No, it's not a typo. On Tuesday night, we took the Save The Arctic campaign to the pub. And what a great night it was. I managed to not let the great range of ales distract me too much from the screening of a Frozen Planet episode, and I even managed to stay 'just' sober enough to not be completely useless in the Arctic Pub Quiz that followed - although, disappointingly and ashamedly, my team did come last.
Rose, from Camden Greenpeace, organised the whole thing at her local pub, the Dartmouth Arms in Tufnell Park. The place was decorated beautifully, with 'Polar Beer Mats', iceberg table decorations and polar bear biscuits as well as lots of other delicious food that was laid on. We also had our obligatory polar bear walking around, scaring the regulars, and almost bursting in to flames next to the open fire (oops!).
We had a fascinating talk from Sara Ayech, a local but also a Greenpeace Climate Campaigner who was just back from the latest voyage to the Arctic on board the Greenpeace Ship, Arctic Sunrise. She told us all about the trip, including how shocked the on-board scientists were at the extent of this years ice melt. Really worrying.
I have to say, I was quite taken aback by the number of people that turned up - the place was packed! I had to keep running to the next room to get more chairs to squeeze in at the back. There must have been about 60 people in all, and there were lots of new faces. Everyone loves the Arctic, and it's clear that we've really struck a chord with this campaign. People were telling me that they saw the event advertised in the local paper, and as soon as they saw that it was to do with the Arctic, they just had to come along. There were lots of people texting to sign up to the campaign to create a global sanctuary, and there was a lot of concern about Shell's plans to drill in the Arctic.
I'm looking forward to going back to the pub again soon, such a nice place, and a great selection of (not quite polar) beers. I even heard that the place is recommended by the Campaign for Seal Ale, but I think that may have been a pun too far.
So here's to the next Arctic Pub night - cheers!
View more photos from the night here: http://www.flickr.com//photos/camdengreenpeace/sets/72157632125891926/show/
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