Clive reports on activities at the farm (10 July, 20:00)
There are 10 - 15 hard-core supporters camping out at the farm. They will remain there all night.
Constant vigil has been kept at the farm since the screening of the video by Carte Blanche, and nothing has detered our supporters' enthusiams and dedication - not even the smelly stuff scattered around the toilet areas by the workers on the farm! (personal note: I know where I would scatter the toilet contents!)
Please take extra special care at the protest tomorrow (and all other protests) not to scare and disturb the animals on the farm. There is an electrified fence around the farm. Noise can disturb the animals and cause buck to stampede and run into the fences and electricute and seriously injure themselves.
Clive wants to express his very special thanks to a few people:
Our special thanks to the many others who gave support too many to mention but a few names that must be recorded are:
Dulcie Rausch (She is nearly 65-I'm sure she does nit mind) for her protest support at the "chamber of horrors" EVERY day last week, obtaining written permission from every necessary authority (police, traffic, Hartbeespoort council, Brits Chief Magistrate, NW Eastern services etc),painting and placing of huge signs along the road to the "farm", and her tireless work all round.
Sherryn Thompson - for all the contact info, arranging and supervising the grass cutting in front of the farm at her own expense and with her own resources, arranging and paying for the Security Guards to watch the farm workers did not damage the portable toilets AND the overnight protestors on Saturday night.
Bridgette,Juanita & Penny -for drumming up support and publicity for the Sunday protest (although I could have cursed them for diverting their cell numbers to mine when their mail boxes got full - joke girls!!) arranging and paying for the toilets, protest placards from Waltons, Vodaphones for other helpers.
NSPCA Monitors - the 2 who would like to remain anonymous (maybe they will get into trouble with Rick Allan !), for keeping us regularly informed of what was happening inside throughout the week.
Jacqui Scarth - for her daily presence if only for a short while and getting the petition going on site - with the aid of son and hubby.
Lee-Ann Hopwood - for feeding back news as it was breaking to us "in the bush", and her constant telephonic support, emails to the world and continual encouragement particularly in the early days of the protest when for long periods it was just Les and me.
Sandy Francis & Family - for being at the protest for extended periods last week and camping overnight on Saturday with Chris Norton and friends who came down especially from Botswana.
Steve Bonner and sons - for arranging and supervising marshalling teams at the protest.
Irene Webb - for being there regularly throughout the week.
Debbie from Durban - who filled the same role as Lee-Ann but from Durban and organized the Sunday Durban demo.
All The Others - who are too numerous to mention by name and we hope you will accept our apologies but your support and encouragement was just as valuable.
Ilze Van Wyk - you are amazing !!!! The site is fantastic. Keep up the excellent work we know it takes a lot of time.
Last but not least - Lesley - she is the one who got me worked up and is just like our Yorkshire Terrier, once she gets her teeth into something she just won't let go - she's sleeping right now after spending most of the day on the phone with follow ups and arranging the next steps.
Finally - tks to Jeremy Mansfield, one of the few high profile "celebs" to make a stand and be visible. Also to Gareth Patterson for offering his ongoing services and advice.
Finally, finally- Barbara Nash (NSPCA) phoned me today and on behalf of the Directors and Staff thanked all of us "too numerous to mention" for the fantastic job we have done and "to keep up the pressure". Normally this would be done by letter but due to the overwhelming response and the number people involved this is just not possible at this time, but a BIG thank you to all !!!