[Visuals courtesy of Richard Lucking]
Bath should be proud of itself.
I have never seen anything like it.
The city led the way in highlighting just how much damage we are doing to the natural world.
The UK is now one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.
According to the organisers of this mass event, “around the world, biodiversity is being annihilated at a terrifying rate….. In spite of promises from governments, biodiversity loss shows no signs of slowing. The future of our planet is at stake”.
The mock Funeral for Nature brought out the biggest ever showing of the ‘Red Rebels’ activist group ever seen in this country – with many local people dressing in the striking red outfits – scores more were following nature’s mock coffin as mourners.
I had to go to Bristol for a friend’s birthday but managed to get back in time to see the huge procession heading down Milsom Street, towards Bath Abbey, where environmental activist and tv presenter Chris Packham was going to deliver an eulogy.
The procession was timed to also raise awareness of Earth Day on Monday and included drummers playing a solemn funeral beat.
At the centre of the procession was a funeral bier made of willow. On it lay a sculpted representation of nature by local artist Anna Gillespie. It had been decorated with natural foliage and flowers by landscape gardener Dan Pearson.
I am so grateful for the photographic skills of Richard Lucking in providing most of this visual material.
My only contribution is footage from around the town end of Milsom Street.
Please look through the material which includes part of Chris Packham’s eulogy outside the Abbey. I also managed to grab a comment from the originator of this event, local architect Rob Delius.
I am angry to report that – this Sunday morning – l have only seen regional reports on this from the BBC and ITV – and nothing from Sky News. Have any of the Sunday papers given it a mention?
Just listened to Chris Stark of the CCC – he said that climate activists are actually setting back the progress this country was making towards net zero by alienating great swathes of the UK population. He reminded Kuennsberg that TRANSITION relies on popular support, and most people don’t accept the activists message of, for instance, Just Stop Oil. They understand it will actually harm their, and their children’s future by ruining our economy. He is clearly a pragmatist, and I’m sorry he has stepped down.
As for the ‘Ladies in Red’ entertainment yesterday – that was just the kind of distraction that is derailing our progress towards Net Zero. A good intention, sure, but one that is paving the road to Hell rather than renewable heaven. We all enjoyed their thespian antics, brightening up our Liveable Neighbourhood gloom. But really, isn’t it just confirming Climate Change is an act, an act to salve the consciences of activists by convincing themselves they’re doing something positive towards the cause. As Stark said, progress requires popular support and their antics are wrecking that potential support across the country.
And please don’t get me started on Chris Packham and his pipe dream of seagulls on every roof.
The Red Rebels came from all over the country, a few even from abroad. Most were new, augmenting the existing cohort. They spent weeks creating the similar costume and attended training sessions.