MINORCA  IN THE NEWS:  PART l  FROM AUGUST 2008 TO JUNE 2009

This recently compiled (but incomplete) list of local newstories gives some idea of how MOPG has kept interest

in our campaign going. You should note that MOPG was not formed until 25/10/09

Date of publication of Newspaper Stories to do with UK Coal’s plans for Minorca and reactions to it. At the time of reviewing the availability of these stories (November 2009) the links to the newspaper web sites were still active)

‘MP: I’ll fight Opencast Plans ‘ – BURTON MAIL 11/8/08. See:

   http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=338754         

‘Mixed reaction to Opencast Scheme’ – BURTON MAIL 13/8/08  See:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=339285

‘Opencasting does nothing for jobs and environment – BURTON MAIL (LETTER) 3/9/08. See:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..6&y=12

‘Villagers form group to fight open-cast mine – LEICESTER MERCURY 24/9/08

‘Opencast plan is criticised by Residents’ – BURTON MAIL 29/9/08. See:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=357125

‘Residents horrified over open cast plan’ – ASHBY TIMES 3/19/09

‘Residents urged to join Opencast Protest’- BURTON MAIL 7/10/08. See

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=355517

‘Residents prepared to do battle over opencast’ – ASHBY TIMES, 10/10/08

‘Coal firm attacked over mining plan’ – BURTON MAIL 13/10/08, See:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=357125

‘Battle begins over ‘Monster’ Opencast Mine’ – BURTON MAIL 25/10/08. See:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=361098

‘The Price of Progress’ (letter by Gerald Box)-ASHBY TIMES 21/11/08

‘Let us be clear about the ‘disturbance’ (letter by Steve Leary in answer to Gerald Box’s letter) 28/11/08

‘Opponents are not convinced by mine hosts’ – BURTON MAIL 13/11/09. See:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=366026

‘Let us be clear about the disturbance’ (Letter) – ASHBY TIMES, 26/11/08

‘It appears he is in favour of devastation’ (Letter)- ASHBY TIMES, 2/1/09 (Letter by Phil Owen in answer to two Gerald Box letters)

‘Mining application may be in February’ – BURTON MAIL 5/1/09. See:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=378387

‘Health warning as opencasting looms’- BURTON MAIL, 20/1/09

‘Property prices hit by opencast? – ASHBY TIMES, 30/1/09

‘More opencasts on the way- fear’- BURTON MAIL 12/3/09. See;

 http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=399035  

‘Eco Soundings- Measham Villagers fight coal mine’ –THE GUARDIAN 17/3/09. See:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/envi…..ne-protest

‘Coal mining bid is submitted’- ASHBY TRADER AND ECHO 26/3/09

‘New opencast plan a ‘black cloud hanging over the village’- BURTON MAIL 26/3/09. See;

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=402913

 ‘Coal delay is slammed’ – BURTON MAIL 16/4/2009. See:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=408653

Anger at mining plan ’delay’- LEICESTER MERCURY 17/4/09

‘Angry residents say stop using delaying tactics – ASHBY TIMES 17/4/09

‘Local group fights plans for an opencast mine in the ‘Heart of the forest’…. – VILLAGE LIFE,  May 2009

‘Candidates face quiz over opencast scheme’ – BURTON MAIL 13/5/09. See:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=416424

‘500 metre buffer zone called for’ –ASHBY TIMES 15/5/09

‘Ask them where they stand on Opencast Coal – BURTON MAIL (LETTER) 19/5/09. See:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=418017

‘Politicians urged to back mining buffer’ –LEICESTER MERCURY 20/5/09

‘Changing local mining planning policy is an electoral issue’ –LEICESTER MERCURY (LETTER) 20/5/09). See:

http://www.thisisleicestershir…..ticle.html

‘Give careful consideration to candidates standing for election’- ASHBY TIMES (LETTER) 22/5/09

‘Opencast protest goes to election candidates’- BURTON MAIL 27/5/09 (on Burton Mail web site)

‘Web site for protest group’ – ASHBY TIMES 29/5/09

‘Mining plan casts big shadow over houses’ – ASHBY TRADER AND ECHO 3/6/09

‘Campaigners’ fears over opencast plan’ BURTON MAIL 3/6/09. See:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/bu…..?id=420164

‘Campaign start for buffer zone hailed a success’, – ASHBY TIMES5/6/09

‘Opencast Mine ‘is too big’’. – LEICESTER MERCURY 18/6/09

‘Campaign start for buffer zone hailed a success’- ASHBY TIMES 5/6/09

This is an incomplete record of newspaper coverage so far. If anyone has kept press cuttings could they please let me have the headline, newspaper and date the story / letter appeared in. I will try to update this from time to time.

2^nd edition November 2009                              Steve Leary