Countryside Action Network News

News 22 December Read our latest Newsletter here And find out how you can join our campaign of non-co-operation - here ‘Bollocks to Blair’ Badges: 50p per badge +50p post & packing per order are still available. Cheques payable to Countryside Action Network to Countryside Action Network P.O. BOX 22, USK, NP15 1ZA. 16 September - - pictures added The lead story in all the media was the security breach at the House of Commons! The action demonstrated the anger, frustration and determination felt by hunt supporters. Any suggestion of condemnation for their actions is - in our opinion - out-of-order. With careful planning, skill and not a little courage, these young men tested the security of the House of Commons and found it wanting. They also highlighted how FEW MPs bothered to attend the debate! At time of writing, they are still in police custody and we don't know what charges will be brought, but they were prepared to risk imprisonment to make OUR feelings known! We MUST keep the pressure up - but we must also ensure that our actions are carefully calculated to ensure maximum media attention for minimum 'bad' press. The small amount of 'violence' yesterday was largely due to an over-reaction by police to some persistent, but initially peaceful attempts to 'take' a little more road. It is VERY hard not to react when you see people around you being attacked indiscriminately! 15 September What SHOULD have been a peaceful protest is rapidly descending into chaos as a small number of protesters 'misbehave' and some police react violently. Parliament has been suspended - for how long is not clear. The Government has ignored all warnings about the anger caused by yet another attempt to ban hunting, which ignores all the evidence. It is a sad day indeed, as 'Hyde Park Rules' have been thrown into the Thames - we have been pushed too far! CALL TO ACTION IN WESTMINSTER WEDNESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2004 1. EVERYONE MUST BE THERE. A spontaneous, determined protest by the Countryside Action Network, the Countryside Alliance and the Council of Hunting Associations. It will not influence the backbench bigots, but must show the Government that a ban will be completely unenforceable and deter it from using the Parliament Act. 2. Each Hunt to aim for at least 50 participants. 3. No horses, hounds or dogs – A later major event for these is being planned. 4. Participants to wear clothing which is not hunt or country type. The aim is to be indistinguishable from tourists or workers in the area and so have no difficulty in reaching Westminster. 5. Arrive in Parliament Square /Bridge Street /Big Ben area before 1pm on WEDNESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER on foot as “tourists”, possibly by Underground to Westminster station (if closed, go to next station – preferably Embankment) or by Bus (Routes 11, 12, 24,159, 453 - ask for Houses of Parliament) or Taxi. 6. If travelling by car or coach, disembark at outlying tube or train station. (See ‘Access to London’ suggestions overleaf.). Coaches not to display stickers posters etc. Banners, placards etc. welcome – but if they are evident, you may be turned back by Police. 7. If you do bring a car into Central London, do not forget the Congestion Charge of £5 per vehicle. This can be paid in advance by ringing 0845 900 1234 with your Credit or Debit Card number or at selected Service Stations etc. There are substantial penalties for failing to pay by 10pm on the day! 8. Be prepared to lie / sit down for up to an hour. If you prefer to stand, your presence will still be invaluable. 9. Anticipate leaving Westminster between 5 & 7pm. 10. The Police may try to stop you before you reach Parliament Square. In that case, do not resist. You may find an alternative route. If not, remain peacefully in the immediate area until sufficient other like-minded people have arrived and further directions are given. 11. PLEASE NO ALCOHOL UNTIL THE PROTEST IS COMPLETE. 12. It is essential that we show ourselves to be responsible people who will never submit to unjust law. We must not allow ourselves to be justly accused of being a rabble. IF OUR BEHAVIOUR IS SUCH THAT WE UPSET THE HOUSE OF LORDS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT NEED TO USE THE PARLIAMENT ACT TO ENACT A BAN! 13. None of the above is intended to incite or condone illegal acts. PLEASE COPY THIS AND CIRCULATE WIDELY AMONG HUNTING SUPPORTERS For further information, please contact Janet George on 01299 841338 or Peter Gent on 01291 650962 / 07774 890021 Travel and other Information Remember------------------------ IT’S NOT OVER UNTIL WE’VE WON !




Huge Land Banners spelling out “NO BAN” burning straw will provide dramatic images. One site per region will be supported by further Land Banners lit by individual hunts and clubs. The fires will be lit on Monday night. You may wish to take part in this if you have a suitable site. The latest locations are : - Whitchurch, Hampshire Sutton Scarsdale, Derbyshire Hadrian's Wall, Nr. Newcastle Elle Grange, Lancaster, Kirkby Overblow, Yorkshire Raddon Hill, between Crediton and Exeter Brampton, Cambridgeshire Smite in Worcestershire Wroughton in Wiltshire
SUGGESTED ACCESS TO LONDON FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE CHEAP RETURN TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS ON THE UNDERGROUND. ENQUIRE AT TICKET OFFICES. From the South West Take the M3/A316 as far as Richmond. Once you've passed the rugby stadium and crossed another two roundabouts look out for Twickenham Bridge where you cross the River Thames. Carefully take the next right across the traffic into the Old Deer Park car park. If you leave from the top end of this you'll cross one street and duck up an alleyway to Richmond Station. Regular fast trains to Waterloo take 1/4 hour. Leave from the Eurostar side of the station, head for the London Eye and cross Westminster Bridge. From the West Leave the M4 at Junction 3 and approach central London on the A4. This runs next to the Piccadilly Line and actually passes Osterley tube station. Park as near as you can or, even better, where the A4 meets the overhead section of the M4, you can turn left into Boston Manor Road. Half a mile up that road you meet Boston Manor tube, which is the next stop along. You can park here for free with a little ingenuity. Change from the Piccadilly to the District Line at Hammersmith and continue Eastbound to Westminster. Don't take the M25 between the M4 and M3 during the rush hour, as there are hideous roadworks. From the North, North West & Midlands Leave the M1 at Junction 4, and take the A41 South to the first roundabout. Turn right here onto the A410 along to Stanmore Tube Station. The Car Park is on your left immediately before the station. The Jubilee Line takes you straight to Westminster. Or from the A1, take the A41 North / West bound to the first roundabout and turn left along the A410 to Stanmore Tube Station. The Car Park is on your left immediately before the station. The Jubilee Line takes you straight to Westminster. From the East At the end of the M11, turn left along the A12 (Eastern Avenue) for just over 2 miles to Newbury Park Station. (Large car park behind station) Take the tube to Bank and change to District / Circle Line. Westbound to Westminster. From the South East From the A2, come off at Eltham and park at Eltham station from whence there are regular trains to Waterloo East. From Waterloo, head for the London Eye and cross Westminster Bridge. Access is also easy from mainline stations at Charing Cross (Go down the side of the station to the river and turn right along the Embankment) and Victoria (fork right out of station down Victoria Street past the large building site on the corner) Loos There are loos under Parliament Square accessible from the tube and the top of Whitehall. More salubrious ones are located underground, opposite the west front of Westminster Abbey on the corner of Tothill Street and Broad Sanctuary. There is also a very nice set under the Methodist Central Hall next door. This is a cheap place to get a self-service lunch and has plenty of seating.
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