Isle of Wight News on Ventnor Blog

Anyone who followed the Vestas occupation may be interested in this article in from Ryde Trades Union Council. Ed

Ex-Vestas Worker Politician Ian Terry of the Isle of Wight has been speaking at the fringes of the Climate Change Conference in Denmark.

One of the almost 20 speakers at the magnificent 100.000 demonstration in Copenhagen was Ian. He said, amongst other things, that the present established politicians could not be trusted and this was the experience of the Vestas occupation.

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Remember that the protesters at the Magic Roundabout, outside ex-Vestas plant in Newport, were evicted two Fridays ago – less than a week before the planning meeting where the Cheverton Down wind turbines were turned down?

Well it looks like that might have been a bit of good timing for the protesters, as they’ve now been able to take their protest up to the Capital. Pretty much bang in the middle of the Capital – Trafalgar Square.

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As we left the Vestas Roundabout (the “Magic Roundabout”), the eviction of protesters who had set up camp four months ago was almost complete.

Following the arrival of bailiffs at just before 11am, occupiers were left to hastily pack away their belongings. Sometime after midday, bailiffs got their gloves on and started removing items and placing them at the side of the road.

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On a very cold and windy morning in Newport, bailiffs have arrived at the Vestas roundabout.

After a short discussion, the occupiers informed the bailiffs that it would take several hours for them to remove all their belongings, however, the bailiffs have advised the occupiers, two of which are ex-Vestas workers that they have until noon to clear the area.

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Following the decision by the Judge at County Court on Tuesday regarding the possession order for protesters to vacate the roundabout on the St Cross Business Park in Newport (outside the Vestas wind turbine plant), we hear that an eviction notice was served on the protestors this afternoon.

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As we broke on our Twitter feed earlier, Crown Court Judge rules in favour of landlord (want to learn more about Twitter?).

As we reported yesterday, papers for a possession order were last week served on ‘persons unknown’ occupying what has become fondly known as ‘the magic roundabout’, aka the roundabout outside the Vestas plant, St Cross Business Park in Newport.

Protesters against the job losses at Vestas have been occupying the roundabout since 22 July this year.

During the occupation of the factory in July, the protestors tell us that police issued a Section 14 Order, designating the roundabout as the protest site. We understand that this was to ensure people were not obstructing the road or camped immediately next to the fencing surrounding Vestas plant.

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We heard at the weekend that the people staying on the roundabout outside the old Vestas factory received a repossession order to appear in court tomorrow (Tuesday) to evict them.

The Magic Roundabout, as it has become known, has had people staying on it since the Vestas building was first occupied during the sit-in in July.

Not only have they been living there, but they’ve constructed a kitchen and are even growing vegetables on there too.

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You might be one of those who thinks that those protesting at the Vestas’ job losses are right, or you might’ve thought that it was wrong all along.

That doesn’t matter, because what we’ve got below is a postcard that someone’s created that not only shows Photoshop mastery, but a sense of humour.

Leon Kuhn, who created this postcard for the Vestas campaign postcards, with his Ed Miliband cartoon on the front.

Should give you a giggle on a Friday evening.

To see the larger version, click on the thumbnail below.
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Two Islanders are featured on the BBC Website today with different stories of how the recession has affected them.

Jaymie Rigby, one of the Vestas Occupiers, tells of how difficult he is finding it to get work on the Island. With the lack of manufacturing opportunities, he is having to consider retraining, but is unclear as to what would skills would be beneficial.

On the other hand, David Groocock (pictured), a hotelier from Ventnor, has a different story to tell.

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As we reported earlier today, a contingent of Isle of Wight representatives made their way to Westminster today to talk to Ed Miliband about the prospect of creating more green jobs on the Isle of Wight.

Our many thanks to Newport Cllr Geoff Lumley for taking the time this evening to give us an update on how the meeting went.

Geoff has been pretty active in making sure that his voice is heard by the movers and shakers in Government, calling for action to support the Island’s social and economic regeneration following the significant job losses at Vestas Blades.

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Isle of Wight Radio News has led today with a statement from Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, David Pugh, saying it’s time for the campaigners on the roundabout outside Vestas to move on.

Speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio, he said “That campaign has ended. We haven’t been able to achieve what they want and I think it’s now time for the Island, and perhaps them, to move on as well.

“I can understand they feel passionate about it, but they’re not Islanders, the majority of these people, I don’t see what they’re trying to achieve by being there.

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Earlier today, Caroline Lucas, MEP and Leader of the Green Party made a visit to the ‘Magic Roundabout’ (as it’s become more fondly known as) outside the Vestas Blade plant in Newport.

She’d spent a couple of hours chatting to and listening to concerns of the ex-workers and campaigners, many of whom have been camped on the roundabout for several months now.

We caught up with her before she left for the mainland to have a chat about the campaign.

We started by asking Caroline what she thought about the closure of the Vestas Wind Turbine Blade plant.

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In less than two weeks time, 22 former Vestas workers will be starting a new course at Southampton City College.

