October 17, 2012
Wales

Protesters uniting in song to aid wind farm plans fight

Carmarthen Journal | 17 October 2012 | www.thisissouthwales.co.uk

Anti-wind farm campaigners have united in song for a special protest.

The song they have created is set to the stirring tune of We’ll Keep A Welcome In The Hillside and has been sung by protesters who formed their own impromptu male voice choir.

It comes as planners prepare to make a final decision on proposals for 21 turbines on Mynydd Llanllwni at Bryn Llywelyn.

The planning application, from Renewable Energy Systems (RES), is pencilled in to be decided by the county planning committee on November 20.

John Jones, chairman of the Llanllwni action group, said: “I am reasonably optimistic. If the planning officers look at the whole arrangement, I can’t see how they can go ahead with it.”

He said the group had rallied round and decided to create their song as a fun way to protest.

He is now giving away free copies of their CD from his pub, the Talardd Arms in Llanllwni. The group have also uploaded it on to the internet and hope to post a music video version this week.

Mr Jones said musician Alan Townsend, from Maescrugiau, wrote the lyrics, which poke fun at energy companies and the governments in Westminster and Cardiff.

Turning to the planning debate ahead, he said the group was ready to challenge the developer’s claims about the wind farm.

“We’ve got fantastic support,” said Mr Jones. “What amazes me is the talent that we’ve found.”

He said there were about 50 members of the action group, many who have retired and offered the expertise in fighting the plans.

“When we first looked at RES’s documents, they were about five inches thick. All our hearts dropped because it looked so professional. I decided to divide it up and pass it to those people who knew about each subject.

“What we’ve got is good local knowledge.

“Lots of us are graziers and know that mountain inside out.”

He said the group was now deciding who was going to speak at the forthcoming planing meeting.

Mr Jones added: “We said that this must not get personal and what I am most proud of, as chairman, is that for the most part, that has not happened.”

It is expected that the planning department will visit Mynydd Llanllwni on November 20 before returning to County Hall in the afternoon to make a decision.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/17/protesters-uniting-in-song-to-aid-wind-farm-plans-fight/