements at certain times – they were supposed to stop at 1 pm today. Sussex cops started off claiming that there was an extension but backed down in the face of irate villagers demands to see the paperwork.

Undeterred by the show of repression a large protest camp has sprung up along the verge and with 90% of Balcombe village residents saying they're in favour of direct action this one could run and run.

SchNEWS has heard that there will be no truck movements tomorrow but there will be transport heading from Brighton up to the drilling site – leaving at 9 a.m from outside RBS on the Old Steine

For continuous updates and how to get involved http://frack-off.org.uk

or phone 07858 614861/07 944 087 421

http://www.schnews.org.uk/stories/No-Names,-No-Frack-Drill/

The Great Gas Gala – Day 4 In Pictures

28 July 2013

Update (11:30pm): 80 people staying at the camp tonight. Come down tomorrow bright and early to support the community against the fracking threat.

Update (7:00pm): Green and Black Cross ‘Know Your Rights’ workshop at camp now. If you’re can’t attend, do your homework here: http://greatgasgala.org.uk/know-your-rights/

Update (2:50pm): Cops throwing their weight around. Trying to force people t move a couple of feet for no particular reason, but nothing major.

Update (2:00pm): Blockade continuing to grow. About 80 people now. Locals bring down food to feed everyone

Update (12:45pm): Today the camp is mostly building showers & a toilet – relaxed & enjoying the sun

Update (12:00pm): Community blockade still going strong. Camp growing with 30 people staying overnight and more streaming in now. Check of the camp wish list if you are coming down.

Camp At The Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe

Family At The Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe

Camp At The Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe

Balcombe Resident Reading Sunday Papers At The Camp

Anti-Fracking Scarecrow Doing Its Job In Balcombe

The Great Gas Gala – Day 3 In Pictures

27 July 2013

Update (4:30pm): Community blockade now has a pool table. Relaxed atmosphere now Caudrilla have been stopped for rest of the day. Join us!

27 July 2013

Update (4:30pm): Community blockade now has a pool table. Relaxed atmosphere now Caudrilla have been stopped for rest of the day. Join us!

Update (3:10pm): Community blockade still growing with about 200 people. Police have announced that because of community concerns there will be no more deliveries today! Seems like Cuadrilla have been breaking conditions of their planning permission with the vehicle delivery times. Don’t hold your breath for anyone to be arrested and tortured over that though.

Update (1:40pm): About 100 people at the community blockade. Large numbers of police in wedge formations being used to try to push fracking trucks through community resistance. Police helicopter overhead.

Update (1:20pm): West Sussex County Council Highways called to patch up road damage caused by the few trucks that have already made it onto site.

Update (1:00pm): Large numbers of police being used to force through Cuadrilla’s fracking trucks against will of community. Come lend your support if you can!

Update (12:40pm): Police trying to get another truck through. The community is resisting. Come support them if you can!

Update (12:00pm): Second arrest of the day! Do come down and support the community if you can!

Update (11:55am): Another truck is being stopped by the community blockade

Update (11:15am): Numbers building at the camp and the weather is good. Do come down and join if you can!

Update (10:00am): Reinforcements arrive on the bus from Brighton but more needed. Come on down!

Update (9:45am): One Sussex resident arrested after sitting in front of truck.

Update (9:35am): Road closed and police trying to escort truck through community blockade. Get down to help if you can!

Update (8:55am): Police numbers increasing. Get down to help if you can!

Update (8:45am): Truck turned away from fracking site! Come down and join the blockade!

Update (8:00am): Sussex residents blocking site entrance again! Come down if you can!

Update (7:30am): Camp still going strong. Come on down!

Community Blockade At Balcombe Now Has A Pool Table

Community Blockade At Balcombe Still Growing

Council Workers Patch Road Damage After Just a Few Fracking Trucks Have Gone In

Large Numbers Of Police Being Used Force Fracking Trucks Through Community Resistance

Police Guard Truck Load Of Fracking Chemicals

Community Blocks Fracking Truck From Entering Site

Police Try To Escort Another Truck Through The Community Blockade

Another Truck Blocked At Site Entrance

Numbers Building At The Camp And Weather Is Good

Kitchen At The Community Blockade In Balcombe

Toxic Cuadrilla Scarecrow At The Community Blockade

Bus Load Of People From Brighton Arrive To Help Their Neighbours

Police Attempt To Escort Truck Through Community Blockade

Five Police Vans Arrive At Fracking Site

Attempts To Halt Deliveries To Fracking Site Continuing