Anti-Fracking Campaign Update - June 2019

Anti Fracking Update
There is a public enquiry happening in Rotherham on the Ineos exploratory well application at Woodsetts . It will be up to the planning inspectorate on whether it will go ahead or not. Ineos has previously stated that much of the gas extracted from fracking  will go into plastics production up in Grangemouth.

Mam Tor Stand Up for the Planet 

Sara gave an update on the event.  Great success, 6,000 views on Facebook, 150 attendees despite the potential rain. FOE helped support with buses to get there. Broader than just anti fracking, MP Ruth George and local music artists. Watch the you Tube video here or below:

Anti-Fracking Update -May 2019

Fracking, Fossil Fuels and Project " Molly" – June gave an update on the current situation. Project " Molly" was discussed.

Stand up for the Planet on Mam Tor is 4pm on Sunday 9 June and we need to help to advertise and raise awareness of “the Mother Hill of All Protests” See Facebook @peakdistrictagainstfracking for details

Fracking Campaign - April 2019

June provided an update on anti-fracking events. The appeal against INEOS injunction was partly successful; an international tribunal have recommended a global ban on fracking; fracking companies are trying to get rules on earthquakes associated with fracking relaxed. 

Richard has some new anti-fracking publicity materials that focus on earthquakes associated with fracking activities. There may be protests about “Team INEOS” cycling sponsorship.  There may be action planned associated with the Tour de Yorkshire. There is an event planned at Mam Tor on 9 June and we are providing funds for transport. There is a May Day event in Sheffield on 4th May and event in Chesterfield on 6th May.

Anti-Fracking Campaign Update - March 2019

Sheffield Friends of the Earth supported the action outside HSBC near Chesterfield Market on Sat 9th March. In addition we provided leaflets on fracking to Chesterfield Climate Alliance and Chesterfield Against Fracking who were highlighting the HSBC financing of igas at Misson Springs in North Notts and HSBC's financing of coal-fuelled power stations in Vietnam and other South-east Asian countries This last point has been particularly pointed out by Christian Aid who have a letter you can send to HSBC's CEO.

June provided an update on the other anti-fracking news:

At Woodsetts, the council withdrew objections to the traffic plans and there is an appeal  from INEOS in progress.

At Misson Springs, they are already drilling on site; there is both a protection camp in need of donations and an ongoing petition.

We are supporting transport for a Peak District action planned for Mam Tor on 9 June.

At Harthill, hedges have been cut down and plastic ribbons on remaining hedges used to stop nesting birds. See the adverts below for the Frack Free Festival

Anti-Fracking Campaign Update - February 2019

Sharon Wilson a Texan anti-fracking activist addressed a meeting in Doncaster hosted by Friends of the Earth. She emphasised how important it was to stop fracking from happening in England. Unfortunately, many are reaping the consequences of the industry with many cases of ill-health and local environment being ruined.

Anybody want to join us in helping out with a stall in Barlborough on Sunday 5 May? (Richard will take materials and gazebo).

Sarah Swords is organising a minibus for an event in the Peak District National Park in June. Sheffield FoE will help to fund this.

29 March - 1 April “A Frack Free Fraction Festival” is planned (sign up to the SAF newsletter to get uptodate info;  Woodsetts Against Fracking is looking for expertise to help support their campaign.

On 9 March Chesterfield Climate Alliance are having a demonstration outside HSBC Bank in Chesterfield from 9 am as they fund fracking (related to Misson Springs in North Notts near South Yorks border). Sheffield FoE will look to support this event.

Fracking Update - January 2018

Sheffield Against Fracking is organising a meeting with local speakers on health impacts and the KM8 victory at Theatre Deli on 22 January (with apple crumble).

AGM was held by Sheffield Against Fracking in January,

Future events:

• National gathering in London,  2 February. Full details on Facebook event page; further information is also in the SAF newsletter. 
• Monthly meeting 5 Feb 7:30-9pm Central URC Church, 60 Norfolk St, Sheffield, S1 2JB.