The workers are among others who are signed up for a brand new course in aluminium welding, which is the first of its kind in the Solent region.

Apparently, there is a massive shortage of skilled aluminium welders in the south coast’s boat building industry, so future prospects for the pupils could be good.

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On the same day that four protesters, campaigning against the loss of jobs at Vestas by climbing cranes in Southampton Docks, are up in court in Southampton, a campaigner from Stroud in Gloucestershire appeared at Newport Magistrates Court this morning.

It’s reported in the CP this afternoon that James Beecher, who appeared in court this morning accused of causing damage with intent, denied the charges by pleading not guilty and elected for his case be heard by Crown Court trial.

When several Vestas workers protested against the loss of 600 jobs by occupying the blade plant in Newport back in July, were no sure whether they imagined they would lose their rights to redundancy pay.

Readers might remember that back in August Government Minister, Joan Ruddock, stated that “No workers should be discriminated against for standing up for their job” and that said she would help ensure that the sacked workers did receive their redundancy pay.

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The Vestas blades were this lunchtime removed from the Vestas plant in Newport and are now heading up the Medina on a barge.

We understand that all protesters acted peacefully and allowed the blades to be moved without problem.

It’s thought that there may be several more blades inside the plant so another barge is expected at the next high tide.

Photos after the jump.

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Early this morning, a large number of Police were in attendance at the riverside gate of the Vestas Blade plant in Newport.

The blockade of protesters, who have been camping on the tow path over the last few weeks, were dispersed by the Police and any unclaimed belongings bagged up and removed.

When we arrived at the site at about 8:30am, fencing was being erected by security staff along the path.

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Workers’ Liberty are today reporting that Vestas Management are attempting to take legal action to move the protest blockade at Marine Gate in Newport.

It states that “Vestas bosses had two legal documents delivered to the blockade. One is a lawyers’ letter saying that Vestas has a right of use on the land between the “marine gate” and the jetty where the blades would be loaded onto barges, and demands that workers and supporters who are camping there move on. The other is a letter from the local council saying that the council plans to move on the campers from the land – which is council land – under the laws commonly used to evict travellers.”

Read the article in full

If you’re wondering what other action is taking place around the UK today in support of the Vestas protest, then check out this list below.

A useful GoogleMap of protest locations has been created by Vicki from the Save Vestas Blog of past and current events.

* BIRMINGHAM 5-6pm, demo outside Government Office of the West Midlands, 5 St Philips Place, Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2PW, plus leafleting of local stations. Called by Campaign Against Climate Change and Birmingham TUC, tel. 07846 490 408

* CARDIFF 5-6.30pm, Nye Bevan Statue, end of Queen Street, supported by Cardiff RMT, PCS Wales, CACC, Leanne Wood AM, Climate Camp Cymru, World Development Movement, tel. Adam 07940 108146

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More news regarding the Vestas Protest, as word reaches us that the IW Labour group have been pivotal in securing a meeting between Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and the Isle of Wight Council’s leadership.

The agenda for the meeting continue discussions on the closure of the Vestas blade plant, as well as alternative renewable energy strategies for the Island and alternative employment opportunities.

Leader of the Council, David Pugh, has said that he’s keen for Newport Labour councillor Geoff Lumley to join the meeting, which is great news considering it is Geoff who has been putting pressure on Miliband to meet with the IWC since their letter to him last month.

We’ll let you know the outcome of the meeting once it’s happened.

Image: Christian Guthier

As the protest against the loss of 600 jobs at Vestas continues, today sees another National Day of Action.

All across the UK, groups and organisations are showing their support for the protest by wearing green, holding rallies and marches.

On the Island a march from Church Litten at 12.30 to County Hall is planned. The rally at County Hall will feature speakers from the RMT and many ex-Vestas workers hoping to raise further awareness for their fight to get more green jobs on the Island.

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The four people, three women and one man who yesterday occupied cranes in Dock 4 Southampton were charged this afternoon with aggravated trespass.

They were arrested yesterday evening after climbing the cranes and occupying them for seven hours in order to stop completed blades being shipped from Southampton.

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News reaches us that a ‘Pro Wind’ display will be taking place in conjunction with Friends of the Earth tomorrow in Newport.

The display will take place outside Millets and the Early Learning Centre between 11am-3pm.

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Ex-Vestas workers received a huge wave of support from the audience as well as Ed Miliband himself this afternoon when they called out from the back of the hall during his speech at the TUC Conference.

As Mr Miliband announced that a factory in the North East of England would be receiving government funding to the tune of £4.4m to make the largest offshore wind blades in the world, the workers called for support for an ‘emergency motion calling for urgent action on green jobs and climate change including continued backing for the fight to restart production at the Vestas site.’

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We’ve just been informed from onlookers at the Southampton dockside that the cranes which are being occupied by Vestas protesters are being attempted to be moved whilst campaigners are still locked to them.

We are told that Police are currently allowing the cranes to be moved.

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