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Show of support for the defendants at the High Court. Photo by James Knapp

Campaigners from across the South East gathered at the High Court in London at lunchtime today in a protest against a “draconian injunction” application by oil company, UK Oil and Gas.

Six women from Surrey and Sussex are opposing the application for an interim injunction which aims to stop certain forms of protest at UKOG sites. They say their right to peaceful protest will be stifled by the injunction, which is in breach of their human rights. UKOG is currently presenting its case, and will be followed by Stephanie Harrison QC for the defendants. The case is due to finish on Thursday morning.

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Press release from Weald Action Group

Six women from Surrey and Sussex are at the High Court today (Tuesday 3 July) to defend the right to peaceful protest which is being challenged by UK Oil and Gas (UKOG).

Campaigners from across the South East and London will be outside the Rolls Building, 7 Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1NL, at 1.15pm to support the defendants, adding their voices to the many opposed to onshore oil and gas exploration. 

They will be joined by Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley and deputy leader Amelia Womack, supporting the right to peaceful protest.

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Le Tour De Frack
Register now! 

On 23 June 2018 we will be gathering for an ‘en masse’ cycle tour of areas affected by oil drilling in the South East of England. Sites will include Horse Hill, Brockham and Leith Hill in Surrey and Balcombe in West Sussex.

This will be a fun event with riders of all levels and abilities welcome. You can participate for a small section of the route or make a whole day of it.

The ride will be bright and colourful, with flags and banners to raise awareness and to get our message out ‘Clean Energy Now’ and ‘No to Drilling in The Weald’.

The tour will start from Meadowbank in Dorking at 10.30am. There will be three routes to choose from: 22 miles, 30 miles or 57 miles. Participating cyclists should register at Eventbrite.

For a sneak preview of the routes, go to the following links:

• Route 1 https://www.plotaroute.com/route/614001
• Route 2 https://www.plotaroute.com/route/614562
• Route 3 https://www.plotaroute.com/route/615609

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Leith Hill Community Blues Band has secured a music distribution deal, meaning its recently recorded single will now be available via a wide range of digital outlets including iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.

The Dorking-based community band was formed to promote awareness of the oil drilling threat at Leith Hill, and to highlight the role of the Forestry Commission, which leased the drill site to Europa Oil and Gas.

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Join the fight to free Surrey from its harmful investments in fossil fuel companies!

Divest Surrey, Surrey Federation of Green Parties and Divest Parliament have joined forces to host a free skill share workshop in Guildford on Saturday 26 May.

They’ll be sharing techniques, tricks and strategies to convince local MPs and Councillors to back divestment and get their support for investing in a clean energy future.

As well as free snacks, you can expect to:
• Get to grips with the exciting divestment movement and our work in Surrey
• Learn about effective ways to build relationships MPs and Councillors
• Concoct ace plans to engage MPs and Councillors across Surrey about divestment

The workshop takes place from 11am-1.30pm on 26 May, at Beverley Hall Community Centre, 71 Haydon Place, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4ND

Find out more and register

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for South East England, is hosting the Surrey Premiere of ‘Power Trip: Fracking in the UK’, a new film made by Undercurrents UK.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A panel discussion and an update on oil and gas drilling activities in Surrey and the Weald.

When: Thursday 10 May 2018, 7.30-10pm

Where: Green Room Theatre, (behind Dorking Halls), Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SG

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Press release from the Weald Action Group

The Weald Action group – an umbrella organisation for those opposing unconventional oil and gas exploration across South East England – is today (24th April) launching a Crowd Justice fundraising appeal to challenge a proposed legal injunction which aims to stop protests against UK Oil and Gas (UKOG) company’s exploration sites. (1)

The appeal was launched this morning as UKOG, a company listed on the “Alternative Investment Market”, held its Annual General Meeting in London.

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Six local residents from oil exploration sites across Surrey and Sussex have launched a crowdfunder appeal to pay for the legal costs of fighting an injunction being pursed by UK Oil and Gas Ltd.

UK Oil and Gas Ltd (UKOG, and its family of companies) has applied to the High Court for an injunction that could severely curtail local people’s ability to campaign against their plans to drill for oil and gas near their homes. UKOG has a site at Horse Hill in Surrey as well as an interest in Leith Hill site.

The six residents say, “This injunction could stop the right to peaceful protest and prevent us from raising awareness of the new risky methods of unconventional oil and gas drilling and the industrialisation of our beautiful countryside.

“We need your support to raise funds for our legal costs.”

Support the Crowdfunder appeal

Angus Energy have submitted their long-awaited planning application for the next stage of work at the Brockham Oilfield at Felton’s Farm, Old School Lane. The application is in three parts, and relates to well BRX4 where an unauthorised sidetrack was drilled last January.

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Press release from the Weald Action Group

MEDIA PHOTOCALL: 9.30am on Monday 19 March outside the Rolls Building, 7 Fetter Lane, EC4 A 1NL

Weald residents: Join us outside the High Courts, from 9.15 am. Bring a slice of rural life into London – Banners, placards and wellies, waxed jackets, and a mug of tea welcome. 

Campaigners from across the South East of England will be attending the High Court in London on Monday 19 March to challenge attempts to introduce an injunction that seeks to severely curtail fundamental human rights.

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