Anti-Fracking Campaign Update - December 2018

Sheffield Against Fracking's AGM is coming up on Jan 8 at 7:30 United Reform Church and is an open meeting – all welcome. Drew has done some artwork for the AGM for them. Other meetings include 22 Jan 7:30 Theatre Deli, speaker meeting on Health Impacts (Eddie Thornton and others). A full update with details of future meetings from June below and further info on Sheffield Against Fracking website.

Details of Fracking events and news (update from June)

Winter Solstice at Tinker Lane     
Tinker Lane Protectors Camp, DN22 8PA
Saturday 22nd December   Starts at 4pm
Join the protectors for some solstice connection, reflection and earth healing vibes.
We'll meet and spend some time by the gates, then head to camp and eat some warming food. Everyone welcome!

FRACK OFF - festive fundraiser
Saturday 22nd December     Starts at 7pm
The Queen Crafthouse & Kitchen, 1 Sunny Bar, Doncaster DN1 1LY
An evening of live music to raise awareness of fracking and support those who are protesting daily at anti-fracking camps in the Doncaster area. RAFFLE £1 ENTRY. Plus a talk by Dave Shaw, co-founder of Frack Free South Yorkshire. Free entry but donations welcome to support the anti-fracking movement.

Sheffield Against Fracking AGM & monthly meeting
Tuesday 8th January 2019   7.30pm-9.30pm
Central URC Church, 60 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2JB
With the growing threat of fracking and toxic waste in our area, we'd love new people to get involved with ideas, skills or a desire to learn.
There are various roles available, from event and action coordinators to internal and external communication roles. For more information, please email us.

Regional Strategy Meeting for South Yorks/ East Midlands
Saturday 12th January 2019       10am - 1pm
The Wesley Centre, Blyth Road, Maltby, Rotherham S66 8JD
Meeting of anti-fracking groups from across the region. Meet like-minded people, share knowledge, skills and experiences, and learn about the situation locally & nationally

Fracking: Health impacts & the KM8 victory 
Tuesday 22nd January 2019      7.30-9.30pm at Theatre Delicatessen
How the community of Kirby Misperton united to protect their landscape from fracking; with views from Eddie & Tim Thornton - 2 different approaches to activism.
Eddie Thornton an activist  determined to protect his local area from fracking - why and how.
Tim Thornton - retired family doctor and a concerned health professional, who has set up Concerned Health Professionals of the United Kingdom (alongside Carol Hutchinson from Eckington)
Deborah Gibson - local activist & campaigner from Harthill Against Fracking & Frack Free South Yorkshire - an update on fracking in the area how you can get involved.
 Free entry, donations to Sheffield Against Fracking
Apple crumble, tea & coffee included

Fracking halted AGAIN in Lancashire
A minor earthquake of 1.5 magnitude struck late on Tuesday morning following a series of far smaller tremors, and after fossil fuel exploration had stopped for the day. Activity has again been suspended. Locals said they felt the tremor.

Anti-Fracking Campaign Update - November 2018

June gave an update on current activity, including a number of events coming up:

• Ian Fairley is giving a talk at California Lane, Ballborough on 21/11/18. If you can't get there a video from the Sheffield meeting is available on YouTube.

• An event at Tinker Lane on 22/11/18 to “dress in pink”. 

• Saturday 23/11/18 “funeral for the future” meeting at Town Hall (dress in black).

Alan gave update on the London and Sheffield Extinction Rebellion meetings. Rachel gave update on an open letter that will be available for more signatories in due course (Lauren will forward on).

Anti Fracking Campaign Update - October 2018

Richard praised Dr Ian Fairlie's insightful presentation on radioactivity and fracking at the meeting on the 27th September.

The successful Global Frackdown Carnival in Sheffield was featured on both Look North and Radio Sheffield

Friends of the Earth Sheffield are proud to have donated money to Harthill Against Fracking and wish them the best of luck in their fight against fracking in Lancashire. Friends of the Earth Sheffield will also be contributing to transport costs involved with a national call for support at the Preston New Road fracking site near Blackpool. If you would like to go to the national rally please see the poster below:

Sheffield Friend of the Earth created a short video in support of the people in Blackpool trying to stop fracking.

