Critical Mass cycle ride, meet Goring-by-Sea railway station, 12 noon.
Town protest at Worthing Pier, 2pm. Bring placards, banners, whistles.
ONE day before the High Court hearing which could lead to an eviction order for the camp, police have resorted to dirty tricks in what is now clearly a concerted campaign against the campers. Whatever happened to the impartial community policing approach they have been presenting to the media?
Today's little piece of political policing saw campers told by building supplies firm Travis Perkins in nearby Patching that they were no longer prepared to take their money! This was because some non-political cops had visited the firm and told them the campers were "extremists" and they should not sell them anything! The Sussex Police helicopter was also sent to circle the camp this afternoon, for no obvious reason. Campers have made a request for as many people to spend time at the site as possible, from tomorrow, Thursday, afternoon onwards. Nobody knows when an eviction might be attempted, but it seems the police and the Guardian security goons are all spoiling for a fight and just can't wait to crush the spark of resistance that has been burning so brightly in Titnore Woods.
Meanwhile, opponents of the development have revealed they were all videoed by the police when they attended last week's Worthing Borough Council meeting. Is it now criminal behaviour to attend local authority meetings?
THUGS from Sussex Police have once again forced their way onto the peaceful Camp Titnore protest site, assaulting one of the campers in the process. The new invasion happened today (Monday July 24), following a similar incursion on Wednesday last week and the ten officers who turned up video-recorded the camp and its residents.
Police also said they will now be returning to the camp regularly, with the same intimidatory tactics. The assault occurred when one of the campers legitimately refused to allow police access to the hut which is legally his home and was physically pushed over. Official complaints to the police are being made about this outrageously heavy-handed behaviour.
People may recall a newspaper report in The Argus on Tuesday May 30 quoting the local police chief as saying the camp was legitimate. This stated: "Worthing District Commander Jason Taylor said officers served notice for their removal on Sunday evening as a precautionary measure. He said there were no plans to remove the protesters unless any offences were committed. He said: "As far as the police are concerned we have a situation which is, at the moment, legitimate. People are protesting lawfully and are not causing particular problems. They're causing problems for the landowner and he can go to court - but at this stage I'm not going to endanger the protesters or people in the area by enforcing the removal of people"."
So what has happened since then? A political change of heart? Orders from even further up the chain of command?
The police do not seem to have any bona fide reason for visiting the camp, as far as law enforcement is concerned. But today also saw court papers served on the campers by Clem and Fitzroy Somerset, the landowners, as part of a civil process regarding land ownership which should have nothing to do with the police. These papers were in fact issued on July 12, with a mysterious 12 days elapsing before they found their way into the campers' hands. The delay means the protesters now have only three days to go through the 100-plus pages of legal paperwork and prepare for a court case - which is not to be held locally but at the High Court at the Royal Courts of Justice in The Strand, London, at 11.30am on Thursday July 27.
Anyone who can offer them some legal help is urged to contact the camp on 0780 4245324.
Sussex Police have an area on their website where they seek feedback from the public. If anyone wishes to comment on their behaviour they can go to http://www.sussex.police.uk/npt/worthing/feedback.asp
POLICE today (Wednesday July 19) invaded the Titnore Woods protest camp at Durrington. Eight uniformed officers entered the squatted area of woodland, despite each being individually warned by the protesters that to do so would be trespass. They then moved all around the site of the peaceful eco-camp with video cameras, filming protesters' homes and the tree defences they have been putting together. No court papers have even been served on the campers yet by the landowners, let alone an eviction order granted, so the protest site remains completely legal. Fears have now been raised that police were gathering intelligence for an illegal eviction of the site, without the proper court process.
Said one of the campers: "We have been getting on well with the local police and we cannot believe what happened today. They just barged their way in. We are putting in an official complaint." The local police visiting the open day at the camp on Saturday told protesters that they regarded them as part of the Durrington community. Is this how Sussex Police normally treat the local community,then - forcing their way into their homes with neither permission nor a search warrant?
