Save Druridge protest walk
Almost 100 people determined to maintain the beauty, peace and wildlife of a Northumberland beauty spot braved torrential rain and biting winds to show their support for the Save Druridge campaign on May 3.
Due to the large number of campaigners (families and dogs), Northumbria Police accompanied the walkers and closed the road to ensure the safety of everyone concerned.
The route took everyone adjacent to the site of the planned open cast that will be fully in view of the sand dunes and the popular tourist road leading from Cresswell to Druridge. Although not a political rally, Julie Porksen, (Liberal Democrat) and Rachel Roberts, (Green Party) joined the walk.
Every one, including people from Newcastle, Alnwick and even Durham had one goal in mind and that is to protect the land around Druridge Bay.
There has been open cast mining here in this part of South East Northumberland for as long as anyone can remember and enough is enough.
The Druridge area is a step too far and I would like to thank all who came to the walk including our piper and the police for keeping us safe.
Campaigner Sue Hurrell from Heaton, Newcastle explained that “Druridge is the first really wild and natural beach available to people living in Newcastle. It’s beauty and wildness are a perfect antidote to urban living and it is valued by many people living in the city.”
Max Tait who lives very close to the proposed site summed up everyone’s feelings about the weather perfectly; “What’s a little rain compared to the devastation that the opencast will cause?”
Keith Newman
