Very loud and crystal clear

Swindon protesters tell football club, property developers and Swindon Council to find another site for a stadium

The photo with impact that the Evening Advertiser did not publish. Note the crowds in the background.

Rain and mist did not dampen the spirits of the 1,500 people - maybe more - who turned up on Saturday 1 May to protest against the proposals to redevelop the country park they have worked for and dreamt about for the last ten years, into a football stadium and sports village.

Bill Oliver, chief executive of St Modwen Properties plc, in condescending terms said at the public consultation meeting on 29 April, "I feel it is a bit early for people to be protesting. I don't wish to be patronising but we are in the very early stages of this. People may be protesting about things they do not necessarily fully understand. If, further down the line, they still wish to protest, then so be it."

Well, this is only the start of opposition to the proposals and the number of people who turn up at future events may be even greater.

The message to St Modwen Properties plc and Swindon Town Football Club is, back off now. This dispute will be long and expensive. Don't be responsible for splitting the town.

And to Swindon Council. Get real, stop the duplicity and don't betray your community. Back your commitments made in 1994 to the Great Western Community Forest and to the creation of a new forest park for the 21st Century. Pull out of any discussion about commercial development of the site.

Click here to see the protest photos.

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Your reaction to the May Day demo in support of the Shaw Forest Country Park


Community police in the community

From Prof. Brian Toft, Research Coordinator Swindon Forest Protection Group

On Saturday 1 May, which was a cold wet rainy day, a demonstration against the proposed wholesale destruction of Shaw Forest Country Park took place on Mead Way. The purpose of the protest was to illustrate the chaotic traffic conditions that would prevail if thousands of people were to try to access the site of the proposed stadium.

According to the police officers present it was estimated that some 1,500 men, women and children were involved in the crossing of Mead Way to walk on to Shaw Forest Country Park.

As anticipated the flow of traffic was disrupted for over an hour while the demonstration took place. However, thanks to the advice and help provided by our local police force, and in particular community beat officer WPC Pat Salter, the protest as intended was safe, peaceful and a resounding success.

Therefore, the Swindon Forest Protection Group (SFPG) would like to publicly thank all the police officers who took part in supervising the demonstration for the their patience, help, understanding and good humour.

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