TITNORE Woods landowner Clem Somerset employed private security guards with video cameras to try and scare visitors away from the protest camp's open day on Saturday (July 15). The uniformed staff from Ferring-based Guardian Facilities also tried to hand out slips of paper warning people they were trespassing, adding: "If you choose to enter this land, you do so entirely at your own risk." Guardian is the security firm also involved in trying to stiffle opposition to the EDO weapons parts factory in Brighton. But the move failed to intimidate camp supporters, a steady flow of whom turned up throughout the day to visit the camp and try their hand at various skills, such as making benders (shelters) and bows and arrows.
With public support for the camp in Worthing, West Sussex, very strong, it has also been announced that a Day of Action in support of Camp Titnore is to be staged on Saturday August 12. A critical mass cycle ride has been called by Bikes Against Bulldozers, gathering at 12 noon at Goring-by-Sea railway station (main line between Brighton and Portsmouth). And at 2pm that afternoon there will be a town centre protest at Worthing Pier.
The battle to save Titnore Woods from a massive 875-home housing estate, road widening and associated new Tesco hypermarket has been waged locally for around five years. On May 28 this year, with final planning permission looming, protesters moved onto the site in a dawn manoeuvre and set up a treetop protest camp.
* Protect Our Woodland is urging supporters to attend Worthing Borough Council's planning meeting at 2.30pm on Tuesday July 18. On the agenda is the council's Masterplan for Worthing, including the future of the West Durrington site and this could be a great opportunity to express opposition to the scheme. The meeting is at the town hall in Chapel Road, Worthing.
MORE than 100 people packed into a vibrant public meeting in Worthing on Thursday night, July 6, to show their support for the Titnore Woods tree camp. The function room at the Charles Dickens pub in Heene Road was full to overflowing, as the huge levels of public backing for the campaign against the West Durrington development became clear.
Said Dave Phillips of worthing eco-action, which organised the event: "We were totally overwhelmed by the numbers of people that turned out for this. I think the council and developers have really underestimated the levels of opposition to their plans for Titnore Woods. We were also impressed by the wide variety of people who attended - they really did come from all age groups and all walks of life."
The supporters heard informative speeches by local historian and former county councillor Chris Hare, Chris Todd of the South Downs Campaign, and also by local campaigners. But the biggest applause and cheers were reserved for the young members of the tree camp themselves, whose occupation of the threatened woods clearly had the enthusiastic support of all those present.
The campers also issued an invitation to the audience to join them at an open day at the camp on Saturday July 15. Starting at 12 noon, this will feature workshops on bender making, camp cookery and other practical skills, as well as a talk on anarchism, the philosophical basis of the direct action movement.
DIRECTIONS:
The camp is in woods just north of "Somerset Lake", a fishing lake east of Titnore Lane. Easiest access is from Fulbeck Avenue, off Titnore Way. Take the path at the far east of Fulbeck Avenue, then turn left until there is a large gap in the hedgerow on the left, opposite a cleared square of ground on the right, and cross right over to the far side of the field, keeping the clump of trees to your left.
It can also be reached via the car park at Tesco's in Durrington, which is served by no 3 and 4 buses from Worthing central railway station. Basically head straight on from the entrance to the fields at the back end of the supermarket car park, reaching the gap in the hedgerow mentioned above.
Nearest railway station is Goring by Sea on the main South Coast line with direct trains from Brighton, Portsmouth and London.
There is a camp phone - 0780 4245324.
Archive Timeline
Monday June 26
TODAY'S wetter weather has reminded the campers of something they are going to need over the coming weeks and months - boots (of any kind). If you have some spare, please drop them over to the camp or arrange for them to be picked up locally. Camp phone - 0780 4245324
Sunday June 25
FOUR weeks have now been notched up by the protest camp. A call has gone out for any spare video cameras - they don't have to be up to date or anything - to have on site to record any attempts at eviction or intimidation. There is also a need for fresh vegetables for the communal meals.
Wednesday June 21
ARE landowners the Somersets resorting to dirty tricks to try and force the protesters out of the woods? The Argus reports today they were trying to blame the campers for a digger being driven into a pond some distance from the camp. Needless to say, the camp knows nothing of this incident and would hardly set about polluting the environment it is there to protect! This was obviously clear to Sussex Police, who told the paper: "The finger has been pointed at the protesters, but if they are environmentalists it seems unlikely they would want to do that."
