MARCH

At last we were off – marching up Piccadilly for Liberty and Livelihood – marching for Britain’s rural future. It intensely felt the right thing to do. Londoners on the pavements and balconies waved and cheered.

The first time “the rumble” happened I was unsure what it was. From right at the back of the queue, which by then was far away in Hyde Park, this Mexican wave of noise came closer, the horns, the whistles, the pipes, the halloos, the barking engulfed us, and we passed the message on in like fashion. It truly stirred the blood.

Human tidal wave

Just as we entered Whitehall the Livelihood March, another huge human tidal wave, joined from Whitehall Place. The noise was immense. And then we were in the Counting Zone, a screen above the crowd displaying the total figure. To a huge cheer it clicked to 325,000. It was 3.50pm and there were still tens of thousands behind us.

I had deliberately worn a locket given me for my 21st Birthday by my farming and fox (rat, mole, rabbit and mouse) hunting Father, who “went to ground” in 1986. I grabbed it and the tears ran as I muttered “you’ve done it Dad, you’re here and you’ve done it!” I looked at his grandchildren with his eyes – it was for them, their future.

Some “antis” made it clear what they thought of “murdering scum”. It was good to get a close look at these couple of dozen who were listened to by our Government with more than 407,791 country people with a different view. Strange thing “democracy”!

History makers

The opportunity to make history is rare. Every one of the 407,791 people who marched in London did so. When New Zealand’s farmers marched in 1986, their leader Peter Elworthy told them “we cannot guarantee politicians will listen, but we can guarantee the Government will ignore us if we don’t protest”.

The March was a fantastic success, emphasising the strength of feeling, of betrayal and mistrust of the Government. We had marched with passion, for justice, and we HAD made our point. But would it make any difference?

Two decades later rural businesses and communities face huge challenges. Political decision-makers still fail to demonstrate a proper understanding of how rural Britain needs to operate. Farming is the heartbeat that created and sustains our beautiful countryside, while producing food to feed increasing millions of hungry mouths. Is anybody listening…..?