We swarm...

We singe each other where our edges touch
Much too much ‘us’ in one place
Disaplacing reality as we
Scorch ourselves in embrace
Tracing lines of fire at our extremes

Cause only where extremes are spent
Were we ever able
Ever meant
To be

No place in day-to-day space for us
Just existing in the ether at the  shadow lines
Spine to spine on the line of existence
That breath of space where we embrace
Our souls

Where souls embrace our whole

And we recognize our entirety by being
Seeing the join and making it fade with recognition
Knowing that only here and now
Somehow, is the real of existence

I love you
I love who we are
When we’re together
Like this
Bliss in co-joined decision
To act
As one
For all
And all
For one

http://www.northfylde-ps.co.uk/alancadman.html

We’re swarming now…
Like starlings gathering at sunset
We’ve finally met our points of union
And soon there’ll be so many more
We’ll soar…
High on truth and trust
Filled with lust
…for the honourable path

2014 ...out of place

The best faces come when staring bleakly into the worst places... seeking solace.

The ugly of the reality, of the shape of the corruption and abuse of power we uncover as we strive to make sense of the seeming idiocy of those imposing on us ...is sickening.   As we question those in office about the decisions they are making that directly affect our lives - we are made to hush. As we stand to protect vital resources from obvious, immediate threat - we are pushed down and arrested away. As we speak and share and spread truths to those not yet informed - we are shouted down by over-funded, over-hyped, PR-manipulated BS from Marketing Agencies charged with masquerading beasts as saviours.

This can’t have just happened; must have been a system morphing over time from what is perceived as ‘democracy’ to this ugly brute of bullying hypocrisy that somehow ‘puts us in our place’ – as if such a thing existed!

I blame our parents… and theirs and theirs and theirs – couldn’t they see this coming? Didn’t they notice the ebbing away of true human rights and freedoms? Didn’t they recognize that the gifts of ‘choice’ were myths and treason?

And what are WE now? Are we them? Will our children wear their soft-coated shackles and thank us for them? If we sit back – don’t act… then we add to the barbaric attacks on our resources and most of all – our ability to affect our lives, protect ourselves, stand up for others and play any role in what new rules are enforced upon us to barricade us out of the way.

It’s been a terrific and horrific journey from Occupy, through fracking... to here

The terrific is actually more magical than that word explains – my heart is so damned, ridiculously full it could explode… expanded and nourished by the most glorious humans I have ever met. I’ve learned more than I thought could be known, have hugged with true hearts and genuine feeling more than all the rest of the years of my life and I have never felt more positive about the future – my faith is beautifully wrapped, intact and makes a map of certainty.

Yeah the awful stuff is happening, threatening, burdening us with dwelling still in the cold ugly places of faceless, soul-starved corporates… but WE are there – it isn’t just you or just me holding up a sign… we are tribe!

What now? What next? It's just this moment become 2014 and it feels like that really matters; feels like we need each and every, single other... more now than ever before.

Radio interview ▶ Fracking Special 29July2013 by Dave Hampton

▶ Fracking Special 29July2013 by Dave Hampton

There are media demands that go alongside activism and most of them sadly, are truly unpleasant - this however was a relaxed and enjoyable interview with Dave Hampton of Marlow FM.

From his link:
[A chance to listen again to the Watt Next "Fracking Special" back in July. You heard it here first on Marlow FM. Great show, though I say it myself, and great content 39 mins in with Tina Louise-uk




 

Democracy not found in Balcombe

(despite digging deep to find some trace of it)

Today was the day that the press release came out announcing that an event originally scheduled to take place at West Burton Power Station – would now be held in Balcombe, West Sussex. The event is ‘Reclaim The Power’ and it will now join ‘The Great Gas Gala’ in this welcoming, beautiful village in West Sussex; the current frontline of the stand against a relatively new form of ‘unconventional’ energy extraction, fracking for shale gas. The opposition to 'unconventionals' is based on overwhelming reports of harm by this industy from America, Australia and more.

Now on day 13, The Great Gas Gala has brought together villagers as well as concerned UK residents from across the country, to camp at the roadside entrance to a drilling site where exploration for gas and oil is being undertaken by Cuadrilla Resources (Chairman Lord John Brown). More than 30 arrests, insane amounts of police brutality and so, so many attempts at halting, slowing or even slightly delaying the trucks that deliver the equipment, have broken hearts and strengthened resolve.

The numbers on the roadsides vary from 100-350 depending on the time and day and although these wonderful, dedicated souls are enduring beautifully...

