More than 300 supporters joined in the walk from Bengeo to Chapmore End in support of the campaign to stop approval being given to a quarry in the heart of Bengeo countryside.
Residents of all ages gathered by the old oak tree in the field behind Bengeo Nurseries to make their views known on the application to turn the field into a gravel pit for the next 15 years. Children decorated the tree with ribbons, posters and poems and the procession then made their way across the byway to Chapmore End. The Woodman Pub then hosted a barbecue and live music was kindly provided by local musicians, with Bengeo Primary School pupil Jakub Pickering kicking off proceedings, followed by Bengeo resident Harold Chaplin, Piping Shrikes, Daisy Mae Lewis, Schrodinger’s Strings and Mike Excell. Councillor Andrew Stevenson thanked the crowds for coming and pledged his support for the campaign.
The day was a great success with money being raised to fund consultancy and legal advice fees for the campaign. Chairman of the Stop Bengeo Quarry campaign committee, Aska Wisniewska-Pickering, said: “I am thrilled with the turnout for today’s event. The huge number of people who joined us for the walk demonstrated the dedication to saving Bengeo’s countryside and ensuring that local pupils and residents enjoy a good quality of life, without pollutants for dust and huge volumes of traffic generated by a quarry. It is not just Bengeo residents that this will affect and we were delighted to welcome people from Ware, Waterford and other surrounding villages yesterday. We welcome all supporters.”