Fracking Campaign - September 2018 Update

We helped out with a Sheffield Against Fracking stall at Sheffield Fayre in Norfolk Park on 27th August and again at Ecclesfield Gala with newly formed Frack Free Ecclesfield and Chapeltown the following weekend.

There was a debate on Fracking in Parliament where local MPs contributed supporting FoE's call for the erosion of local decision making in this matter to be stopped "Let Communities Decide".

Two very significant meetings were held on 27th September. Thanks go to Jack Scott , cabinet member on Sheffield City Council, for bringing activists and councillors together at lunchtime at the Crucible Theatre's Adelphi Suite to discuss presentations from Rob Murfin, SCC's Chief Planning Officer, Dr Ian Fairlie and John Busby on aspects of fracking that could directly impact on Sheffield should this hideous industry scale up. In particular, the problems of effectively regulating potential contaminants, including radiation and the associated health risks. Dr Ian Fairlie addressed a meeting in High Green in the evening answering questions from local residents and anti-fracking campaigners from many groups. It is hoped that Dr Ian Fairlie will give further talks on this matter to local groups in the near future.

Global Crackdown Carnival: look out for this and associated events on 13 th October. The organisers have built on the experience of the Sheffield FoE Rally last year. Let's hope it's bigger and better. Get along if you can. Check out our Facebook page for more details or https://www.facebook.com/events/332917514116942/

Campaign Update - August 2018

Fracking

• Richard provided an update. The Marsh Lane application was approved largely on grounds of putative energy needs.
• Sheffield Climate Alliance are continuing to meet regularly with councillor Jack Scott.
• A training workshop for councillors, with the Council’s Chief Planning Officer and two independent experts, is likely to be 26 or 27 September. It will look at the issues of waste fracking water at Ecclesfield.
• Alan and Richard visited the Mission Springs and Tinker Lane protection camps. 
• Detailed information on recent anti-fracking news and plans available from Sheffield Against Fracking website and newsletter.

Plastics

• The Deep in Hull apparently don’t want groups for their beach clean activity so we have dropped this as a social event.
• We were contacted by the Brownies to see if we could do a talk about plastics. Richard will follow this up and offer to do a talk.
• Our main campaign focus at the minute is the opportunity for organising a local film screening  of  “A Plastic Ocean” with a panel discussion afterwards. Shaun has identified a number of options that he and Bert will follow up in terms of collaborative showings: We have the opportunity to screen “Blue Heart” about damming rivers but we feel it will be difficult to build up an audience. 

Air Pollution

• We are aware of national Friends of the Earth's Freedom of Information request to the council to obtain a copy of the feasibility study for Nitrogen Dioxide Compliance (required by DEFRA by 31 March 2018, under the Environment Act 1995, Air Quality Direction 2017) which identifies options for compliance with legal limits for Nitrogen Dioxide. The council haven't provided this as the document is still in draft. Friends of the Earth are working on this and we will help if we can. 

Fracking Campaign - July 2018

June updated the group on the latest developments with the anti-fracking campaign.

Woodsetts
INEOs have submitted a new application, almost identical to the one which was unanimously rejected by RMBC. They have sent letters to the councillors and residents of Woodsetts saying they won at Harthill, they are going to win at Woodsetts and they will ask for RMBC to pay their full costs.

Marsh Lane
Public Enquiry finished on 29th June. Congratulations and hearty thanks for a sterling effort from the Eckington Against Fracking Team, Derbyshire CC and others who supported them. A decision is expected in mid-August.

Harthill
The government has overruled Rotherham council’s decision and granted INEOS permission to build a test well. Harthill Against Fracking will request a judicial review.

Misson Springs
Work has been suspended at Misson due to the owl breeding season.

Tinker Lane
Work has been temporarily halted while a study is conducted after a hobby bird was sighted.
All 5 sites above desperately need funds.

