Well over one hundred people braved yet another cold night at Barton Moss to celebrate their achievements and party until late to end the first phase of the Salford Community Protection Camp.
The evening started in daylight, with punk rappers Class Actions tearing up and burning The Sun as a statement on both the mainstream media's handling of anti-fracking events and on the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. The crew were followed by Salford poet Intoxikie tearing up the night air with some explosive verse.
Jasmine, the youngest members of the Camp, then took to the mic to express virtually everyone's thoughts on the experience of being at the Camp…
"I'd just like to say that once you've been down here for all these months and seen all these people, it's really good…it's just amazing that they've all come to support" she said "Now it's come to an end it's really upsetting because you've met so many great people on this camp and it's such an inspiration for all the little kids who come down here.
"The first time I came down here I never wanted to leave, and then as soon as I left I wanted to come back" she added "And now it's over it's so upsetting, it's going to be hard to let all this go. But we'll definitely be back in September…"
As darkness fell, while some danced the night away, others gathered around fires and in the open shelters, sharing their memories of Salford and Barton Moss – the north's first front line against fracking.
To be continued…
* The next few days will see a massive clean up and restoration of the Barton Moss Camp site and volunteers are being asked to lend a hand.
See also previous Salford Star articles…
Stories From Barton Moss Part 1: The Salford Protector's Story… click here
Stories From Barton Moss Part 2: The Protector's Story – click here