Pilgrimage to protest at oil drilling in Dorset

Planet Shaftesbury is organising a three day walk from Shaftesbury to Studland to raise awareness for and demonstrate against drilling for oil in the county.

Richard Ecclestone, one of the organisers of the event, said: “The main premise is that we are wanting to raise awareness that drilling for oil is happening in the county.

He added that, despite pledges from the government to address the issue of climate change, this drilling is still going ahead.

The three day walk will start at Shaftesbury on Friday, September 27, and will follow footpaths and lanes down to Blandford. On day two, the pilgrims will head from Blandford to Wareham, and on the Sunday they will go from Wareham to Studland.

People can join the walk at any point along the route.

Once the pilgrims reach Studland, there are plans for ‘mass gathering’ at Joe’s Cafe starting at 2.30pm after which there will be a procession towards Old Harry Rocks.

Attendees are asked to bring a bell to “Ring for Changes.”

A spokesman for Planet Shaftesbury said: “Dorset Council, town councils and the UK parliament have all declared a state of Climate Emergency. The Seahorse Trust are taking the government to court for granting the drilling licence to Corallian Energy. We need a green energy strategy now.

“Let’s come together to say no to Climate Destruction and join the fight to demand our Government acts on a Climate Emergency agenda to protect its people and ecosystems.”

Planet Shaftesbury is an organisation committed to raising awareness for environmental issues and climate change.

This walk is not the only demonstration from environmental activists due to happen in Dorset soon.

Extinction Rebellion Dorchester and Weymouth will hold a ‘Day of Action’ in Weymouth on Saturday, August 31, which will involve a day of peaceful protest and a ‘Rebel Base’ in the town as well as film screenings and a ‘People’s Assembly’ in St Mary’s Church. For more information about the pilgrimage, visit planetshaftesbury.org