Otters In Newbury

Signs of visitation from Otters have been found at Rackmarsh, Bagnor on the Lambourne river. The Highways Agency response is: ‘We’ll build tunnels so they can cross safely,’ never mind trashing their habitat, a designated SSSI.

The European Parliament has written to the British Government asking them to explain the justification for going ahead with the bypass. This strengthens the case currently with the European Ombudsman. The ideal scenario is that eventually the Ombudsman refers the Newbury case to the European Court of Justice.

Almost half of the route is now fenced though recently 85 panels of 10 ft high mesh-welded security fencing (cost £160 per panel) was ‘pixied’ at the Chase compound. For some reason the Police don’t consider this ‘legitimate protest’ and are looking to isolate those involved in such ‘senseless acts of vandalism’ (their words).

At the Diggers Community, Gotan, a compound has been established immediately adjacent, but not including, the en-route vegetable garden. One pixie, dressed as a red hat, a team leader for Pinkertons, lead bemused white hats astray and upon reaching Gotan he threw off his hat proclaiming ‘I’m joining them’! More defections and deification are expected. Tree houses have been appearing at Spiritual Roots. This camp, adjacent to Gotan, is on a proposed access road which must be constructed prior to destruction work continuing. Indeed there are still a small number of trees on route requiring occupation.

Two tunnels, one below a flower bed at Gotan and the other at Spiritual Roots were captured. Next morning at Spiritual Roots, the Diggers, true to their name, dug out the poorly mixed concrete, reclaiming the cement for lock-ons and tunnel re-enforcement. The massive Police and Security night time operation must have cost the earth since it required two Cavers, said to be paid £3,000 each. After reclaiming the Spiritual Roots tunnel the police threatened its occupants with criminal damage to the soil! The tunnel remains occupied.

A further ten injunctions have been sought at the High Court, and this brings the total to twenty. There is no apparent reasoning behind the choice of people injuncted, with some having not been actively involved for months! For more information call Third Battle of Newbury on: 01635 45544.