Flash mob protestors 'sell' Pendle Hill

11:45am Tuesday 4th December 2012 in Pendle Photograph of the Author By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

Oxfam supporter Dylan Mpofu Oxfam supporter Dylan Mpofu

FLASH mob protesters used East Lancashire’s most prominent landmark to make a point regarding land exploitation in the Third World.

Campaigners from Oxfam descended on Pendle Hill to spell out the word ‘SOLD’ on the 1,827-foot summit, to highlight the plight of homeless farmers in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Charity crusaders claim that ‘land grabs’ have deprived countless families of their traditional farming territories, at the expense of foreign investors and interests.

Some of the illegal evictions are carried out with violence, prompting 70 young people to become involved in a lightning raid on the site.

The slogan was displayed in 70-foot high letters as a result of the two-hour operation. Protesters say an area the size of London is being seized every six days as a result of land grabs.

Beth Kerr, who took part in the operation, said: “By spelling the word ‘SOLD’ 70ft high, without warning, on a landmark so close to our hearts like Pendle Hill, we hope to bring home to people what experiencing a land grab is like.

“Land grabs often happen with no prior consultation – imagine being thrown off your land without warning and finding yourself homeless, landless, penniless and at risk of violence.

“Imagine how people in Lancashire would react if their precious hill was sold without their consent, and transformed.”

The charity is now urging people who are interested in the cause to organise their own ‘land grab’ protests between now and the weekend and help to highlight the issue.

Comments (9)

5:23pm Tue 4 Dec 12

PK Bailey says...

What about Zimbabwe when farmers were kicked off there,now the countries bankrupt!
What about Zimbabwe when farmers were kicked off there,now the countries bankrupt! PK Bailey

8:10pm Tue 4 Dec 12

helenaloretta says...

George White Bread wrote:
“Imagine how people in Lancashire would react if their precious hill was sold without their consent, and transformed.”

Firstly the people of Lancashire don't "own" Pendle Hill so why would their consent be required should it be sold and secondly what exactly could a 1827 foot hill be transformed into? Luxury apartments maybe? A yachting Marina perhaps?
Lay off the frosty jack and the LSD and get your unwashed masses down to the job centre.
Imagine what the world would be like, if there were less abusive and cowardly people. Imagine, If there were more people that applauded dedication, commitment and effort. Imagine, if more people were kind and good-hearted and thought about people other than themselves.

These are young people that are in college and taking part in a National Citizen Service programme and took part in this scheme to give back to their community. They do not deserve to have their hard work desecrated by narrow minded individuals.

Your comments are petty and selfish and I have reported them.
[quote][p][bold]George White Bread[/bold] wrote: “Imagine how people in Lancashire would react if their precious hill was sold without their consent, and transformed.” Firstly the people of Lancashire don't "own" Pendle Hill so why would their consent be required should it be sold and secondly what exactly could a 1827 foot hill be transformed into? Luxury apartments maybe? A yachting Marina perhaps? Lay off the frosty jack and the LSD and get your unwashed masses down to the job centre.[/p][/quote]Imagine what the world would be like, if there were less abusive and cowardly people. Imagine, If there were more people that applauded dedication, commitment and effort. Imagine, if more people were kind and good-hearted and thought about people other than themselves. These are young people that are in college and taking part in a National Citizen Service programme and took part in this scheme to give back to their community. They do not deserve to have their hard work desecrated by narrow minded individuals. Your comments are petty and selfish and I have reported them. helenaloretta

6:30am Wed 5 Dec 12

George White Bread says...

helenaloretta wrote:
George White Bread wrote:
“Imagine how people in Lancashire would react if their precious hill was sold without their consent, and transformed.”

Firstly the people of Lancashire don't "own" Pendle Hill so why would their consent be required should it be sold and secondly what exactly could a 1827 foot hill be transformed into? Luxury apartments maybe? A yachting Marina perhaps?
Lay off the frosty jack and the LSD and get your unwashed masses down to the job centre.
Imagine what the world would be like, if there were less abusive and cowardly people. Imagine, If there were more people that applauded dedication, commitment and effort. Imagine, if more people were kind and good-hearted and thought about people other than themselves.

These are young people that are in college and taking part in a National Citizen Service programme and took part in this scheme to give back to their community. They do not deserve to have their hard work desecrated by narrow minded individuals.

Your comments are petty and selfish and I have reported them.
You need to grow up and accept that because we live in a democracy we have the right to hold a different opinion. I personally think that defacing and littering a local land mark is pathetic and not the way to get your point across. And where in this article does it say that they are students on a NCS programme? In what way will this prepare students to make a positive contribution to OUR society? If the college have endorsed this kind of behaviour then they should be reported to the relevant education authorities.

