VIDEO: Farmer dishes the dirt on celebrity fracking protest

Nanny McPhee dropped in to bring a little film star magic to help anti-frackers with their campaign on the Fylde.
Actor Emma Thompson and her sister Sophie take direct peaceful action against the government's plans for fracking.Actor Emma Thompson and her sister Sophie take direct peaceful action against the government's plans for fracking.
Actor Emma Thompson and her sister Sophie take direct peaceful action against the government's plans for fracking.

Emma, who has been a Greenpeace member since she was 16, said she was inspired by the fight put up by the Nannas and the other local campaign groups against the Government and industry which supports fracking.

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Emma and Sophie, who won the 2014 Celebrity MasterChef BBC TV competition, were filmed by Greenpeace members baking cakes in a mock Great British Bake-off.

Actor Emma Thompson and her sister Sophie take direct peaceful action against the government's plans for fracking.Actor Emma Thompson and her sister Sophie take direct peaceful action against the government's plans for fracking.
Actor Emma Thompson and her sister Sophie take direct peaceful action against the government's plans for fracking.

The drill site, leased by fracking firm Cuadrilla from the local farmer, was transformed by Greenpeace volunteers into a film studio inspired by the popular BBC show, complete with white marquee, vintage utensils, bunting and wood and solar powered kitchens.

Emma said: “The Lancashire Nannas and other groups have fought so bravely against big business. We wanted to come along and support them.

“I went ballistic when I found that David Cameron came back from the Paris global warming conference having agreed to cut carbon emissions and then right away okayed 200 new fracking licences. On the one hand, he was saying the world should cut fossil fuels, and on the other he was preparing to start a new fossil fuel industry.

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“The Government has removed support for solar power and has virtually called a halt to onshore wind energy schemes, but is pushing this dirty fossil fuel industry.

“It is disgusting, hypocritical and an example of how the Government is hand in glove with big corporations.

“The danger is that all of the efforts of these magnificent Nannas and the residents to fight this industry may be ignored by national government. It is undemocratic, especially having been told by the Government and Greg Clark that decisions should be made on issues locally.”

Lancashire Nanas campaigner Tina Rothery said: “It is wonderful to have ‘Nanna McPhee’ – Emma, and Nanna Sophie here with us today.

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“People might asked why they are up here in Lancashire but it shows that clean air, water and global warming are issue that effect everyone, from the man sleeping rough in the street to the celebrities.”

Actor Emma Thompson and her sister Sophie take direct peaceful action against the government's plans for fracking.Actor Emma Thompson and her sister Sophie take direct peaceful action against the government's plans for fracking.
Actor Emma Thompson and her sister Sophie take direct peaceful action against the government's plans for fracking.

However, the visit was condemned by pro-fracking group the North West Energy Task Force. Member Tony Raynor, from Lytham said: “I won’t be lectured by a London-based celebrity and multimillionaire, especially when lots of local jobs and much-needed investment in Lancashire are at stake.” And a farmer was also spotted spraying muck on the fields close to the bake off (Video courtesy of Andy Ball and Rock FM).

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