Fracking protestors vow to make a difference

Organisers of Saturday's anti-fracking march in Eckington are adamant they made a difference in the fight to keep shale gas drilling away from their patch.
Anti-fracking protestors take to the streetsAnti-fracking protestors take to the streets
Anti-fracking protestors take to the streets

Significantly higher numbers than expected turned out for the march to the Butchers Arms pub. Along the way, they chanted a slogan which is becoming common in the area: no fracking way.

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It’s aimed at oil and chemical company Ineos, who is looking at exploring shale gas reserves in the area.

Anti-fracking campaignersAnti-fracking campaigners
Anti-fracking campaigners

Some marched from Mosborough before meeting up with the group for the final leg of the journey.

The women behind the march - Mosborough’s Sarah Vause and Eckington resident Sarah Marsh - hoped 200 people would march alongside them. They lost count at the 350 mark.

The two Sarahs say awareness is the key, and they achieved that.

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“We got some media attention, and hopefully some good media attention,” Sarah Vause, 39, said.

Campaigners address the crowds who have gathered to march against fracking in DerbyshireCampaigners address the crowds who have gathered to march against fracking in Derbyshire
Campaigners address the crowds who have gathered to march against fracking in Derbyshire

“Everybody’s got a right to their opinion, and we had the right to stage a peaceful protest today.”

She now wants people to start “doing their homework in regards to fracking and some of the health and environmental implications it can have.

“At the end of the day, you can’t preach to people,” she said.

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The women were also pleased that everyone stayed safe during the march. Plenty of work went in to making sure that happened, with meetings with Derbyshire Police.

Anti-fracking campaignersAnti-fracking campaigners
Anti-fracking campaigners

Mrs Marsh, 46, said the hard work paid off, and the issue was well and truly on the radar in the area.

“We thought it would make a difference,” she said.

“We’ve heard of other areas where other companies have pulled out because of public protests.”

The women say they are ordinary people who care about their townships.

Campaigners address the crowds who have gathered to march against fracking in DerbyshireCampaigners address the crowds who have gathered to march against fracking in Derbyshire
Campaigners address the crowds who have gathered to march against fracking in Derbyshire

“We are just concerned mums really,” Mrs Marsh said.

Mrs Vause agreed.

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“I feel so strongly for my kids, my health and my house,” she said. “It’s had quite a big impact on my life.”

Cassie Steel from the Eckington Agaist Fracking campaign group added: “It showed what people can do and what mums will do to protect their children, and to protect their community.

“The march was peaceful and everyone got from one end to the other safely.

“We need to show the Government that this is not the communities choice and that we do not support what is happening, there is no benefit to the community in this, again as we have seen from the mining industry we will be left with a legacy of industrial diseases and I for one am not willing to see that again.

“Hopefully INEOS have seen that our parish says “no fracking way” and realises that they have picked on the wrong village. “

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