... it can’t go on, they need help

In a democracy, we would have the ear of those in office and the village vote of 80% AGAINST the drilling, would count for something; that it doesn’t... matters, maybe as much as the insistence by those in office that we accept this dirty, risky business on our land.

I have been in Balcombe over the past two weekends and feel no need to justify the reason the camp exists or explain the respect these people deserve – surely, this is obvious? Some of the mainstream media don’tsee it this way but the mainstream media is out of step with reality on too many things for this to have been unexpected. 'Activism' is not a lifestyle choice – it is an obligation by those who see a wrong and act to correct it.

A phone call had alerted me to an upcoming meeting where the possibility of moving the Reclaim the Power event to Balcombe was being discussed. It was made clear that the event would not come to Balcombe uninvited and people involved wanted to talk to villagers and ask their views; as I was going to the site and had met some of the warm, friendly (feisty!) villagers, I was asked to arrange a get-together with some of them. 

I was so very torn

The people I know from Reclaim the Power are exemplary - I trust those I know implicitly and am certain of their right, just and appropriate intent - but I still did not really know how I would feel if I were a villager of Balcombe, if I was presented with this. A night of long pondering followed until I got it down to two simple and unavoidable choices I thought the villagers faced:

-accept that Cuadrilla WILL drill because they clearly have the power to wrap our laws and law-enforcement around their machinery in order to ensure they are not stopped

~ OR ~

-accept the powerful offer of help from a dedicated, well-organised group of determined people that comes with unknowns...  a large number of people, living together in tents, performing acts of civil disobedience and having to confront the law, does not come without incidents. BUT ...a large number of people, living together in tents, performing acts of civil disobedience and confronting Cuadrilla - is probably the ONLY thing that stands a chance right now.

On Saturday, as 120 villagers walked into the camp, singingnew words to Jerusalem, smiling broadly and adorned with children – there was no more beautiful sight; it followed though on the heels of countless vile incidents of police brutality in defence of Cuadrilla vehicles in the preceding days. This contrast of idyllic village life and ugly confrontation is a stark and raw vision of light and dark, right and wrong, good and bad.

A showdown is imminent, inevitable and so horrid that I want to get under the duvet, pretend it all away and not come out till it somehow just stops being a fact. It’s the heaviest feeling knowing that IF we don’t stop Cuadrilla in Balcombe that not only do we put our air, water and health at serious risk – but that any ideas about living in a democracy, are just fantasy. The power of those with financial interests in this industry, over our government - is evidenced beyond doubt and obvious with every policy decision made by those in office.

IF we tolerate this – then we accept we have no voice

I watched a cluster of smiling women from different walks of life, discuss feelings about relocating Reclaim the Power to Balcombe’s Great Gas Gala and thereby infusing it with many hundreds more people; video and notes from this meeting of  villagers and visitors from Reclaim the Power went to a meeting of those involved in the event and today’s press release is the outcome.

Reclaiming the power
...means more than sane energy decisions 

Change is already happening in Balcombe, not just this stand the villagers are making or the camp that is growing but the realisation of another reality that comes with each arrest, each ignored vote, each rejected petition, each un-heeded planning objection, each ignorant political response, each ill-informed Councillor, each revelation of powerful lobbyists in OUR government, each divisive headline in the press and each and every moment... that what we KNOW to be true, is hidden from view. 

IF the drill at Balcombe is not stopped, it will do its job on West Sussex then return to Lancashire for more of the same – I live in Blackpool, where the drill is due next - so I know what I would choose, if I were a Balcombe villager.

*Calling the cavalry.

Bigger than Balcombe...

Bigger than any of us...

As many turn their focus to Balcombe, West Sussex where energy company/drillers Cuadrilla are currently facing local opposition to their plans to 'frack' for oil or gas, it is clear that this is not going to go quietly away. The media are playing on the fact that it is not only the villagers of Balcombe that are trying to stop Cuadrilla - but that they are joined by protest groups and individuals from elsewhere in the country; the media portray this as a bad thing (I see it as a support and giving-a-damn thing).

It made me think about how it must be to be from Balcombe - what would I want if I was them?

As we have had Cuadrilla here in Lancashire for a while and they have ignored every form of legal objection, continued to flog propoganda in our press and schools, confused/misled/fantasised most of our Councillors/MPs into cheerleaders and paid NO attention to our pleas... we feel small, powerless and at risk; I think we would be rejoicing if others from ANYWHERE came and helped us protect our community from this dangerous industry with its appalling safety record and history of harm in its wake.

