LOCAL residents concerned about recent news of the threat of fracking locally, are coming together to make their concerns heard.
Frome Anti-Fracking, a campaign group in the town, has started meeting to oppose the Government’s licence applications.
A ‘Frack Free Fayre’ will be held by Performing Arts Awareness at Rook Lane Chapel next month, in which local musicians and workshops will help to raise awareness of the anti-fracking cause.
Frome Anti-Fracking
Frome Anti-Fracking is a group of locals concerned about the health and environmental impacts of fracking, and is rallying with renewed vigour following last month’s licensing announcement.
A member since the group’s inception, environmental educator and writer Helen Moore said, “I’m worried that the current government, whose members include MPs with vested interests in the industry, is determined to impose fracking on the country, despite growing evidence of its horrific impacts.
“Here in Somerset and neighbouring Wiltshire, this could see up to 121 parishes affected by the new Petroleum Exploration Development License (PEDL) blocks.
“Although Frome has little social licence for fracking, in reality town councillors have little say in determining whether or not unconventional oil and gas exploration occurs within the vicinity of the town, even whether horizontal drilling could penetrate deep beneath our homes.
“The 11 prospective new PEDLs in Somerset and Wiltshire could pollute areas of outstanding natural beauty, ancient woodlands, sites of scientific interest and sensitive wetland areas.”
Frome Anti-Fracking includes locals from a wide range of backgrounds including a plumber, a nurse, teachers, a social worker and a retail assistant, who first came together in 2012.
The group has successfully campaigned in the past against fracking applications in Keynsham and the Mendip Hills.
To find out more about Frome Anti-Fracking, visit the blog at www.fromeantifracking.blogspot.co.uk
People can also donate to campaign funds and stay informed by signing up for newsletters via the Frack Free Somerset website, www.frackfreesomerset.org
Frack Free Fayre
Local artists will also be supporting the anti-fracking cause at a ‘Frack Free Fayre’ to be held at the Rook Lane Chapel on Saturday 24th October.
Frome musicians Pete Gage, John Law, and Al O’Kane will be playing alongside former Loose Tubes saxophonist, Iain Ballamy, and big South West bands The Zen Hussies and The Bohemian Embassy.
The Frack Free Fayre is a day-long event with family-orientated events including stalls and speakers, workshops, children’s entertainment, homemade food, an indoor market and more, from 10.00am until 3.30pm. The early segment will be free, but with a suggested donation of £5.
The doors will then reopen at 4.30pm for the evening concert, for which advance tickets cost £20 from the Cheese and Grain.
All profits from the whole event will go to the anti-fracking cause.
For more information visit www.performingartsawareness.org
