‘Groundswell Rising’ is an important and inspiring film about fracking and people defending their land and communities in America.
Mark Lichty from Pennsylvania, the film’s executive producer, will be coming to Frome for a screening at Rook Lane Chapel on his last night of a UK tour, which starts in Parliament at Westminster on 1st March, then around Scotland, to Lancashire and ending in Frome on Wednesday 9th March at 7.30pm, which will be his only date in the South West.
Mark has long been involved in issues of social justice and change. He is an attorney and former CEO of Bustin Industrial Products. He spent tens of thousands of dollars converting his plant to gas, and had no issues with fracking at that time. However, once the film began, with the necessary research to do such a film, he changed his position completely and now believes fracking is the major issue of our times and, due to the health and environmental consequences, is a moral issue as well.
Likewise, there is a great deal of concern from people in Somerset and Wiltshire about the effects of fracking so this would be a timely opportunity to come and hear first-hand from someone who has lived side by side with the industry.
Seven new licences for fracking have been approved in North Somerset and another four to the east of Frome, which include Trowbridge, Rode, Beckington, Chapmanslade, Westbury, Warminster and the Longleat estate. These licences could affect 11 groundwater source protection zones which campaigners say should remain free of oil or gas exploration.
Frome Town Council has already declared Frome a Frack Free zone in recognition of the potential risks of fracking. At the film screening there will also be a chance to find out more about the licences and what people can do to object to fracking in their local area.
The Groundswell Rising screening comes hot on the heels of a renewable energy seminar on Friday 4th March at Rook Lane Chapel and a one day renewable energy conference on Saturday 5th March at the Cheese and Grain in Frome.
For further information including ticketing please see www.rooklane.org.uk/events/groundswell-rising