If you don't like my opinion that's just tough, think yourself lucky you don't
live in North Korea where you'd be arrested if you had an opinion.
[quote][p][bold]helenaloretta[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]George White Bread[/bold] wrote: “Imagine how people in Lancashire would react if their precious hill was sold without their consent, and transformed.” Firstly the people of Lancashire don't "own" Pendle Hill so why would their consent be required should it be sold and secondly what exactly could a 1827 foot hill be transformed into? Luxury apartments maybe? A yachting Marina perhaps? Lay off the frosty jack and the LSD and get your unwashed masses down to the job centre.[/p][/quote]Imagine what the world would be like, if there were less abusive and cowardly people. Imagine, If there were more people that applauded dedication, commitment and effort. Imagine, if more people were kind and good-hearted and thought about people other than themselves. These are young people that are in college and taking part in a National Citizen Service programme and took part in this scheme to give back to their community. They do not deserve to have their hard work desecrated by narrow minded individuals. Your comments are petty and selfish and I have reported them.[/p][/quote]You need to grow up and accept that because we live in a democracy we have the right to hold a different opinion. I personally think that defacing and littering a local land mark is pathetic and not the way to get your point across. And where in this article does it say that they are students on a NCS programme? In what way will this prepare students to make a positive contribution to OUR society? If the college have endorsed this kind of behaviour then they should be reported to the relevant education authorities. If you don't like my opinion that's just tough, think yourself lucky you don't live in North Korea where you'd be arrested if you had an opinion. George White Bread

8:54pm Wed 5 Dec 12

George White Bread says...

Didn't think you'd have a response to that.
Didn't think you'd have a response to that. George White Bread

12:37pm Thu 6 Dec 12

Robertoooo says...

George White Bread wrote:
Didn't think you'd have a response to that.
Exactly... Your sat waiting no doubt excitedly for a response which sums up both you and negative, idle trolls everywhere. Thanks for your opinion (honestly) now here are the facts. Beth and all the participants minus the staff are students who voluntarily give up their free time to do NCS and help with projects which in turn give them confidence and builds their character working together. Many of the kids in the group couldn't make it due to work and many work midweek at night. Some have disabilities which means NCS is amazing for them to take part in. "Pathetic" I know. Laughable. Crusty bunch of unemployed tree huggers who need to work is close though! Unlucky. For the record we didn't litter or deface like your insinuating we merely held material in place then took it back down the hill with us. I'll come back to this post in a year and I bet not many, if any agree with you. To be fair the Pendle Witches may agree with you out of spite that we used their land. Also we all had fun thanks for asking! Rob (Helenas partner in "crime")
[quote][p][bold]George White Bread[/bold] wrote: Didn't think you'd have a response to that.[/p][/quote]Exactly... Your sat waiting no doubt excitedly for a response which sums up both you and negative, idle trolls everywhere. Thanks for your opinion (honestly) now here are the facts. Beth and all the participants minus the staff are students who voluntarily give up their free time to do NCS and help with projects which in turn give them confidence and builds their character working together. Many of the kids in the group couldn't make it due to work and many work midweek at night. Some have disabilities which means NCS is amazing for them to take part in. "Pathetic" I know. Laughable. Crusty bunch of unemployed tree huggers who need to work is close though! Unlucky. For the record we didn't litter or deface like your insinuating we merely held material in place then took it back down the hill with us. I'll come back to this post in a year and I bet not many, if any agree with you. To be fair the Pendle Witches may agree with you out of spite that we used their land. Also we all had fun thanks for asking! Rob (Helenas partner in "crime") Robertoooo

6:59pm Thu 6 Dec 12

Legal Beagle says...

