Landfill protesters join in Highwoods group's 30th birthday

The Highwoods Preservation Society, formed in 1980, celebrated its anniversary on Saturday, and was joined for the occasion by members of protest group Bexhill Against Landfill and Incineration (BALI).

"We got a raft of new members," said Alan Malpass, HPS president, "which was one main purpose of the day.

"And a lot of people were surprised to hear we had been looking after the woods for the last 30 years.

"I cannot imagine that when they started they had any idea we would go on this long."

Alan endorsed the work done by BALI to raise awareness of the threat of a new landfill site in the brickworks neighbouring Highwoods.

Iva Barnes, committee member of BALI, was part of a team attending the anniversary to hand out leaflets and drum up support for their fight.

"The thought there could be a landfill site literally just over the road is almost too monstrous to contemplate," she said.

"The resultant decimation of ancient woodland, to say nothing of all the birds and animals would destroy this wonderful part of Bexhill which is open to everyone."

An East Sussex County Council spokesman said, "We are currently investigating the points that people have raised during the recent consultation on the Waste and Minerals Core Strategy, the successor to our current Waste Local Plan.

"Once this work is complete we will be able to confirm the next steps of the process, which will include further consultation and technical assessments."

'¢ Places remain on a coach trip organised by BALI to protest outside Westminster on July 11. Anyone interested should contact either Judy Murray (220109) or Iva Barnes (221872).