¡No Pasarán!

The coach I travelled in was 'assigned' to blocking vehicular traffic to the BNP camp at one end of Codnor Denby Lane - all 'local' vehicles were allowed through.

There were approximately 200 people representing a teachers union, Unison, the journalists union, Chesterfield Trades Council and some local people from the area of the camp - shock horror! some wore piercings and tattoos!

Alongside us the church on the corner of the junction held a multidenominational prayer service throughout with clergy from other local churches and offered us the use of their facilities - the toilet was met with particular gratitude.

Although there was a very large police presence (some chatted with us) the atmosphere was generally good natured with singing and chanting although two individuals wearing half race masks were questioned about their identity.
There were also present a number of easy visably identifiable 'legal observers' who attended these 'ad hoc' pavement interviews and searches

At no time were any batons even removed and, although the one occasion the horses were used to make room for police reinforcement vans to pass through was very intimidating - this too passed without any 'incident'.

I understand that after the main protest dispersed having reached the entrance to the camp site some people remained behind in an attempt to access the site and some of these were subsequently arrested.

It was nice to finally bump into Fred on the way back to the coach.