“Ownership” of land is one of the key things that allows exploitation and oppression to exist in society. Not to mention that the very notion is utterly perverse. No one can own land it belongs to all of us and to itself. By us I do not mean humans, there is no God in the sky who can give us dominion over the Earth and the animals. The land belongs to all of us; the plants and animals (including humans) that together create a complex and diverse eco-system, which can and should benefit all of us. Before the enclosures, when the elite in society forcefully removed good working folk from the land so they could use it to make themselves even richer, the land was held in common and used for the good of the whole community.
The proposed development at Titnore Woods is no different. The elite in society are trying to claim ownership of the land to exploit it for their own profit and gain and to do so they will violently remove the people living in Camp Titnore. The development will cause irreversible environmental damage, destroying the last ancient woodland in the area and by bringing in more people to the area despite the lack of jobs forcing them to commute and thus causing even more pollution and traffic chaos to the surrounding area. Not to mention that most of the development will be large expensive housing, which will bring in rich commuters who with their vast spending power will push the prices of goods and services up in Worthing, forcing out local residents who may have lived here all their lives and gentrifying the area.
So we urge as many of you as possibly can to attend the protest outside the council meeting, deciding to the future of Titnore Woods. This is our last chance to try and convince the Council to reconsider, if we fail it will be – TO THE TREES!!!
Protest: Monday, March 15, 2010
Time: 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Location: Outside Assembly Hall, Stoke Abbott Road, Worthing
Worthing Anarchists have been heavily involved in the campaign to save Titnore Woods since its humble beginnings. So here is a brief history of the campaign:
December 2001:
The Porkbolter reveals direct action campaign is being planned to save Durrington’s Titnore Woods from development.
Protect Our Woodland! is set up by campaigners against Titnore development.
May 26th 2002:
First Save Titnore Woods! protest sees 350 people block Titnore Lane, in the face of incredibly heavy and hostile policing.
September 1 2002:
Protest/delegation visits Somerset family, Titnore landowners, off A27 at Durrington.
September 13 2003:
Protest outside exhibition on Titnore development at Durrington Community Centre, complaining about lack of promised public meeting on issue.
April 19 2004:
Angry opposition to Titnore development plans at public meeting in Pavilion Theatre, Worthing.
July 10 2004:
Save Titnore Woods! march from Montague Place, to Teville Gate.
June 19 2005:
Protesters evicted from stormy meeting at Assembly Hall as Worthing council Okays original Titnore plans.
September 4 2005:
Emergency Titnore rally at Northbrook Park, Durrington, culminating in burning of John Prescott effigy in Titnore Lane, blocking traffic.
October 29 2005:
Draconian over-policing at Vigil for the Death of Democracy protest against Titnore development, A259 Northbrook College roundabout.
May 28 2006:
Protest camp set up in Titnore Woods, in daring dawn occupation. Still there at time of writing. Regular support stalls held in town centre from that date onwards.
July 6 2006:
100 people attend packed meeting at Charles Dickens pub, Heene Road, Worthing, addressed by Titnore campers.
August 12 2006:
Titnore Woods day of action with mass cycle ride and town protest.
October 7 2006:
Mass protest walk to Titnore Woods from Durrington rail station.
December 2006:
Titnore supporters collect Christmas food donations for camp in town centre.
May 2 2007:
‘T-Day’ celebration of Camp Titnore’s first birthday, Worthing town centre
September 15 2007:
Open Day at Camp Titnore
(Actions from the last couple of years will be updated shortly)
The last time Worthing Anarchist were involved in a protest Camp it was against the Arundel bypass ‘bypass’ which would have gone straight through the middle of Binstead Woods. The camp prevented that from happening. So that’s 1-0, we don’t intend to let our undefeated record go down without a fight!
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