Preston New Road (Lancs)
Residents are demanding that fracking should not be allowed until Cuadrilla have issued an Emergency Evacuation Plan in the event of an emergency.

7th earthquake in Surrey
Residents are demanding an investigation after the 7th earthquake this year. Previously there has been no seismic activity for 50 years. “We think that serious questions should be asked, especially in connection with the two [oil and gas] sites nearest to the epicentres: Brockham and Horse Hill.”
The British Geological Survey have said “We are unable to say categorically if these earthquakes are related to hydrocarbon exploration or production in the Weald, mainly because of the uncertainties in our estimates of the earthquake epicentres and depths.”

Recent events

• 8th July. SAF had a stall at Ridgeway. Good response from the public as it is very close to Marsh Lane. 
• Friday 22nd June, Wheelies for Water: People cycled round Sheffield city Centre and then on to Blackburn Meadows where there were speeches. There was a good turnout.
• Saturday 14 July: Mosborough Against Fracking hosted a stall at Beighton Gala;  Frack-free South Yorkshire hosted a stall at Harthill Carnival.   

Future events

• Wednesday 18 July, 7.30pm, We Are Going to be Fracked. Barlborough Welfare Club.                  Guest Speaker is Ian Crane
• 12th August, South Yorkshire Show, Frack-free Penistone and Stocksbridge will have a stall
• 27th August, Sheffield Show in Norfolk Park. SAF will have a stall
• 2nd September, Ecclesfield Gala. Frack free Eccclesfield and Chapeltown will have a stall 
• 23rd July, meeting in the school rooms at Woodsetts. 
• Woodsetts Against Fracking want to host a huge event to include all anti-fracking groups in the area. 13th October was suggested as this is “Global Frackdown Day”. It hasn’t been decided yet whether it will be in Sheffield or Rotherham.

Government
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, which was chaired by Clive Betts has published its report

• It warned against treating the applications for test drilling as permitted development
• It opposed bringing fracking into the National Infrastructure Plan, saying it should not be treated any differently from other forms of energy.
• It said the definition of fracking should be made clear, to ensure that anything involving artificial fracturing should be subjected to the appropriate regulations. 

The All Party Parliamentary Group chaired by Lee Rowley has challenged the new legislation
INEOS have asked the government for financial help to build a new chemical plant at Hull. They said they may take the project to Belgium if the government refuses.

Update from Richard
Richard attended a meeting about Regional Strategy and there are four groups looking at different aspects including Water (Richard contributing) and a further Regional Strategy Meeting on 18 Aug  (organised by David Burley).

Anti-Fracking Campaign Update - June 2018

Some of the main fracking issues discussed at the meeting were:

• Since the decision to allow exploration at Harthill, there has been a new application at Woodsetts.  
• There is an event for Marsh Lane planned which includes activities for children and campaign awareness raising rather than a demonstration. Meeting at Fox & Hounds pub from 2-5 on Saturday 23 June. 
• We discussed strategy and the waste water contamination issue.
• FoE is joining up with 360 Degrees for potential joint action (potential week of action to target MPs in late July)
• Richard has done a Radio Sheffield interview on fracking and activism.  
• FFSY are holing a Regional Strategy meeting on 30 June. See Frack Free South Yorkshire website.

Fracking Update - May 2018

June provided an update on the local council response to the proposed changes in planning regulations to make it much easier to get planning permission for fracking – locally there is significant disquiet. The new Lord Mayor is also a Green councillor and has taken an active interest in local campaigns and has visited Tinker Lane. The newly elected Mayor for the Sheffield City Region, Dan Jarvis also needs to be lobbied to ensure he is aware it is a local priority although there is still uncertainty about his tenure at the moment. Yorkshire Post has published an article on the expert opinion on the need for buffer zones whilst the national government has not made any decisions about buffer zones.

Several events in May including one at Misson Springs (highlighting threat to owls) and event at Clumber Park this weekend. Harthill is still awaiting a decision post-enquiry.

