Hereford people ...
Feb 27 2007
anyone seen this: http://bishopsmeadow.org.uk/ ?
Summary: it's a community campaign for alternative flood defences to the ones the council plans ...
there's all sorts anarchists/libertarian communists would disagree with - appealing for better leadership from the council etc - but i've been speaking to someone involved, who was previously not a 'political type', and they're angry for a couple of main reasons:
- the lack of consultation, which seems to have been tokenistic
- the loss of a football pitch, with the money for a replacement being spent in a richer area of town instead (for non-locals, south wye is the poorer working class side of town, though there's plenty of working class areas north of the river too)
- the aesthetic issue of trees being felled and a big concrete wall (i.e. the cheapest option) being built along the park, which also restricts access from the estates to the south
consequently, local people are threatening direct action and they've set up a text alert for people to block the works when they begin. they're demanding better flood defences rather than none, obviously accepting there's a real need for flood defence as it floods on a regular basis.
so anyone know anything about this at all?
Mar 5 2007
#2
apparently people are pretty pissed off in putson/hinton about this - at least when they find out. the apathy seems more to be the fact people have been largely unaware of the plans, despite the supposed 'public consultation.'
from the distance i'm at (brighton), there does seem scope for a community campaign including NVDA to disrupt the work and force the council into a rethink - the above linked group is already taking mobile numbers for a rapid-reaction to any start of work, presumably for lock-ons and the like.
propaganda-wise i think there's a lot to be made of the fact that (a) south wye is the poorest part of town so the council think they can fob off the cheapest solution, (b) to add insult to injury money for replacement sports facilities (footie pitch and .. ? not sure) is being spent in aylestone park instead, (c) they're happy to piss away money in south wye on pointless show-piece projects to suck up to rotherwas businesses - £40k or so on some statues, including of a current rotherwas entrepreneur. the council's only counter-argument seems to be that people should have objected earlier in the "consultation process" - i.e. before anyone knew what was happening! i'd guess some well-written press releases could get into the Hereford Times as they're usually looking to fill space - but i don't know how in thrall to the local bourgoisie the HT is these days - is it supporting the council/community or just reporting 'neutrally' so far?
staple door-to-door stuff is pretty important - if there's sufficient anger a protest march could work, but its the threat of the supposed beneficiaries of the flood defences (residents in hinton/putson) taking direct action that's likely to shit up the council, who are for the most part complacent and arrogant and likely to get caught out by organised, direct resistance.
your best bet is to contact the above linked group and ask how you can get involved, ask when campaign meetings are etc, get a feel for what people think, make suggestions - if theres a group at the college who are opposed to the council plans let them know and discuss how you can help...
like i say this is all from a distance based on second-hand info, but despite the 'law-abiding citizen' type rhetoric from the 'save bishops meadow' group, i've heard of several previously non-political people from putson/hinton who are prepared to get arrested over this, so there does look like there's potential to force the council into a re-think.
JK.
Mar 6 2007
#3
I lke the idea of direct action, but unlike the anti war march we need organisation, and we need it now! Is there any meetings to discuss the possibilities or tactics of some direct action? Are we talking the classic chain ourselves to trees? or maybe some sabotage of the construction site?
I'll check the website now and get back to you.
In solidarity
Andy
Mar 6 2007
#4
Um, should point out that sabotage and wot not are probably best dicussed off line. 
Also chaining yourself to a tree will be purely symbolic. However a platform up a tree with a lump of concrete and a lock on tube. That should flummox 'em for a wee bit. 
Mar 6 2007
#5
yeah direct action tactics are for offline discussion - pm me if you like, though like i say i'm in brighton and only in touch with one of individual involved, so your best bet is to talk to that group, see what they're planning already, suggest any improvements to their plans, offer to get involved etc.
Jun 13 2007
#6
Just seen this thread (three months later)... thought people might like to know the outcome/an update.
Firstly, yes there is a bit of a 'law-abiding citizen' aspect to it, but I think this is just the public face. And they did manage a victory, of sorts. The company (whose name I forget) turned up one morning to chop the trees down and a few people from the campaign got there fast (only three I think). Each stood in front of a tree, no chains, nothing. The workers were politely told that they might as well pack up because the three people there wouldn't let them get chopped down. So they left. They phoned head office, told them they were being prevented from felling the trees, left and never returned. The campaign has secured further consultation and is involved in the planning of the flood defenses.
In other news, the neighbouring ward to where all this was taking place has just elected Hereford's first Green councillor as a result of this and another nearby road project.
Hey
I live in Hereford and have been disgusted by the plans and the apathy that exists in hereford. There is a strong feeling in the college that the plans should be stopped. any thoughts on what needs to be done?
In solidarity
Andy