In 2016 six British anti-fracking protesters occupied a field in Dorset which had planning permission for an oil exploration well. We remained camped on site until the planning permission expired and the drilling company went bankrupt. None of us were local residents, but we were supported, fed and financed by local people and businesses. The celebratory party just before Christmas of that year was superb!
We had saved the beautiful seaside resort of Swanage and the fragile Jurassic Coast from permanent and ugly oil production infrastructure.
Thank you! You made a difference. My sister moved there a couple years after. I'll make sure she's aware of this. Support *after* the event is important too.
Thank you, I’m here in Swanage and walk where you saved. I was just entering local politics back then but I was dropped like a hot stone when I was the only one who spoke up against this project. I had my first insight into how power works.
I was certainly well aware that the vast majority of local politicians were keenly supporting Infrastrata’s application for planning permission. At an early Swanage Town Council meeting I attended by invitation from some alarmed local people who had heard of me and my attendance at numerous proposed fracking sites. I live in Corfe Mullen so this particular proposal was virtually on my doorstep. I stood up before the councillors and confirmed that I would defend the Jurassic Coast at Swanage by establishing an occupation and protest on similar lines to those seen at Balcombe in Sussex.
The next day I received a phone call from Bournemouth and Poole Constabulary who said they were investigating my “threat”. I laughed and said, “Oh no, love! That was not a threat. It was a promise!” and so, together with a few friends, we set up a camp actually within the perimeters of the proposed drill site. We were tipped off by a local farmer that horses on that field were about to be relocated.
There were seldom more than half a dozen of us on site but we built a strong shelter and local people came to visit us with all kinds of aid and support. It turned out that, in the entire decade fighting fracking, our little camp on the windy hills above Swanage was the only occupation in Britain which actually succeeded in completely halting an oil and gas rig from setting up.
We had to win that one. Can you imagine such a precious site blighted by an oil rig looming over the town?
Later, after Infrastrata went bankrupt, another explorer went to the extreme expense of locating an offshore exploration semi-submersible in Poole Bay, but the natural gas deposit that had drawn their attention proved to be too small and therefore unprofitable.
In 2019 the geology of Britain came to our rescue and reacted with earthquakes around a drill site in Lancashire. We also proved that all oil and gas installations are radioactive. When I delivered that news during a live radio interview, the government scrambled to call a moratorium on fracking in the UK which has held until today. I do occasionally hear weak calls from bought politicians for onshore fracking to begin again, but it never amounts to action. Nevertheless, we continue to monitor with vigilance.
Thanks very much for getting in touch - pass my affection to Swanage!
Thank you Frances. It was indeed a shocking place to even consider doing something like this. I am surprised that there is not a similar “sit in” or encampment on the beaches/sites they land the illegal migrant boats these days but people seem to find moaning on x should do it, whereas of course it won’t actually do anything
Interesting that this occurred as the world was on the unknowing doorstep of WW2. Also a coincidence that all parties involved were to be heavily involved in huge contracts for armor and machinery to be deployed across all boundaries of the conflict, and conveniently to occupy the uncontested positions of having weathered the war to be essential to the rebuilding of industry post war.
What a great story on courage and commitment to justice in whatever strategy helps balance a system. It helps to have great minds to strategize movements in the right direction. All is not lost, yet!
In 2016 six British anti-fracking protesters occupied a field in Dorset which had planning permission for an oil exploration well. We remained camped on site until the planning permission expired and the drilling company went bankrupt. None of us were local residents, but we were supported, fed and financed by local people and businesses. The celebratory party just before Christmas of that year was superb!
We had saved the beautiful seaside resort of Swanage and the fragile Jurassic Coast from permanent and ugly oil production infrastructure.
Thank you! You made a difference. My sister moved there a couple years after. I'll make sure she's aware of this. Support *after* the event is important too.
Thank you, Francis, for your passion and your convictions.
Thank you, I’m here in Swanage and walk where you saved. I was just entering local politics back then but I was dropped like a hot stone when I was the only one who spoke up against this project. I had my first insight into how power works.