Museums Sheffield – Richard reported on a radio interview he has been invited to give on his contribution to the exhibition so there will be an opportunity to raise anti-fracking

June is planning to start a newsletter to share information about all the anti-fracking events which we can share via FoE email list and our Facebook page.

Richard has met with the local Labour Party chair and identified some appropriate GMB contacts to try and mobilise Labour activism against fracking

Events coming up in June include

• 9 June - Anti-Fracking stall at Peace in the Park
• 19 June - Marsh Lane enquiry starts and the Eckington group is organising a peaceful protest at 9am (Chesterfield Town Hall)
• 23 June – Day of action at the Fox & Hounds – more details to follow.

Actions:

• Share June’s newsletter when available 
• Check the FoE petition can be accessed from the local group website. 
• As previous agreed Sheffield FoE will support the Misson Springs Protection Camp campaign where we can.

Anti-Fracking Campaign - April 2018 Update

Robin Hood event – this generated good media coverage and some useful conversations despite relatively low numbers at some of the street theatre.

Richard gave an update on the Ecclesfield water treatment inquiry.

Other activities include:

• Meeting at start of inquiry on 24 April Riverside House, Main St, Rotherham at 9am; 
• The Marsh Lane Public Enquiry will be 19-29 June and a “peaceful show of strength” planned on first day at Market Hall, Assembly Rooms, Soresby St, Chesterfield, S40 1AR; 
• Regional Anti-Fracking Strategy meeting of anti-fracking groups at Weslyn Centre in Maltby on 12 May

Robin Hood Sheffield Lantern Show and Street Theatre

Countryside around Sheffield is at risk from chemicals giant INEOS who even want to carry out fracking surveys inside ancient Sherwood Forest, home to the legend of Robin Hood. If Sherwood is not safe from fracking, nowhere is safe.

Friends of the Earth, working alongside local communities and actors portraying Robin Hood and his merry band of outlaws, are putting on family-friendly events in Sheffield to tell people more about the threats to our countryside from fracking – it’s a great show!

Join us on Saturday 24th March 12-4pm in the Peace Gardens for street fair with Robin Hood v Fracking street theatre, kids' activities, music, speeches and performance. Culminating in a stunning lantern lit giant puppet show 7-8pm

Come and bring friends and family, and encourage kids to dress up! If you can’t make it, please spread the word.

Join us on Saturday to say “No to fracking in Sherwood Forest, no to fracking anywhere”. !!

LATEST SCHEDULE
Friday
If you happen to be near the University of Sheffield Students' Union on Friday then look out for the Robin Hood troupe highlighting the dangers of fracking. Starts around 12.30 until mid afternoon.

Don't forget that there is a workshop at Victoria Hall Methodist Church from 6pm on Friday for those who want to join in and make a big lantern for Saturday's main event. Come anytime before 8pm if you just want to make your own.

Saturday
12-4 pm in the Peace Gardens for street fair with Robin Hood v Fracking street theatre, kids' activities, music, speeches and performance. Help is required running stalls during this time. Just turn up.

The week of Robin Hood vs The Frackers events come to an end with the stunning lantern lit giant puppet show 7-8 pm


For more details see links below:
https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate-change/robin-hood-vs-fracking-events-sheffield
https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climatechange/fracking

Anti-Fracking Training

Anti-Fracking training - "Know your Rights" on Saturday 3rd March from 10.00 am to 2.00pm at The Wesley Centre, Blyth Road, Maltby, Rotherham S66 8JD

Green and Black Cross will be running a ‘Know Your Rights’ workshop which aims to give anti-fracking campaigners the knowledge to combat repressive police tactics commonly used against protesters.

Topics covered:

1. Our Key Messages: The most important thing you can take with you on a protest.
2. Police Tactics and Private Security: Who are these police liaison teams and what is their role
3. Stop and Search: Understand the limits of what the police can search for and learn how to resist information gathering techniques used by officers.
4. What happens when I’m arrested?: Your first arrest is always going to be difficult experience. We take you through the process and your rights in custody, to prepare you for the experience should it arise.
5. Laws commonly used against protesters: We’ll put you in the shoes of a police officer on the hunt to make some arrests.

