I am going to take a journey. It will be, I suppose, a kind of green pilgrimage where the mind is opened and the toes bleed. This journey by the way has a name.

The Climate Rush Road Show

Succinctly put I am hitting the road with 16 feminist climate activists, two horse drawn caravans and a brand new tent. We're off to grab headlines and save the world from Climate Change. Chuck in a few celebs, some rucks with the law plus lashings and lashings of counter culture and you get the idea. Sound interesting? Good, now read on.

You'll be getting a Mac side seat as I blog the month long adventure. Transported by our wind powered carts (borrowed from a circus no less) the Road Show will stopping at environmental hot spots from London all the way to Totnes in the West Country. Schools, power plants, anarchist rallies - we'll be visiting the lot. This, after all, is the vanguard of direct action.

Sipson's up first, camping on the Green Peace 'Air Plot'. From there we'll be hitting the likes of Oxford, Stroud, Bristol and on to Devon. It's all about highlighting the issues as the world gears up for the all important Climate Conference in Copenhagen this December.

The odd celeb and politician will be turning up and I'm sure the odd policeman too. There are even rumours of a visit to Alex James' farm. Perhaps after the good batoning I deserve I shall press one of his cheeses to my face.

Now I know what you are thinking. Who are Climate Rush and why are you going away with them?

Well let's deal with the Rushers first. Climate Rush are a group of climate activists inspired by the Suffragette movement. They are dedicated with a small, full time core and do all the things you expect of activists. They chant, they climb government buildings, they get arrested. Last April four members of CR glued themselves to a statue in the Houses of Parliament. For this heinous crime they will shortly be appearing in court charged under section 134 of SOCPA. SOCPA is a rather dubious piece of legislation that requires its own blog however, you get the picture. Climate Rush are mostly female, wear Edwardian costume to echo their political heroines and like to push the law.

Their most famous member is Tamsin Omond, an individual you can read about here and in her own words here. As you can see she's got a lot of press and has acquired a lot of labels. Eco starlet, Upper Crusty. She is painted by some as a posh dilettante, by others as a Green player. What is the truth? Well come with me and the facts shall be uncovered. So far I can reveal this much. Tamsin Omond has a certain Blairish presence, she likes to stand close and let her eyes twinkle. She reminds you most of a naughty vicar, I suppose, an odd mixture of good looks and sincerity. In her company you always feel sold on something but what exactly is hard to place.

There will be others on the Road Show, a cast unfolding as we go. That redhead for instance, in the photo of the statue. That's Deborah Grayson, another of the core Rushers. She helps with planning and communications, think Campbell to Omond's Blair. She is spiky, highly intelligent and like Omond difficult to read in some essential way. Her defining characteristic is a kind of fearless confidence, personal secrets and political fire spray from her mouth unchecked. If I write down half the things she comes out with this blog will be a world wide hit.

Anyway against my better journalistic judgement I find them both depressingly likeable and, if you were wondering, sincere. Although my trust in Deborah was somewhat dented when I overheard this conversation.

Deborah Grayson: 'We need some boys for the Road Show'

Climate Rush member: 'Why? For diversity?'

Deborah Grayson: 'Well yes, but for menial tasks too.'

Which brings me to the second question. Why go? Especially when menial enslavement to a pack of crazed eco fems is a clear risk. Well I am going for two reasons. Firstly this trip is a gift for a writer. New places, driven people and most of all wonderful conflict. I wasn't joking when I said the police might turn up. I intend to sit back, bucket of mental popcorn on the go, and observe.

Secondly, and this is the romantic bit, I am tired. You see I am encrusted with cynicism and logic. At some point in my 31 years I stopped caring about things. Amazingly I think I can actually pinpoint the moment my heart fell out. It was next to a duck pond, watching a girl I loved hurl seedy hunks of Hovis.

More of that in another blog. The point is rationality has me by the throat, I see the world as a kind of free range death row and frankly it's a little dull. Maybe a fight is the only way to believe and I'm interested in that.

Also this trip will mean open ground, nature, walking in my own country. Like many young, middle class Brits I am more familiar with the mountains of Peru than the meadows of England. We will be on foot most of the 270 miles. Will being out beneath the sky, vulnerable to wind and rain and away from the numbing city life ease my crusty spirit?

Perhaps being around motivated, big eyed youth will do the trick. I hope so, I am fascinated by people who care enough to act, who even think they can change the world.

Does that sound stupid? Well if it does never mind, you can stop reading. For the rest off you darlings please, please come along. You can read my blogs every couple of days and they'll be pictures and videos of everything. The Rushers, the caravans, the baton charges. There'll be thoughts and politics, green soul and green goals. Why not come to see us off? I'll be there, crust and all.

To get involved, check this link:
...




For more information about the Greenpeace action Airplot!, check this link:
...

CLIMATE RUSH ON THE RUN 3 - 30 SEPTEMBER:
THE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS!

This September's looking pretty exciting. Check this out!

FRIDAY SEPT 4th SIPSON

9.30 for 10am PHOTOCALL AND PROCESSION from AIRPLOT LAND to PERIMETER FENCE

12noon - 4pm KIDS' ACTIVITY DAY (ALL AGES)

Help the Rushers transform the land to an olde English fete - and get involved in 'Take Back the Power'.

4pm CLIMATE RUSH hosts and ADOPT-A-RESIDENT revolutionary tea-party.


