We arrived just outside Witney, Oxfordshire at around 9.30am where we met up with Cynthia O’Neil, a local woman, who despite ill health and disability has campaigned passionately against Hillgrove Farm. After breakfasting at local services we headed into Witney to meet up with other demonstrators at Leys recreation ground. On the way we had to negotiate the police blocks who were stopping all protesters. The minibus and all those on it were searched, their bags searched and names etc taken. For the most part the police tried to be pleasant but there was no escaping the sinister overtones of a police surveillance helicopter buzzing overhead and a police officer in full riot gear videoing our every move and videoing the minibus including the number plate.
We were amongst the first protesters to reach the recreation ground, but others were not so lucky. The delay tactics used by the police prevented the rally beginning by more than an hour, as speakers were put back to allow the coaches and buses held back at the search point to get through. When the speakers finally started we were all much inspired by the sometimes simple, but very human and compassionate words of people such as Dr Vernon Coleman, Celia Hammond and Robin Webb (despite the deliberate attempts of the helicopter to drown out many of the speakers!). It was also very heartening to see the number of people assembled at Leys who had all came for the same reason - to see Hillgrove Farm closed down! At around 2pm all the protesters headed off through Witney to Hillgrove Farm. About a quarter of a mile from the farm itself we were stopped by a police blockade. This we were informed was to protect us from any harm. Exactly what harm they envisaged befalling us was never made clear! Many of the protesters were outraged that we could not go and protest outside Hillgrove Farm - we are after all supposed to live in a democracy where people are allowed to peacefully protest against injustice are we not? The media the next day portrayed the mood of the people at the blockade as tense and volatile but we were there and this was not the case. People were disappointed yes, some were angry and frustrated to be so near to a place that caused so much unnecessary suffering to innocent animals, small vulnerable kittens who have no understanding of just how evil a world they have been born into. What crime had they committed? I noticed a few people moved to tears to be stopped. I saw many people make impassioned pleas to the police to be allowed through to exercise their right to demonstrate - they were turned away. The only hostility I witnessed was the hostility of the police, who clamped down on any attempt by the protesters to make their way to Hillgrove Farm.
Despite the disappointment of not being allowed to demonstrate outside Hillgrove Farm we all travelled back to Scotland optimistic. The warmth and enthusiasm of all the people we met who were delighted that we had travelled so far to support them filled us all I hope with a desire to keep up the campaign and go to as many demonstrations against Hillgrove Farm as we possibly can. It was a long and uncomfortable journey in what was agreed as the ‘minibus from hell’ but it was a sobering thought that despite the discomfort for all of us it was only temporary and of short duration but for the Hillgrove cats their suffering will only end with their death.
For further information about Hillgrove and details of future demonstrations, get in touch with Edinburgh Animal Rights (see contacts).