A certain tension as a result of the allegations was increased today by the police helicopter hovering very low over the camp. There was also a visit by environment officers, accompanied by police.
A report in local newspaper The Worthing Guardian at the weekend quoted Worthing Council's assistant director of planning James Appleton as saying final outline permission for the development was "two to three weeks away", with an agreement envisaged between landowners, council and developers.
A public meeting is to be held in support of Camp Titnore. It will be at 7.30pm on Thursday July 6 at the Friends Meeting House in Mill Road, West Worthing. Supporters are urged to come along - and bring their friends.
Saturday June 17
LATEST additions to the wish list - bow saw blades, paraffin, thermos flasks, solar powered lights, builders' nets. Meanwhile, supplies of polyprop rope (8mm, 10mm and 12mm) are very welcome as the camp expands.
Friday June 16
SUPPORTERS of Camp Titnore travelled to Crawley, to the offices of Taylor Woodrow, one of the three property developers behind the West Durrington scheme. They unfurled a banner outside the building then went into the reception area and handed over a letter, mounted on tree-shaped card, addressed to chief executive Iain Napier.
The letter stated: "You should know that the protesters are very determined and also very well connected. Do not expect opposition to the development to simply melt away, under any circumstances. It is, in fact, likely to intensify.
"In light of this, we feel you may consider it would suit your company's interests to withdraw your involvement in the proposed development. In terms of spiralling costs, inconvenience and sheer bad publicity for Taylor Woodrow, we would suggest that continued collaboration with this hugely destructive and unpopular scheme would be a dramatic own goal for your business."
Tuesday June 13
THE camp is now well established and growing in size and efficiency. There is now a two-storey tree house with fully fitted carpet! Messages of support continue to flood in from near and far. With the crucial settling-in phase now completed, there is growing confidence that Camp Titnore is here to stay for the long term. Keep the support coming and this development can still be halted!
8pm, Tuesday June 6
A NEW website for Camp Titnore was launched today - www.myspace.com/camptitnore
11pm, Monday June 5
THE MOOD is very positive in the camp as the ninth day of on-site protesting is completed. Current priorities on the wishlist (see below) are still large beams of wood and 10mm polyprop rope, plus chains and D-locks. Paints and materials for banner making are also requested, plus citronella (mosquito repellant!) and tea tree oil. Loads of straw would also be useful for laying on pathways (so it doesn't have to be particularly fresh).
LATEST UPDATE
Monday June 5 - new Press Release from Protect Our Woodland
TITNORE campaigners have accused Worthing's two MPs of "acting like cowards" by keeping silent on the issue. They say it is "appalling" that, as the treetop protesters celebrated their first full week occupying the threatened woods at West Durrington, neither of the borough's elected representatives had managed to find anything at all to say about the latest dramatic turn of events.
Said John Clark of Protect Our Woodland! (POW!): "We know that both these politicians have expressed an interest in similar matters in the past. "Peter Bottomley likes to be known for his concern for animal welfare, while Tim Loughton was very eager to be associated with the successful campaign to stop housing development on the countryside behind Beeches Avenue in Broadwater.
"But when it comes to this major local controversy, now attracting national and even international attention because of the protest camp, they have suddenly come over all shy.
"This is, quite frankly, appalling. The pair of them are acting like cowards. The people of Worthing have a right to hear what their MPs think about the threat to Titnore Woods.
"If they support the protest, then their voices will add to the strength of the campaign and make it more likely to succeed.
"If they oppose the protest, and support the development, then why have they not had the courage to say so? Their constituents have a right to know where they stand."
Mr Clarke said he personally suspected the MPs were opposed to the protest, but were unwilling to say so because they realised the campers had the support of the vast majority of Worthing residents.
He said: "The protesters in Titnore Woods have really been overwhelmed by the positive response from locals and the media. "It seems that everybody's talking about it and I have yet to hear anyone say they support the views of the Somerset family and the property developers.
