ANTI FRACKING CAMPAIGNERS SHUT SWINTON CIVIC CENTRE

Salford Council's Civic Centre in Swinton was dramatically shut down this afternoon as five anti-fracking campaigners from the Barton Moss Protection Camp locked on in the reception area.

The campaigners' action was against Government attempts to bribe Salford Council to allow fracking in the city.

IT'S A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH AS SALFORD MAYOR PROPOSING TO SLASH HOUSING, DEBT AND WELFARE SERVICES

"I can say with candid honesty that they saved my life…" Tom

While Salford Mayor Ian Stewart writes to the Prime Minister about Salford residents `at breaking point', Salford Council is proposing to slash life saving services with the loss, we understand, of 27 jobs in Housing Advice and Welfare Rights and Debt Advice.

The residents who are `at breaking point' give their own verdict on the Mayor's proposals… "absolutely tragic"… "beyond disgusting…ignorant"…

PUBLIC INQUIRY PETITION DRAWS ALMOST 1000 SIGNATURES IN LESS THAN A DAY 

A call for a judge-led Public Inquiry into the way that Greater Manchester Police has acted at the Barton Moss Community Protection Camp has drawn almost 1,000 signatures in less than a day.

The petition on the official Government website follows over one hundred arrests of anti-fracking campaigners at the IGas exploratory drilling site at Barton Moss. The Salford Star is backing the call for a Public Inquiry.

SALFORD AT CENTRE OF FRACKING INFO WAR

Film: Gasland 2,
Friends Meeting House, Eccles tonight, 28th, 7:30pm
Talk and Film: Frack Free Irlam and Cadishead
Nags Head pub, Wed 29th 7pm

In an interview with Salford Star, an IGas rep said that fracking fluid "is less radioactive than mineral water". Last night, the BBC showed evidence of "levels of radium ninety times higher than naturally occurs in drinking water".

Someone ain't telling the truth, as Salford becomes not only the front line for fracking in the UK but also the front line for real information. So, will IGas debate publicly with Barton Moss protectors?

SALFORDIAN FAMILIES LOSE £1,600 EACH IN BENEFITS

The Local Government Association has revealed that Salford families are losing an average of £1,600 a year in benefits due to ConDem Government policies, while those affected by the Bedroom Tax are losing an average of £726.

Meanwhile, 33% of applicants to Salford Council for its discretionary Housing Payments Scheme are being rejected, as poverty takes an even firmer grip in the city. So let's build a new bridge, employ a new Fat Cat and underwrite the Ugly Sisters to the tune of over £4million!

SALFORD AND BEYOND SHOWS MASSIVE SUPPORT FOR BARTON MOSS CAMP

Around 1,500 people turned out today to show solidarity with the Barton Moss Community Protection Camp – almost double the number of the last rally a few weeks ago.

With one march going from Irlam and another going from Salford City Stadium, the two met up at the entrance to the Camp for a rally with speakers and music, as passing motorists again beeped their horns in support.

ANTI-FRACKING MESSAGE TO BARTON MOSS FROM KABUL AND SALFORD 

`Salam 'aleikum from Afghanistan!'

As a big rally takes place today at Barton Moss in support of anti-fracking protectors, YouTube messages are becoming an increasing feature of the campaign, with the latest coming in from Afghanistan…and Salford.

Meanwhile, a YouTube message to Salford Council from those camped out on the Civic Centre lawn has also gone on show.

WIND BEATS THE AMMIES

Warrington Town 3 Salford City 1

The howling wind aided three first half Warrington goals and, despite massive pressure after the interval, it was former Salford keeper, Josh Ollerenshaw, who kept Salford at bay, with just a late Mark Battersby goal to show for all the Ammies' effort.

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE GUILTY OF SMEARS SAY SALFORD ANTI FRACKING CAMPAIGNERS

"The smear campaign and intimidation of the camp has now heightened to levels that many thought was not possible"

The Barton Moss Community Protection Camp has answered what it calls `smears and intimidation' by Greater Manchester Police, which yesterday put out a controversial press statement accusing campaigners of all sorts of odd deeds.

The Camp has called for a massive show of solidarity this Sunday when anti-fracking campaigners from all over the country will be descending on Salford.

ANTI-FRACKING CAMPAIGNERS AND GMP IN OFFICIAL WAR OF WORDS AS ARRESTS MOUNT TO 82.

As images of Greater Manchester Police brutality against a Barton Moss campaigner in Salford were beamed live around the world this week, and as the total number of arrests at Barton Moss hit 82, Frack Free Greater Manchester and the Barton Moss Protection Camp have accused the GMP of being "out of control".

Meanwhile, this morning, GMP Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts said that the "majority of people who are arriving on the site are not there to protest against fracking but are there to disrupt and intimidate the local community and to antagonise police".

ANTI-FRACKERS AND TRADE UNIONS JOIN TO CONDEMN SALFORD COUNCIL

Around 150 people laid siege to Salford Civic Centre today as Mayor Ian Stewart got a meeting of the full council to rubber stamp approval for the appointment of a new £150,000 Fat Cat `Head of Paid Services', while announcing cuts of £24.5million and the loss of 300 jobs.

Councillors going into the meeting ran a gauntlet of trade unionists and anti-frackers shouting `Shame on you…Shame on you'…