Water Meadows Occupation

The occupation of the threatened Bury St Edmunds Water Meadow in Suffolk continues despite gales, floods and cold winter weather. The camp was set up in opposition to plans by the Greene King brewery to build a road through the area. The road has been approved in spite of a local plan which clearly states that there should be no roads or further development on the Meadows.

The campaigners' latest tactic is to take resistance beyond the site and hit Greene King in the pocket with a boycott of their products. There will also be pickets outside local pubs to inform drinkers of the reasoning behind this latest tactic.

At the end of January the brewery responded to opposition to their development plans by demolishing an old derelict bridge which links the camp with its treehouses. Later in the same day two scab climbers went up to a tree house but unexpectedly found it occupied by a protestor bearing a Section 6 Notice. They said nothing and withdrew. Finally, Greene King sent a lorry of rubble to tip in the only entrance to the field and, despite advice from the police, blocked the entrance. An informal get together takes place at the meadow at 3pm each Sunday. To offer support (camp residents needed) contact 01359 240365 or 01284 760835.