Robertoooo wrote:
George White Bread wrote:
Didn't think you'd have a response to that.
Exactly... Your sat waiting no doubt excitedly for a response which sums up both you and negative, idle trolls everywhere. Thanks for your opinion (honestly) now here are the facts. Beth and all the participants minus the staff are students who voluntarily give up their free time to do NCS and help with projects which in turn give them confidence and builds their character working together. Many of the kids in the group couldn't make it due to work and many work midweek at night. Some have disabilities which means NCS is amazing for them to take part in. "Pathetic" I know. Laughable. Crusty bunch of unemployed tree huggers who need to work is close though! Unlucky. For the record we didn't litter or deface like your insinuating we merely held material in place then took it back down the hill with us. I'll come back to this post in a year and I bet not many, if any agree with you. To be fair the Pendle Witches may agree with you out of spite that we used their land. Also we all had fun thanks for asking! Rob (Helenas partner in "crime")
George White Bread doesn't seem to have a response to that - I wonder why?
[quote][p][bold]Robertoooo[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]George White Bread[/bold] wrote: Didn't think you'd have a response to that.[/p][/quote]Exactly... Your sat waiting no doubt excitedly for a response which sums up both you and negative, idle trolls everywhere. Thanks for your opinion (honestly) now here are the facts. Beth and all the participants minus the staff are students who voluntarily give up their free time to do NCS and help with projects which in turn give them confidence and builds their character working together. Many of the kids in the group couldn't make it due to work and many work midweek at night. Some have disabilities which means NCS is amazing for them to take part in. "Pathetic" I know. Laughable. Crusty bunch of unemployed tree huggers who need to work is close though! Unlucky. For the record we didn't litter or deface like your insinuating we merely held material in place then took it back down the hill with us. I'll come back to this post in a year and I bet not many, if any agree with you. To be fair the Pendle Witches may agree with you out of spite that we used their land. Also we all had fun thanks for asking! Rob (Helenas partner in "crime")[/p][/quote]George White Bread doesn't seem to have a response to that - I wonder why? Legal Beagle

8:54pm Thu 6 Dec 12

Rimbus says...

helenaloretta wrote:
George White Bread wrote:
“Imagine how people in Lancashire would react if their precious hill was sold without their consent, and transformed.”

Firstly the people of Lancashire don't "own" Pendle Hill so why would their consent be required should it be sold and secondly what exactly could a 1827 foot hill be transformed into? Luxury apartments maybe? A yachting Marina perhaps?
Lay off the frosty jack and the LSD and get your unwashed masses down to the job centre.
Imagine what the world would be like, if there were less abusive and cowardly people. Imagine, If there were more people that applauded dedication, commitment and effort. Imagine, if more people were kind and good-hearted and thought about people other than themselves.

These are young people that are in college and taking part in a National Citizen Service programme and took part in this scheme to give back to their community. They do not deserve to have their hard work desecrated by narrow minded individuals.

Your comments are petty and selfish and I have reported them.
Just a tip helenaloretta, when you report a post and have it taken down it kinda defeats the object of the exercise when you quote (and repost) the same quote in your own post.
[quote][p][bold]helenaloretta[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]George White Bread[/bold] wrote: “Imagine how people in Lancashire would react if their precious hill was sold without their consent, and transformed.” Firstly the people of Lancashire don't "own" Pendle Hill so why would their consent be required should it be sold and secondly what exactly could a 1827 foot hill be transformed into? Luxury apartments maybe? A yachting Marina perhaps? Lay off the frosty jack and the LSD and get your unwashed masses down to the job centre.[/p][/quote]Imagine what the world would be like, if there were less abusive and cowardly people. Imagine, If there were more people that applauded dedication, commitment and effort. Imagine, if more people were kind and good-hearted and thought about people other than themselves. These are young people that are in college and taking part in a National Citizen Service programme and took part in this scheme to give back to their community. They do not deserve to have their hard work desecrated by narrow minded individuals. Your comments are petty and selfish and I have reported them.[/p][/quote]Just a tip helenaloretta, when you report a post and have it taken down it kinda defeats the object of the exercise when you quote (and repost) the same quote in your own post. Rimbus

10:04pm Thu 6 Dec 12

George White Bread says...

Robertoooo wrote:
George White Bread wrote:
Didn't think you'd have a response to that.
Exactly... Your sat waiting no doubt excitedly for a response which sums up both you and negative, idle trolls everywhere. Thanks for your opinion (honestly) now here are the facts. Beth and all the participants minus the staff are students who voluntarily give up their free time to do NCS and help with projects which in turn give them confidence and builds their character working together. Many of the kids in the group couldn't make it due to work and many work midweek at night. Some have disabilities which means NCS is amazing for them to take part in. "Pathetic" I know. Laughable. Crusty bunch of unemployed tree huggers who need to work is close though! Unlucky. For the record we didn't litter or deface like your insinuating we merely held material in place then took it back down the hill with us. I'll come back to this post in a year and I bet not many, if any agree with you. To be fair the Pendle Witches may agree with you out of spite that we used their land. Also we all had fun thanks for asking! Rob (Helenas partner in "crime")
Well if you're (that's the correct terminology used when combining the words you and are) trying to stimulate problem youths and promote confidence I can't really see what dragging them up a hill carrying a load of tat trying to promote a bizarre cause will achieve. If you're going to give them a cause to champion then there are plenty of problems and issues locally to focus upon.