For the villagers of beautiful Balcombe, the choice ahead seems to be:

- accept that Cuadrilla aren't listening and have the power to wrap our law enforcement around their vehicles – ensuring that they WILL drill

OR

- accept that when/if other groups and individuals come to help stop Cuadrilla – that there may be people, actions and interactions that are not only unfamiliar - but maybe so far away from ‘normal’ that it can be worrying.

AND... while I was thinking about all this it also became clearer that because the risk of harm is to our shared, vital resources: air, water and agriculture – that maybe it is impossible to define this community defence by geography.

The unconventional energy business (fracking shale, coal seam gas etc) has made it clear that more than 65% of our country is up for grabs – so this is actually OUR stand, not just Balcombe’s.

The villagers, understandably – wish none of this was their reality (we do too) but it is and this is a crucial time because every time they drill, they pass through our precious land and aquifers and the potential for harm begins (even before they begin ‘fracking’).

Last weekend I went to Balcombe and met some amazing people from the village and elsewhere - each with a shared purpose and huge determination - regardless of their differences in origin or status (ie: first time protester or active on issues over a long time period); returning tomorrow.

I am not a label...

It is infuriating, misleading, propagandist and downright wrong that the media define those of us who are questioning the process of shale gas extraction (fracking) and other unconventional energy practices - by their own limited views.

Giving a damn about the health, safety and well-being of our communities does NOT mean we are ‘ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS UP IN ARMS’ or ‘ENVIRONMENTALISTS OBJECTING’...
...we are PEOPLE who are objecting.

People who gather into groups to share concerns and attempt to protect our communities. The large, long-established, well-known groups focus on environmental effects as part of the bigger global picture but most in the communities due to be 'fracked' - are simply everyday human beings trying to find out if the water and air we rely on for life will stay safe; whether the roads where we live will be jammed full of heavy diesel spewing vehicles carrying undiluted chemicals; whether our local farmers will still be able to produce safe food for our markets if the agricultural land is harmed; whether our current industries and jobs may be affected by this new industry; whether the industrialisation of our land is what is best for our communities.

The topic of unconventional energy and shale gas extraction (fracking) specifically is being made to move on from ‘IS IT ACTUALLY SAFE, worthwhile and beneficial for the humans (rather than the industry and those invested in it)?’ TO how much they will get in TAX BREAKS to incentivise and encourage this dirty business - as well as how much communities will be paid and who in those communities will GET THE CASH.

We (the humans who are deeply worried about our lives and those of our families and future generations) are gathering for a 'community conversation' tomorrow - if you can be here, we would warmly welcome your input x

Local Group wins National Award: “Campaign of the Year” - Press Release

At their annual ‘Earthmovers’ ceremony this weekend, Friendsof the Earth awarded 'Campaign of the Year' to Fylde campaign group, Residents’Action on Fylde Fracking (RAFF).

Accepting the award, Julie Daniels of RAFF said: “This award is for all the groups and amazing individuals who have worked tirelessly to confront this threat to our communities. The industries seeking to extract unconventional sources of energy here are finding more and more people who know the truth and do not believe the propaganda; we are a growing force to be reckoned with.”

Presenting the award, Andy Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth said: "We're delighted to recognise Residents Against Fylde Fracking for their outstanding campaigning against dirty shale gas.

"They have inspired communities across the UK with their creativity and commitment, and show what can be achieved when a group of ordinary people come together to protect their community.

"They deserve to win not just this award but the bigger battle against fracking."

Praise, thanks and inclusion in the acceptance of the award also went to other local groups; Ribble Estuary Against Fracking, Frack FreeFylde, Refracktion and Defend Lytham as well as national groups Britain & Ireland Frack Free and Frack Off.

Tina Rothery of RAFF added: "Of course the true prize comes when we stop shale gas and other unconventional energy extraction here in the UK and beyond but for now, this award presents an exceptional opportunity to access the resources and support of Friends of the Earth who have groups throughout the UK and the world. Their support and solidarity is priceless."

Gathering on the Green

News of the award comes in time for the second ‘Gathering on the Green’ that takes place on Saturday 20 July at 2pm. The first gathering was in 2012 when local group opposing shale gas extraction arranged to meet at the Lytham Windmill during the Open Golf.

This year the groups are asking for local residents to join them for a community conversation about the risks posed by the shale gas industry.

Tina Rothery of RAFF said: “In addition to the local campaigning groups, representatives from national groups Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace will also be joining us to show support and contribute to this important conversation.  The recent report by the Advertising Standards Agency that reprimanded Cuadrilla for misleading and exaggerating their claims about the safety of ‘fracking’, show that we need honesty and residents need access to that. We’re hoping that everyone with concerns will come along.”