Logo

Minorca Opencast Protest Group

Opposed To Opencasting
Home      Campaign Meeting Update
 
On June 17th, two 'plucky' pensioners, Phil Owen aged 66 and Bob Walsh (69) are going to give Leicestershire County Council some idea of the peoples disgust with respect to the Minorca application by walking 15 miles to hand in a pettition to the members of the development and regulatory board, expressing the level of frustration and annoyance  felt by the people of Measham, Swepstone, Snarestone and Newton Burgoland at the length of time it is taking to get a decision made on refusal of the Minorca application, which has been rejected by all the above parish councils and the district council of North West Leicestershire.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On 3rd July 2009, UK Coal announced its intention to opencast.  MOPG have exposed this application for what it is - unnecessary.  All parish and district councils have opposed it.  Due to delaying tactics and excuses by UK Coal this application has still not been determined by the county council.  It will soon be a year that this has been hanging over our heads.  The people want the right decision to be made and refuse this application so we can get on with our lives in peace in an area of nutural beauty and harmony.
 
 
 
 
 
It is 06.30am on June 17th.   Phil Owen and Bob Walsh prepare for their 15 mile walk outside Swepstone Church, whilst being interviewed by BBC Radio Leicester reporter Julie Maire. (above)
 
It is 10.30 and our intrepid duo are nearing Markfield service station, accompanied by avid supporter Julie Morrell.  In good spirits and rearing to go.
 
 
Phil Owen (66) and Bob Walsh (69) treked 15 miles from Swepstone Church to county hall to deliver a petition on behalf of MOPG and those people opposed to the Minorca mining application.
 
*** Congratulations, well done and Thank You ***
 
 
 
 
 
AUGUST 5TH 2009
 
 
 
It was a warm Wednesday evening, nice and clear (- and no rain for a change!).  The hall was opened and comittee members plus various helpers started to congregate on the church hall.  Seats were laid out and tables set up.  Everybody had their brief.
 
 
Get the full address transcripts here. 
 
Steve Leary opened the meeting by thanking everybody for turning up.  Then followed a resume of what has been going on up to this moment, and where we are at present.  This included referance to an article in the local newspaper titled "less hysteria - more facts", whereupon Steve answered the article in detail as part of his speech.  David Taylor then gave a speech about open casting and the effects to the community, the ecconomy, the political position and the process that has to be followed for this to be opposed.  Questions were asked and answered.  Those that could not be addressed on the night were noted down and a response promised back to the individuals who raised them.  Steve addressed the hall and told people what was the next step on the road to getting this stopped one of those being to write to the Parish, County and District councils opposing this proposed action.
 
People listened intently, both inside the hall and those outside who could not get in.  Finally when the meeting was drawn to a close the members applauded Steve Leary and David Taylor for the presentations.