There are 30 free places which are open to anti-fracking campaigners. Please contact Richard Souter by email souter_r@hotmail.com with the 4 key pieces of information specified below:

1. Your name.
2. Contact phone number for last minute updates/changes.
3. The anti-fracking group you belong to.
4. The name of the course: "Know your Rights".

Refreshments will be available but participants should bring their own lunch.

https://www.facebook.com/events/203992193672044/ 
https://www.wesleycentremaltby.co.uk/
https://www.sheffieldfoe.co.uk
https://greenandblackcross.org

Anti-Fracking training “Legal Observer” on Saturday 10th March training from 10.00 am to 5.00pm at St Andrew's United Reformed Church, Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield S3 7RQ

Green and Black Cross will be running a “Legal Observers” workshop which is an essential part of the support provided at protests. Whether handing out key advice on bust cards, or finding witnesses for arrests, legal observers help to ensure that people protesting against fracking don’t face the legal system alone.

Topics covered:

1. Police tactics
2. Stop & Search law & procedure
3. Arrestee support
4. Police ranks & command structure
5. How to provide good witnesses and nail inappropriate policing
6. How to get more involved with GBC

There are 30 free places which are open to anti-fracking campaigners. Please contact Richard Souter by email souter_r@hotmail.com with the 4 key pieces of information specified below:

1. Your name.
2. Contact phone number for last minute updates/changes.
3. The anti-fracking group you belong to.
4. The name of the course: "Legal Observers".

Refreshments will be available but participants should bring their own lunch.

https://www.facebook.com/events/150470025650546/
http://standrewsurcsheffield.org.uk/
https://www.sheffieldfoe.co.uk
https://greenandblackcross.org

Anti-Fracking Update - February 2018

Burns Night
Our Burns night anti-fracking fund raising event was very successful with approx. £1000 raised from sales and donations.

Anti-Fracking Legal Training
Green and Black Cross training – training for fracking activists is being hosted in two different venues on different dates, “Know Your Rights” on 3 March in Maltby and “Legal Observer” training on 10 March in Sheffield. Training is provided free so Sheffield Friends of the Earth only need to pay for venues. If training well attended or oversubscribed it may be possible to organise further sessions.

For more details see
https://www.facebook.com/events/203992193672044/
https://www.facebook.com/events/150470025650546/
https://www.sheffieldfoe.co.uk/2018/02/anti-fracking-training.html

Ecclesfield
We had an update from Richard on the planned meeting with council and local environmental groups and two independent experts who can explain the evidence on the issue of water contamination from the fracking process and associated hazards.

Labour Party
Richard is giving a presentation on fracking campaigning to Fulwood Labour Party on 20 March.

Fracking Update from Frack Free South Yorkshire  

Misson Springs and Tinker Lane well sites

IGas has begun work on well pad constructions. IGas says Misson Springs will be their first well. A protection camp has been set up. Postcode DN10 6ES.

Marsh Lane

Derbyshire County Council planning committee voted 9 to 1 to oppose the planning application.  Ineos’ appeal will be heard from Tuesday 19th to Friday 22nd June, and from Tuesday 26th to 29th June 2018.

Harthill

On 25th January the Rotherham Council Planning Board councillors unanimously backed their planning officers recommendation to oppose the application on traffic and ecology grounds.

Ineos’ appeal will be heard from 24th to 27th April, and from 1st to 4th May at Rotherham Town Hall, The Crofts, Moorgate Street, Rotherham S60 2TH

Woodsetts

The Planning Board meeting is expected to be held on 8th March. There is still time to get objection letters in. A pro-forma is attached.

Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire

Third Energy’s contractors have pulled out most of the equipment from the well site. There are restrictions on the work Third Energy can do during nearby Flamingoland’s season from Easter to September so it unlikely they will return until September at the earliest.