I was certainly well aware that the vast majority of local politicians were keenly supporting Infrastrata’s application for planning permission. At an early Swanage Town Council meeting I attended by invitation from some alarmed local people who had heard of me and my attendance at numerous proposed fracking sites. I live in Corfe Mullen so this particular proposal was virtually on my doorstep. I stood up before the councillors and confirmed that I would defend the Jurassic Coast at Swanage by establishing an occupation and protest on similar lines to those seen at Balcombe in Sussex.
The next day I received a phone call from Bournemouth and Poole Constabulary who said they were investigating my “threat”. I laughed and said, “Oh no, love! That was not a threat. It was a promise!” and so, together with a few friends, we set up a camp actually within the perimeters of the proposed drill site. We were tipped off by a local farmer that horses on that field were about to be relocated.
There were seldom more than half a dozen of us on site but we built a strong shelter and local people came to visit us with all kinds of aid and support. It turned out that, in the entire decade fighting fracking, our little camp on the windy hills above Swanage was the only occupation in Britain which actually succeeded in completely halting an oil and gas rig from setting up.
We had to win that one. Can you imagine such a precious site blighted by an oil rig looming over the town?
Later, after Infrastrata went bankrupt, another explorer went to the extreme expense of locating an offshore exploration semi-submersible in Poole Bay, but the natural gas deposit that had drawn their attention proved to be too small and therefore unprofitable.
In 2019 the geology of Britain came to our rescue and reacted with earthquakes around a drill site in Lancashire. We also proved that all oil and gas installations are radioactive. When I delivered that news during a live radio interview, the government scrambled to call a moratorium on fracking in the UK which has held until today. I do occasionally hear weak calls from bought politicians for onshore fracking to begin again, but it never amounts to action. Nevertheless, we continue to monitor with vigilance.
Thanks very much for getting in touch - pass my affection to Swanage!
Thank you Frances. It was indeed a shocking place to even consider doing something like this. I am surprised that there is not a similar “sit in” or encampment on the beaches/sites they land the illegal migrant boats these days but people seem to find moaning on x should do it, whereas of course it won’t actually do anything
the required reading including research
the analysis of who did what
when & how
i question my ability or anyone else’s abilities to apply or
even have the time.
Yet am intrigued if you have read HOW WE WIN
there are more by that title
this one is by someone active from the 1960’s. He has other writings & lectures (or did)
George (do not have ability
to look up & pressed for time
at 78 am awed by young
what they are facing
Some elders have told me
those my age also
then only a few are familiar
with the way a clock
has gears & that makes a difference Eugene Debs
Margaret Mead Rebecca West
Eugene Finn mean nothing to
most.
i do not critique i find intrigue wherever i go
even when i try to sew
be careful what you sow
am impressed perhaps too easily.
I was born in Flint and my Grandmother worked at GM.
Great story I never knew of! I knew Ford was very anti-union as well for similar reasons. I 🩵 hidden American history!
Interesting that this occurred as the world was on the unknowing doorstep of WW2. Also a coincidence that all parties involved were to be heavily involved in huge contracts for armor and machinery to be deployed across all boundaries of the conflict, and conveniently to occupy the uncontested positions of having weathered the war to be essential to the rebuilding of industry post war.
This is our model!!!
Phenomenal
This history is essential to Americans. Any country led by a dictator.
What a great story on courage and commitment to justice in whatever strategy helps balance a system. It helps to have great minds to strategize movements in the right direction. All is not lost, yet!
Excellent plan. I will definitely buy you a ☕️.
How is the best way for that to occur?
Haha, I appreciate that! Every spark ✨️ fuels the forge 🔥.
https://buymeacoffee.com/commonsenserebel ❤️
Great info. Loved it
Enjoyed the historical analysis the strike and the victory of a union which today wields enormous power over elected officials on a state level.
I tried. Not sure if my donation went through.
I have to check on it from my computer.
It was anonymous if it was you. Either way thank you!
Thank you for the information and the hope..
modern choke points anyone? On a societal scale? I recall a lot of disruption in the 1970’s from only bin strikes and electricity cuts. (U.K.)
These are amazing Ethan, thank you!
Hi Ethan, again I tried to join the rebuttal but was told safari didn’t recognize the address. How do I join?
The link works for me. Maybe try getting the app on your phone first.
If that doesn't work, I will show you how to manually join inside the app after you download ♡♡