February 28, 2012
England

Scheme is no laughing matter for group

Northumberland Gazette, www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk 28 February 2012

Campaigners fighting a proposed windfarm have turned to art and photography to further their case.

Middleton Burn Action Group has sought help from both artist and author Ron Curran and photographer Tony Meikle to put its case against the proposed development of a 16-turbine windfarm at Middleton Burn, near Belford

Ron, of Belford, for many years a mines’ Union official, knows a fair bit about energy supplies.

Now retired, he has written and published many books about the mines, the North East and other subjects.

He is probably best known locally for his watercolours of the area and his well-attended evening art classes.

The turbine proposal has been put forward by Air Farmers Ltd, who held an exhibition in Belford and the exit poll showed 93.6 per cent opposed.

At a further open meeting in the village, Air Farmers managing director Jens Rasmussen gave a further presentation.

A counter argument was delivered by Andrew Joicey.

At the conclusion, 100 per cent of those who voted said no to the scheme.

The action group was then established to fight the development.

As many windfarm development companies have strong Danish connections, one of the action group committee came up with the idea of a poster based on the Viking invasion of Lindisfarne in 793AD headed: Windpower brought the Danish raiders here in 793 – do not let it happen again.

This is where Ron’s help was sought and he was given a loose brief on the idea and asked to use his imagination.

The result is a very serious matter depicted with great humour.

Glanton photographer Tony has also helped the group.

He has produced an artist’s impression of what the Middleton Burn site from the church in Belford could look like.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/28/scheme-is-no-laughing-matter-for-group/