Gerald Kaufman MP (far right) joins Manchester supporters in planting an apple tree to oppose the third runway
From small acorns do mighty oak trees grow. Okay, we've been planting apple trees instead of oaks, but the sentiment certainly rings true for the Airplot tree planting ceremonies being held up and down the country.
Was it only 10 days ago I was standing in a field near Heathrow, watching Richard Briers, Alison Steadman and others planting an orchard on the Airplot? Since then, apple trees have been planted from Land's End to John O'Groats (well, Bournemouth to Edinburgh at the very least) to twin those towns with Sipson, the village that will be levelled to build the third runway, and demonstrate that it's not just a local issue but a national (dare I even say international?) one.
Our new Get Active section is filling up with blogs, images and videos from the Greenpeace active supporters who've organised and conducted the nationwide events, many of which were attended by MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates (ie who we might be voting for next year) who oppose a third runway. Poems, music and plenty of cake are also in evidence. Here are just some of the highlights:
- What to do if your apple trees don't arrive
- Robin Hood lends a hand in (where else?) Nottingham
- Fool-proof recipe for planting a tree
- Plus a recipe for toffee apples (which look fantastic!)
- And some videos:
Updates have also come in from Hounslow, Leigh-on-Sea, Croydon, Gateshead, Worcester, Swiss Cottage, Merseyside, Manchester, Reading, Canterbury, Poole, Walthamstow, and Edwinstowe in Nottinghamshire, plus photos from Edinburgh and north London on Flickr.
A big hand to all the supporters who've taken part in this, and if you'd like to find out more about being active supporter you can contact your local network - search the map for the nearest one!
