Press Release - 30 May 2006

As a pre-match warm up to England's first World Cup match on Saturday 10 June, many of the hundreds of those taking part in Stop Stansted Expansion's (SSE's) fifth annual Runway Ramble that morning will be dressed in England colours as they walk to save their corner of England's green and pleasant land from the expansion threat.  The ramblers will assemble from 10.30am Church End, Broxted, CM6 2BU and depart at around 10.45am.

The two circular walks of 5 and 7.5 miles will start from Church End, Broxted in time for football fans to complete one of the rambles and be home for the big game.   The ramble is just one of 15 events across the UK, France, Greece, Netherlands and Belgium taking place as part of the European Day of Action on Aviation.

ADVANCE PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:  A dozen local children and adults will be in the garden of the Old Vicarage, Church End, Broxted, CM6 2BU, for an advance photocall on Friday 2 June at 4.30pm, dressed in England shirts and carrying a giant banner with the words “Walking to save England's green and pleasant land” and SSE campaign logos.

ON THE ACTUAL DAY OF THE RAMBLE:  Photocall from 10.30am on Saturday 10 June in the garden of the Old Vicarage, Church End, Broxted, CM6 2BU, with various picture opportunities including at least 100 people in fancy dress to represent the things they are fighting to save from the threat of airport expansion.  As well as England strip, many ramblers will be wearing fancy dress ranging from wildlife masks to represent the loss of countryside to ear defenders and 'aircraft guidance paddles' against additional noise, face masks against air pollution, plus placards and banners.  Planes pass at low level over the garden as they come into land at the airport and the photocall has been designed to enable pictures of walkers and planes to be captured with ease.

BACKGROUND:  While local people will be walking to raise awareness of the threat to the community from Stansted expansion proposals, both from the application for unlimited passengers to use the existing runway - currently being considered by BAA - and for a second runway whose application will be submitted in 2007 - solidarity with other communities extends much further afield.

The Europe-wide events being staged by other communities from Aberdeen to Athens will include rallies, marches, demonstrations and conferences to mark the first-ever European Day of Action.  The purpose of the day is to highlight how much opposition there is across Europe to airport expansion and to demonstrate to the aviation industry, national governments and the European Commission that campaign groups across Europe are working together and co-ordinating their activities.

Said SSE Campaign Director Carol Barbone:  “The resolve of local people to overturn the threat from BAA's proposals to make Stansted's runway even busier than Gatwick today is already incredibly strong amongst our 6500 supporters and other members of the community.  Meanwhile, the overwhelming opposition at all levels to the airport developers proposals for a second runway also means that BAA has a major battle on its hands if it thinks it can push through its plans.”

“However,” she continued, “it isn't just the people of Herts, Essex, Suffolk and Cambridge who would be affected by the aviation industry's insatiable demand for growth but a much wider community.  This is why we are working with our counterparts across the country and on the continent to demonstrate our concerns.”

For directions to Church End enter the postcode CM6 2BU on www.multimap.com. See also Coming Events or call the SSE campaign office on 01279 870558 for more details.  There is plenty of free parking in the field opposite the start point.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS
Each group taking part in the European Day will highlight the particular concern in its area.  UECNA, the Europe-wide umbrella body of campaign groups, will also repeat its demand that the European Commission look to phase out night flights at Europe's airports.  Other events will be held by groups at Heathrow, Southampton, Bristol, Luton.  Europe wide events in Belgium (Brussels), France (Paris Charles de Gaulle, Marseille, Lyon, Pontoise, Orly), Greece (Athens) and The Netherlands (The Hague).

FURTHER INFORMATION
Further information on the event and photocalls is available from:
Carol Barbone, Campaign Director, Stop Stansted Expansion M 0777 552 3091 and cbarbone@mxc.co.uk