But if thats what you guys do then hey, whatever floats your boat my friend!

And that's just my opinion, and having an opinion doesn't make me a "troll", all too often people who simply don't like the opinions of others are all too quick to label them an Internet troll. I pretty sure most people don't even know what that term means. Because we live in a democratic society I am
actually allowed to have an opinion if you could pass that on to your crime partner and good mate Helenass!

All the best.
[quote][p][bold]Robertoooo[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]George White Bread[/bold] wrote: Didn't think you'd have a response to that.[/p][/quote]Exactly... Your sat waiting no doubt excitedly for a response which sums up both you and negative, idle trolls everywhere. Thanks for your opinion (honestly) now here are the facts. Beth and all the participants minus the staff are students who voluntarily give up their free time to do NCS and help with projects which in turn give them confidence and builds their character working together. Many of the kids in the group couldn't make it due to work and many work midweek at night. Some have disabilities which means NCS is amazing for them to take part in. "Pathetic" I know. Laughable. Crusty bunch of unemployed tree huggers who need to work is close though! Unlucky. For the record we didn't litter or deface like your insinuating we merely held material in place then took it back down the hill with us. I'll come back to this post in a year and I bet not many, if any agree with you. To be fair the Pendle Witches may agree with you out of spite that we used their land. Also we all had fun thanks for asking! Rob (Helenas partner in "crime")[/p][/quote]Well if you're (that's the correct terminology used when combining the words you and are) trying to stimulate problem youths and promote confidence I can't really see what dragging them up a hill carrying a load of tat trying to promote a bizarre cause will achieve. If you're going to give them a cause to champion then there are plenty of problems and issues locally to focus upon. But if thats what you guys do then hey, whatever floats your boat my friend! And that's just my opinion, and having an opinion doesn't make me a "troll", all too often people who simply don't like the opinions of others are all too quick to label them an Internet troll. I pretty sure most people don't even know what that term means. Because we live in a democratic society I am actually allowed to have an opinion if you could pass that on to your crime partner and good mate Helenass! All the best. George White Bread

10:07pm Thu 6 Dec 12

George White Bread says...

Legal Beagle wrote:
Robertoooo wrote:
George White Bread wrote:
Didn't think you'd have a response to that.
Exactly... Your sat waiting no doubt excitedly for a response which sums up both you and negative, idle trolls everywhere. Thanks for your opinion (honestly) now here are the facts. Beth and all the participants minus the staff are students who voluntarily give up their free time to do NCS and help with projects which in turn give them confidence and builds their character working together. Many of the kids in the group couldn't make it due to work and many work midweek at night. Some have disabilities which means NCS is amazing for them to take part in. "Pathetic" I know. Laughable. Crusty bunch of unemployed tree huggers who need to work is close though! Unlucky. For the record we didn't litter or deface like your insinuating we merely held material in place then took it back down the hill with us. I'll come back to this post in a year and I bet not many, if any agree with you. To be fair the Pendle Witches may agree with you out of spite that we used their land. Also we all had fun thanks for asking! Rob (Helenas partner in "crime")
George White Bread doesn't seem to have a response to that - I wonder why?
See reply to Bobs post chump.
[quote][p][bold]Legal Beagle[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Robertoooo[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]George White Bread[/bold] wrote: Didn't think you'd have a response to that.[/p][/quote]Exactly... Your sat waiting no doubt excitedly for a response which sums up both you and negative, idle trolls everywhere. Thanks for your opinion (honestly) now here are the facts. Beth and all the participants minus the staff are students who voluntarily give up their free time to do NCS and help with projects which in turn give them confidence and builds their character working together. Many of the kids in the group couldn't make it due to work and many work midweek at night. Some have disabilities which means NCS is amazing for them to take part in. "Pathetic" I know. Laughable. Crusty bunch of unemployed tree huggers who need to work is close though! Unlucky. For the record we didn't litter or deface like your insinuating we merely held material in place then took it back down the hill with us. I'll come back to this post in a year and I bet not many, if any agree with you. To be fair the Pendle Witches may agree with you out of spite that we used their land. Also we all had fun thanks for asking! Rob (Helenas partner in "crime")[/p][/quote]George White Bread doesn't seem to have a response to that - I wonder why?[/p][/quote]See reply to Bobs post chump. George White Bread

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