protesting years 1996

Monday 8^th January 1996

Newbury demo at Lewisham against security guards. I couldn’t make it – heard nothing of it. It all starts tomorrow. Arranged to go down on Wednesday with Jackie/Joe/Adelle and kids. Took day off. Did failure report as quick as possible.

Tuesday 9^th January 1996

3^rd Battle of Newbury: day one

4 am: about 40 protesters arrive at Abbots Farm where up to 400 security guards were encamped in marquees and barns. After coaches wheich were due to take them to site of by-pass work arrive, protesters set up two tripods blocking the road on either side. Coaches are prevented from leaving. Work is suspended for the day by the contractor, CA Blackwell. Due to lack of security. Tripods removed by police.

Can’t wait till tomorrow. Got up late as usual. Got to work late. Last time I wake up in bed with Lynn? Momentous occasion. At work I finish fault report and gave copies to Pete in the afternoon. Lunchtime I typed up agenda for Greenpeace meeting. New A/C - 15/16 turned up. Fantastic. Joe/Lisa/Simon and girl friend/ many new members/ most regulars. Packed agenda took a long time to get through. Only drank two pints and cycled home before 11.00. Got dogs in and gave Tess her tablets. Went to bed around 1am.

Wednesday January 10^th 1996

3^rd battle of Newbury: day two

Got up early – packed. Saw to cats, rats an dogs. Left at 8.15. Met Adelle at Paddington with her 2 children. She was very excited and as it turned out very happy to have come along. Arrived at 10.20. Went to office. Got lift to site and action occurring as we arrived. Loads of press. Digger was surrounded by 100 protesters and maybe 50/60 security guards. They’d managed to destroy 50 trees but that was all they did that day. Around 12 they agreed to stop work and the digger was removed. We went t0 Safe Camp or Visitor’s Centre after meeting Shiela (& a LibDem MP). Forgot to mention that we saw Leslie Philips at Newbury station. Jackie had a go at a woman in a fur coat. Safe Camp – the land was donated by a sympathetic farmer. They had electricity, fridges, cooking facilities, good toilets (though basic) and several benders, marquees, etc. We ate, drank coffee and finally left for home. Bus took us to Newbury and train to Paddington. Pub for an hour or two and then home. I decided in the moment to visit Dave and saw news coverage of Newbury. Dave game me a copy of elastica LP and lent me Morrissey, Seude, McAlmont and Butler. Saw to dogs. Chucked off muddy clothes.

Joe joked about us being westcountry farmers at Paddington, in his wellies. Jackie tried to get me to go to NZ for a year. Adelle was excited ab0ut meeting people she hadn’t seen in a while – Pete, Sheila, Shane and Phil.

Found out that ‘mad Chris’ was facing charges of organising our road block.

Thursday January 11^th

Bettle of Newbury day 3; living without Lynn day 3 also.

Still having trouble getting up. Although my alarm went off at 6. I got up at 7.50. Fed cats, rats, gave pill to Tess. A little bit hungover. Exhilerated from yesterday. Imagining: eco warrior (part-time) arriving in AFC office. Hero to the people, fighting against the evil road builders, destroyers of the forests. Reality: Sam said “hello” as I walked in and I made coffee, logged on to computer to finish Bakerloo Disc. Ended up, however, putting together FA Cup Fantasy League spreadsheet. Fantasy results: Fang 6, Steve 7. My transfers beginning to pay off. Jerry only got 1, Pete now 2^nd, I’m 3^rd and 4^th. I’ve not yet been out of the top half. FA Fantasy: I’m 3^rd and 5^th.

Lynn rang and we arranged to meet at Crank’s, 5.15. She needs help with Moles (chemistry). George asked about Newbury (at last someone showed interest!). Lunchtime: bought papers for Newbury reports, and UFO Magazine. Bought a VW magazine for Lynn. Ate nothing. I was in one of the photos in the Guardian. Ruth’s old stuff got chucked out which caused much hilarity. I grabbed what was her dictionary. Left message with Joe about going to Newbury in Lynn’s Beetle on Monday. Joe got in touch to say he’s be coming without Jackie. Left work at 4.45 and headed to Cranks. Bill came to £10.70. Lynn had cauliflower cheese, and I had a spinach and cheese bake thing. She kissed me when we parted which surprised me. Returned the VW magazine as she already had it. Went home via Victoria. Tidied up but somehow hurt my leg which meant I couldn’t walk the dogs. Jimmy the rat looked well. Kitten was a nuisance. Phone 

messages – Emma the GP A/C, Andy from Cash in Hand, Joe Sweeney and Dave the sound man. Later I spoke to a woman from RTS, then Sheila. After, I rang Joe. Got dogs in and had to get them to calm down a bit. Listened to McAlmont and Bluter, Elastica. R4 news about Newbury campaigns. Apparently all the work was stopped by 10.30 am. 3 – nil to us. I sorted out my walking/camping gear. Balaclava, gloves, boots, waterproof mac.