"This is really sending a clear and powerful message to the powers-that-be at Worthing Town Hall and in London - Worthing does not want this development!"
POW! has this week been urging its supporters to write to Worthing Borough Council urging it not to give the final seal of approval to the development, in the light of the massive support that has materialised for the protesters (1).
It is also suggesting that the council convene emergency talks with the landowners, the Somerset family.
POW! says the council should urge them not to sell the land to the property developers, but instead to sell or donate the woods to a body such as the National Trust "which could protect and preserve this valued local landscape for future generations of Worthing people".
LATEST UPDATE
7am, Sunday June 4
AS DAWN broke this morning, the tree camp protesters notched up their first whole week in Titnore Woods. Well done to everyone involved. This is just the start!
LATEST UPDATE
11pm, Thursday June 1
PROTESTERS at the camp said this evening they were totally delighted with the support they were receiving from local people. Please keep the visits coming. Most needed at the moment are large beams of wood. Also on the wish list are woodchip, sawdust, knife sharpener, harnesses/carabiners, beelays/climbing rope, batteries, credit for camp phone (0780 4245324), waterproof clothes, Marmite, first aid kit, herbal tea and funnel. Financial donations can be made at the camp (ring number above if you can't find it!) or by sending a cheque payable to "The Porkbolter" to PO Box 4144, Worthing BN14 7NZ - we will pass on the cash ASAP.
Support the tree camp on Saturday (June 3) from 11am in Montague Place, Worthing town centre. Helpers needed.
LATEST UPDATE
8pm, Wednesday May 31
CAMPERS are preparing for their fourth night in the woods. Supporters are visiting the site and bringing some supplies - but more are badly needed (see below).
It has emerged that yesterday landowner Clem Somerset sent his farmhands to spray muck on the fields next to the camp - to irritate the protesters or to deter visitors? It didn't work, in any case. Meanwhile, there was an amusing incident involving a police car getting stuck in the mud...
Latest press coverage includes today's West Sussex Gazette and a double-page picture spread in today's Argus.
8pm, Tuesday May 30
LATEST UPDATE
POLICE appear to have backtracked on their claim that the Titnore tree protesters were acting illegally and would be evicted without civil court proceedings.
The eco-activists occupied the woods on Sunday morning to try and halt the destructive West Durrington development, including a 875-home estate, new Tesco superstore and road widening. On Sunday evening police delivered written warnings saying they would be evicted under legislation normally used against travellers.
But a report in The Argus today (Tuesday May 30), quoting the local police chief, states: "Worthing District Commander Jason Taylor said officers served notice for their removal on Sunday evening as a precautionary measure. He said there were no plans to remove the protesters unless any offences were committed. He said: "As far as the police are concerned we have a situation which is, at the moment, legitimate. People are protesting lawfully and are not causing particular problems. They're causing problems for the landowner and he can go to court - but at this stage I'm not going to endanger the protesters or people in the area by enforcing the removal of people"."
The camp has already attracted widespread media interest, including two articles in The Argus, the lead slot on Monday night's BBC South Today TV news, items on Southern FM and BBC Southern Counties radio, a piece on The Sun's website and even an article on the website of the Orlando Sentinel in Florida.
Reaction from the media, as from the Worthing public, has been positive. The same issue of The Argus declared in an editorial comment that it was "refreshing" to see "Titnore Wood dissenters standing up to the Establishment". It added: "It appears this treetop demonstration is being conducted lawfully and this can only be a good thing for democracy."
Tonight the protesters were appealing for "loads and loads" more 10-12mm polypropylene rope, urgent financial donations and supplies of vegan food.
9am, Monday May 29
LATEST UPDATE
POLICE did not return during the night. The protesters are asking for people to come and bring them a wheelbarrow, more tarpaulins, polyprop rope, climbing harnesses and 100mm nails. But most of all they need PEOPLE there to back them up.
POLICE THREATEN CAMP
POLICE returned to the camp at around 8pm and announced that, under legislation normally deployed against travellers, they had the power to clear the site. They said the campers had an hour to vacate the woods before they returned to enforce their order. Campers' possessions were hurriedly lifted into the trees and the protesters retreated into the high branches as night fell.
