The judge at the trial of Simon Welsh, the poet arrested while singing at the Balcombe anti-fracking protests, has ruled there is a case to answer and the hearing should continue. Mr Welsh, 34, of High Street, Balcombe, denies he failed to comply with a condition on protesting […]
20th March 2014 A judge is expected to hear legal arguments this morning about the disclosure of information in the anti-fracking protest case involving the MP Caroline Lucas and four other campaigners. The full case, which is due start on Monday (24th March), was brought under Section 14 […]
19th March 2014 The judge at the trial of Simon Welsh, the Balcombe poet arrested at an anti-fracking demonstration while singing a protest song, has retired to consider whether to dismiss the case halfway through. Defence barrister, Tom Wainwright argued there was no case to answer because the […]
19th March 2014 Brighton Magistrates Court heard this morning how poet Simon Welsh was arrested at the Balcombe anti-fracking demonstrations, while leading a group of singers in the Balcombe anthem. This was a protest song written by Mr Welsh and sung to the tune of Jerusalem. Mr Walsh, 34, […]
18th March 2014 The former chief constable of Sussex explained this afternoon that he imposed restrictions on anti-fracking protesters at Balcombe because he believed the demonstrations would cause serious disruption to the life of the local community. Martin Richards, who retired from the police a week ago, was […]
18th March 2014 The trial starts today of the first Balcombe resident to be arrested at last year’s anti-fracking protests outside Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site in the village. Simon Welsh denies a charge under Section 14 of the Public Order Act of taking part in an assembly but […]
17th March 2014 Transcripts of last week’s parliamentary questions and statements on Noise from fracking Estimated UK energy from shale gas Stakeholder support for shale gas in Europe With thanks to theyworkforyou.com
13th March 2014 The leader of West Sussex County Council should welcome a new campaign group, which held its first fundraising event last night. We need to talk about fracking is calling for a “genuinely independent, balanced and thorough public debate”. Last year, Louise Goldsmith twice asked the […]
13th March 2014 A group of wildlife and countryside organisations says current regulations for unconventional fossil fuel development are not strong enough to prevent damage and it calls for a permanent ban on fracking in all protected areas. The group, which includes National Trust, RSPB and the Wildlife […]
12th March 2014 An anti-fracking activist who climbed a 6m scaffolding tripod to block the road outside Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site at Balcombe was found guilty of obstructing the highway this afternoon. But the judge imposed the minimum penalty after hearing that Jamie Spiers had given up the […]
DRILL OR DROP? 