Take back the land action
From John Goff
Saturday, 11 May 2019
The Take Back the Land campaigners should be utterly ashamed of themselves for camping on a farmer's field in Crimsworth Dene.
Firstly, the land does not belong to Walshaw and Lancashire Estates (neither does Walshaw Hamlet) - it has nothing to do with Bannister whatsoever, Secondly, the farmer in question has just gone through a serious health issue with evasive cancer and gruelling Chemo/Radio Therapy treatment and is just getting back on his feet - this issue has brought him a deep sense of stress.
The field that the camp is in, is his best meadow for getting winter feed for his stock - the land up there is not the best at any time, but it is all he has and campaigners (who you would think would have more compassion and sense) have dug a pit in the middle of his field to use as a toilet that will remain for a long time and a risk to his water supplies.
Not good for public relations - next time get your facts right.
From Paul D
Sunday, 12 May 2019
Such behaviour is quite poor. But given the Earl de Warrene was gifted that very same land from the local community by killing many of them almost 1000 years ago I feel negotiation and reparation are in order.
So, we should begin to think about giving the land back that was stolen and then the soil toilets can be dug deeper and the camp pitched further away from the Norman thieves homes who think they currently own it.
Paying a thief for stolen property doesn't make it yours. The land is ours. Get your Norman thieving backsides off it (you may need to add /ironic amusing emoji here)
But if you can’t make a valid point without offending local people then maybe yes - pack up.
From Gwendoline Goddard
Sunday, 12 May 2019
What a shame.
We went up there on Friday afternoon, taking food and good wishes, and were met by friendly young people a couple of whom were happy to stop their setting-up to talk to us and answer questions while others carried on with the main work of establishing the camp.
We asked about the reaction of the nearby farmer(s) and were told there had been initial difficulties but after sitting down and talking things through they achieved co-operation.
Two different stories.
See also
HebWeb News: Take back the Land - camp and occupation (4 May 2019)