Mineral Strategies

The Communities and Local Government Committee has opened an inquiry to examine (1) whether guidance for local authorities taking planning decisions on fracking applications needs to be updated or improved, (2) whether there needs to be a comprehensive document bringing all existing guidance together, for all those involved in the planning process, and (3) whether applications for fracking should be determined by the national planning regime rather than at a local level.

The third part gives us the most concern. In its 2017 General Election manifesto, the Conservative Party said, “where necessary, major shale planning decisions will be made the responsibility of the National Planning Regime.” This is an attack on localism. The deadline for submissions is 14 March.

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/communities-and-local-government-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/planning-fracking-17-19/

Events

• Saturday 24 February, 11.00am: NOT FOR SHALE AWARENESS MARCH.

• Saturday 24 February, 5.30pm to 2am: FRACKING SHAMBLES AT HAGGLERS. Hagglers Corner, 586 Queens Road, Sheffield S2 4DU. Anti-fracking fundraiser. Food, live music, DJs and speakers including Eddie Thornton, Helen Chuntso, David Kestevens and Frack Free South Yorkshire.

• Tuesday 27 February, 7pm: MEETING RE HARTHILL PUBLIC ENQUIRY. Harthill Village Hall, Winney Hill, Harthill S26 7YL

• Tuesday 27 February, 7.30pm: FRACK FREE PENISTONE & STOCKSBRIDGE meeting. Travellers Inn, 286 The Common, Stocksbridge S35 9WP

• Wednesday 28 February, 7pm: WOODSETTS AGAINST FRACKING public meeting. Village Hall, Gildingwells Road, Woodsetts S81 8QB

• Saturday 3 March, 10am-2pm: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TRAINING. The Wesley Centre, 14 Blyth Road, Maltby, Rotherham S66 8JD. Two miles East from Junction 1 of the M18 motorway.

• Saturday 10 March, 10am-5pm: LEGAL OBSERVER TRAINING. Saint Andrew's URC Church, Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield S3 7RQ

• Wednesday 14 March, 7.30-10.00pm: PROTEST LAW - Helen White of Howells LLP. The Queen, 135 High Street, Mosborough S20 5AF.

• Thursday 19 April, 7pm: THE BENTLEY EFFECT FILM SCREENING. The Venue, 650 Manchester Road, Stocksbridge S36 1DY

• And, of course, the ROBIN HOOD vs. FRACKING lantern-making workshops, street theatre and lantern parade.

History of Protest

Museums Sheffield’s free exhibition called "Changing Lives: 200 Years of People and Protest in Sheffield" opened on Tuesday 6 February 2018 and runs until Sunday 1 July 2018. Four members from our group were at the official launch to see our fossil fuel dinosaurs on display. Our anti-fracking and anti-fossil fuel banner was too large for display so we'll retrieve that to use at protests.

See:
http://www.museums-sheffield.org.uk/museums/weston-park/exhibitions/current/changing-lives-200-years-of-people-and-protest-in-sheffield

https://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/sheffield/new-exhibition-1-9020165

Anti-Fracking Campaign Update - January 2018

Burns Night Anti Fracking Fundraising Event – 72 have booked with 8 places left and Eventbrite booking will close on 16 Jan 2018. There will be an opportunity to get people to sign objection forms for Marsh Lane on the night.

Know your Rights Training – Green & Black Cross are an anti-fracking organisation who provide training for legal observers for protest events and general advice about legal rights of protesters. They will provide training if we can find a venue.
ACTION: Shaun will be in touch to let them know we are interested and that Richard will liaise over finding a venue for up to two events for local anti-fracking groups.

Ecclesfield Water Treatment Plant – The injunction to suppress any potential protest in the area has been extended despite challenges from local campaigners. The plan is to try and organise a meeting to bring in experts to highlight the environmental problems that will arise from the waste water that is contaminated with radiation which is likely to end up in the River Don.

“Robin Hood v. the Frackers” will take place on Saturday 24 March. We will need stewards for street theatre and lantern procession.
ACTION: Dates for diaries – will need volunteers nearer the time for stewarding and for lantern-making during the week