Lancashire people who oppose fracking are invited to the third ‘Gathering on The Green’ on Saturday 19 July from 2-6pm by the windmill on Lytham-St-Annes’s central beach.
Opposition to fracking (shale gas extraction) is snowballing in Lancashire with local groups forming in almost every village and town in the Fylde Coast area, where fracking company Cuadrilla has made numerous license applications. (See previous story)
Residents Against Fylde Fracking, who are hosting the Gathering said:
“The industry & Government have suggested we can be bought-off with ‘sweeteners’.
“That WE would sell our right to health, safety and quality of life…and that of our children; as if we live by the same morals they work by.
“The fantastic work of residents, communities, local, national and international groups has meant that ‘fracking’ has stayed in the news and despite the wealth and power of those behind this dangerous industry – the opposition to it grows more informed and numerous. We need to make it loud and clear that we do not accept this threat to our community and to do that, we need to gather ourselves together and show we are united on THIS ISSUE.
“The gathering is for residents, friends, families, businesses and any who feel that the shale gas industry comes with too many risks. A day for picnics, conversation, information and a show of numbers that makes our position clear and says ….we will not be bought-off.
“As we gather for a third time – we are now 15+ groups and growing rapidly. As each area was given the opportunity to access the truth and reality of what fracking for shale gas involves… a new group naturally formed to defend the community and further share the information.
“Around this time last year and the year before, we had our first and second ‘Gathering on the Green’ events and now in 2014, as Cuadrilla put planning in for more sites in our area – we are in URGENT need of another one. So again and this time much more LOUDLY – we call for a gathering on Lytham Green by the Windmill of all who are concerned about Fracking.
“The politicians just aren’t sure we mean it when we say shale gas extraction in Lancashire (or anywhere else) comes with too many risks.”
The campaigners will have to shout loudly indeed. Cuadrilla’s chairman Baron Browne of Madingley was embedded in the Cabinet as Government Lead Non-Executive in June 2010. His remit is to work with Secretaries of State to appoint non-executives to the board of each government department.
Local anti-fracking campaign links:
RAFF – Residents Action on Fylde Fracking
Ribble Estuary Against Fracking – Reaf GB
Roseacre Awareness Group – RAG
GAF – Garstang Against Fracking
Fleetwood Folk Say NO Fracking (FFS NO Fracking)
Frack Free Creators – Knitting Nannas Lancashire
Singleton Treasure Karoo Action Group
Keep East Lancashire Frack Free – KELFF
Preston New Rd (Westby with Plumpton)