Heathrow campaigners picnic on the site of the 3rd runway

19.7.2009   (NoTRAG)


A plot of land with over 50,000 "owners" near Heathrow Airport was the venue
for a picnic organised by the No Third Runway Action Group (NoTRAG) as part of
The Big Lunch initiative on Sunday 19th July.

Environmental organisation Greenpeace purchased the field, named "Airplot", in
the threatened village of Sipson to oppose the massive Heathrow expansion.   So
far over 50,000 have signed up to become beneficial owners of the land to show
their support for the campaign.

While the land has become a symbol of defiance, it is also being put to good
use.   Actor Richard Briers helped plant an allotment full of fruit and vegetables
while an area is being given over to nature, including a haven for stag beetles.

It was all terribly British.   On the day, with dark clouds scudding overhead,
even the blustery winds and a sprinkling of summer drizzle couldn’t dampen the
campaigners’ high spirits as they shared their  picnics,  ate their sandwiches by
the neat rows of beans, carrots and strawberries, and enjoyed a great lunch outside
in the fresh air. .  

The campaigners believe that, if the Conservatives win the next General Election,
they will keep their promise to scrap the third runway but, the fact that the
campaigners chose Airplot as the site for their picnic, shows their underlying
determination that, if the third runway is not dropped, they will fight it to
the bitter end.

Christine Taylor, Vice Chair of NoTRAG, said:  "When we heard about The Big Lunch
initiative to celebrate British communities, Airplot seemed the perfect spot for
a NoTRAG picnic.  Our communities are worth fighting for and Airplot has brought
together thousands of people who agree that Heathrow expansion must not go ahead”.

www.notrag.org.uk

 
After Glastonbury,  Greenpeace now have over 50,000 people who’ve signed up to
become beneficial owners of the Airplot (and we haven’t yet counted how many lovely people signed up at Latitude at
the weekend). If you haven’t signed up yet, or haven’t asked your MP to become
an owner yet,
you can do it here.