SATURDAY SEPT 5th SIPSON

11am - LONDON CHRISTIANS EXPLORE THE THIRD RUNWAY WALK

CLIMATE RUSH joins the procession.

12-4pm FESTIVAL OF COMMUNITY RESISTANCE

Residents of the Heathrow Villages will be joined by representatives from Rossport, Vestas, Fos-y-Fran, Fuel Poverty and Plane Stupid Glasgow to share stories, ideas and strategies over a picnic. Includes:

2pm PROMENADE PERFORMANCE: TAKE BACK THE POWER.

An innovative and inspiring performance, telling the stories of the local campaigns. Master of Ceremonies: John McDonnell MP.

8pm PEGGY SUE plays the CLIMATE RUSH CART

Soulful songs from the minimal folk trio, fresh from the stages of Green Man and Secret Garden Party.






SUNDAY SEPT 6th ON THE ROAD

12.30 photocall at St Mary's Church, Langley

4pm arrival in Baeconsfield


MONDAY SEPT 7th ON THE ROAD

12.30 photocall at the Environment Centre, High Wycombe


TUESDAY SEPT 8th HADDENHAM

8-9pm YOUTH SERVICE at ST MARY'S CHURCH
Led by Climate Rusher Tamsin Omond.

9-10.30pm OPEN CAMP on the village green (tbc)
Come and meet the Climate Rushettes as they begin their stay in the village.


WEDNESDAY SEPT 9th AYLESBURY

3-7pm GREEN FAYRE in KINGSBURY

Showcase of Aylesbury Vale green initiatives, including Victorian craft workshops from the County Museum, story-telling with the Climate Rush and a local food cook-off between celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Caroline Lucas MEP!

8pm FREE GIG at the HARROW PUB
Line up to include the Pale Blue Eyes, 1877 and Adam Donen and the Drought.


Thurs Sept 10th HADDENHAM

3.30-5.30pm KIDS' ACTIVITY DAY (ALL AGES)
Join us at the camp (provisionally the green outside St Mary's church) to make banners and bunting, and bring your plain clothes to screen-print with our beautiful designs.

7-10pm WHAT'S COPENHAGEN ALL ABOUT? The Lounge in the Red Lion

Creative discussion about the COP 15 Climate Talks, combined with a banner-making workshop.


FRIDAY SEPT 11th ON THE ROAD

11am photocall in Thame, details tbc


SATURDAY SEPT 12th OXFORD

1pm PICNIC AT DEPARTURES at OXFORD AIRPORT

Join us as we protest against the proposed airport expansion in style. To include an interactive audience-participation rendition of David Mackay's 'Sustainable Energy: Without Hot Air'.

8pm CLIMATE CHANGE IS NO JOKE at the BARRACKS COMMUNITY GARDENS

Climate Change Improvised Comedy, Jo Smith from the OU and all manner of mish-mashed entertainment/deeply serious factual climate change stuff.


SUNDAY SEPT 13th OXFORD

12-4pm STREET ENTERTAINMENT on CORNMARKET

Climate Rush gives Oxford's Sunday shoppers an unexpected welcome.

7pm WAKE UP WIND DOWN DINNER PARTY, venue tbc

Interactive eating experience.

9pm ENTERTAINMENT, venue tbc

Various, to include '6 Degrees: The Opera' with Mark Lynas


MONDAY SEPT 14th THURSDAY SEPT 17th ON THE ROAD (details tbc)


FRIDAY SEPT 18th STROUD

8pmEVENT at TOWER HOUSE

Talks, film screenings, debate and gig, all wrapped into one.

SATURDAY SEPT 19th STROUD AND BEYOND

9am–3pm CLIMATE RUSH STALL at the FARMER'S MARKET

Workshops, talks, fun and games.


MONDAY SEPT 21st BRISTOL

9am-pm STREET ART at STOKES CROFT

Join CLIMATE RUSH as we make a permanent mark on the city. We've got a 58 foot by 8 foot wall to decorate with revolutionary art - and we want your help! Call 07878535968 to get involved...

1pm ANTI-AIRPORT EXPANSION PICNIC on COLLEGE GREEN

Friends of the Earth and City Council join us to discuss BIA and celebrate the council's formal objection to expansion. With music from Louis Barrabas.

5pm: CRITICAL RUSH (A CRITICAL MASS STYLE RIDE) – meet at the Hippodrome

Bring your bike, or join us on foot at 18:15 on Corn St to march to our top-secret location for a mass game of Capture the Flag...

8pm FREE GIG at HAMILTON HOUSE

Folk and acoustic before 10, then we'll speed it up and turn it up 'til midnight.


TUES 22nd – WEDS 23rd ON THE ROAD
(details tbc)


THURS SEPT 24th TAUNTON

8pm SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS FORUM venue tbc

Residents, local business and Transition Town Taunton will debate the meaning of sustainability with representatives from Project Taunton.


FRIDAY SEPT 25th ON THE ROAD
(details tbc)


SATURDAY SEPT 26th EXETER

8pm GIG details tbc


SUNDAY SEPT 27th EXETER

10-4PM Local residents and town and district councillors are invited to our camp at WEST TOWN FARM to discuss Devon's future as the UK's 'greenest county'.


WEDNESDAY SEPT 30th TOTNES

8pm GIG details tbc

Mama Skank come down all the way from London to finish off the tour with their lively jazz-infused ska.