News / Yew Tree Farm
Dozens of protesters form human chain at Yew Tree Farm
Not so long ago, Catherine Withers of Yew Tree Farm was a lone voice in calling for Bristol’s last working farm to be saved from developers eyeing up its land for housing.
But on Saturday afternoon, she was joined by dozens of people who formed a human chain in front of an ancient hedgerow that has become central to the battleground to save this land in Bedminster Down.
“I’m here just looking after this farm for the next generations and for the future of Bristol,” Withers told Bristol24/7.
is needed now More than ever
Protesters formed a human chain in front of the under-threat hedgerow – photo: Yew Tree Farm
Withers added: “To see that other people care just means so much. They didn’t need to come today. For this turnout, I’m speechless, but it shows that people do care.
“We have people here from every walk of life, every political persuasion, who realise that we are being treated very poorly indeed.
“We are here to stand up for fairness and democracy, and this is what that means in practise, people actually turning up, showing up, trying to change how things are, and trying to protect nature and wildlife, and amazingly good farming practises like we’re trying to put in here.
“Who wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by this support? I don’t feel I walk alone anymore in my pursual of trying to get justice for us.”
Politicians from all four main parties – including cabinet members Helen Holland and Nicola Beech – were among the protesters, who walked from the farm to the hedgerow which they stood in front of in a symbolic display of defiance.
The demonstration came less than a month after a decision that allows the removal of a hedgerow because Bristol City Council officers did not respond in time to save it.
Part of the ancient hedgerow close to Bridgwater Road could be removed in order to build a gate set to be part of a new access road to fields that could then have houses built on them.
In April, there was a stand-off after the owner of the land sent contractors to cut a 12-metre wide gap in the hedge.
Politicians from all four main parties with Catherine Withers at Yew Tree Farm – photo: Yew Tree Farm
Marvin Rees took the unprecedented step of publicly lambasting the council’s own staff following the decision to allow a gap to be made in the hedge.
On the same day the decision was made, Rees said he wants to “ensure that the appropriate level of ecological due diligence is undertaken and that officers work with the landowner to mitigate the damage of any future action”.
This pledge by the mayor is not enough for Withers and her supporters, however, who hope that people power will help save Bristol’s last working farm.
Dozens of people helped form the human chain – photo: Yew Tree Farm
Main photo: Yew Tree Farm; video: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Farmer blames council ‘incompetence’ for latest threat to livelihood
- In Their Own Words: Catherine Withers
- Has a new insect been discovered in south Bristol?
Listen to Yew Tree Farm’s Catherine Withers on episode 71 of the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
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