Tomorrow is a bank holiday. If at all possible, please consider going to the camp early in the morning - from dawn. Bring video cameras or cameras if you can get hold of them, or otherwise just be there to witness what happens. See below for directions.
6pm, Sunday May 28
TITNORE WOODS CAMP SET UP!
A TREE TOP protest camp in ancient Sussex woodland has been set up.
Despite the earlier threat of an illegal eviction, by Sunday evening it was still there and growing in size. The protesters have occupied part of Titnore Woods in Durrington, Worthing, in a brave bid to halt the massive planned housing development and road widening.
They moved onto the land off Titnore Lane early on Sunday May 28 in an audacious dawn operation. The landowners, the Somerset family, turned up during the morning to tell them to leave and have already draughted in Mark Lynch of Guardian Guards security, notorious for his intimidation of peace protesters at the Brighton EDO weapons parts factory.
Luckily the protesters had already built tree house structures, meaning a quick and easy eviction was out of the question.
Police also arrived at the camp during the morning and later the Sussex Police helicopter was circling the site. Locals from the nearby estate have been visiting the protesters and voicing their support.
As a result, the Somersets have been digging ditches and erecting barbed wire fences to try and keep out the supporters.
It is quite clear to most Worthing people that something had to be done to stop Worthing council and the developers getting away with this horrific 875-home scheme, with damaging associated road widening.
Having seen all the efforts by campaigners ignored by the council and the government, which refused to hold a public inquiry, some people got together and decided it was time to take action.
We urge all supporters to do what they can to back the campers - it takes a lot of guts and determination to do what they’re doing. What we need is a massive show of support from the people of Worthing. Let’s make it clear to the powers-that-be that while most of us can’t physically be with them up there in the woods all day and night, we are with the campers in spirit!
This is our last big chance to really get across the power and size of our opposition to the development. Let’s make it quite clear to the bullies in the town hall and the corporate boardrooms that it’s not just a few dozen protesters they’re up against - it’s thousands of Worthing people determined to play our part in stopping the Titnore devastation. Here’s how you can help:
* Moral support. Just popping in to say ‘hello’ is important.
* Practical help. Are you a dab hand with a hammer or a spade? Want to help improving, decorating or securing the camp?
* Gifts. Stuff like wood, blue rope, nails, food (preferably not meat or dairy), fresh water and so on.
* Physical support. It is still very possible that an illegal and violent eviction of the camp may be attempted. Can you spare a few hours on-site?
* Voice your support. There will probably be criticism of the protest voiced by politicians in the local media. Write to the papers to say you support the camp! Phone the local radio stations!
* Spread the word. Tell your friends, family and neighbours. Send an email to everyone in your address book! Get texting or phoning.
* Office space. The protesters are appealing for a dry indoor space in the area to use as an office - preferably with a phone line.
* Financial support. Many thanks to those who have already made a contribution - without you this would not have been possible. But there will obviously continue to be costs to be met to keep the effort going. How about organising a fundraising jumble sale or coffee morning?
* Join the camp! Got some time on your hands? No reservations are necessary. Just turn up with a sleeping bag and stay as long as you like!
DIRECTIONS:
The camp is in woods just north of "Somerset Lake", a fishing lake east of Titnore Lane. Easiest access is from Fulbeck Avenue, off Titnore Way. Take the path at the far east of Fulbeck Avenue, then turn left until there is a large gap in the hedgerow on the left, opposite a cleared square of ground on the right, and cross right over to the far side of the field, keeping the clump of trees to your left.
It can also be reached via the car park at Tesco's in Durrington, which is served by no 3 and 4 buses from Worthing central railway station. Basically head straight on from the entrance to the fields at the back end of the supermarket car park, reaching the gap in the hedgerow mentioned above.
Nearest railway station is Goring by Sea on the main South Coast line with direct trains from Brighton, Portsmouth and London.
There is a camp phone - 0780 4245324.
Keep up to date with Protect Our Woodland! and Southcoast Indymedia
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