90 people came to the Forest Row Freshfield Hall on 22nd Feb, to learn more about and discuss the alarming threat that hydraulic fracturing poses to our ecology & our community.
After a thought-provoking introduction by Mike Grenville of Transition Forest Row, we screened “Water on Fire” a TED Talk by Josh Fox.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFBtduSSkoM
Will Cottrell of the Brighton Energy Coop gave a presentation about the dangers of the fracking process and the planning situation across the Weald. Vanessa Vine then spoke about the local, national and international campaigns so far and the worldwide calls for moratoria and ongoing redirection of focus towards renewable energy sources.
Keith Taylor MEP sent a message of support and solidarity and we discussed with all present, what moves could be taken further to raise awareness of and challenge the rushing through of this very worrying, unsustainable and irresponsible energy procurement technique.
Controversial company Cuadrilla has planning permission to perform hydraulic fracturing at Balcombe, West Sussex. The borehole is ¾ mile from Ardingly Reservoir and ½ mile from the Sussex Ouse, both of which contribute to Forest Row’s drinking water and, via the Barcombe (near Lewes) water treatment plant, to the supplies of treated water to around 72,000 homes across large parts of East and West Sussex.
There are worldwide concerns about contamination of groundwater caused by the toxic chemicals (many of them carcinogenic) that are used in the fracking process.
Cuadrilla has already carried out test fracking in Cowden and is seeking permission to start work in Lingfield. Another company, Magellan Petroleum, has license blocks right across the Weald, including Ashdown Forest.
