Can anyone think of a famous "back to nature" type British environmentalist. There was the kid called "Swampy"

Question

And if you can tell me who I mean, that would be great.

Otherwise, other names would be great.

Thanks

Answer 1

HELLO

SWAMPY WAS A PERSON WHO WANTED TO STOP TREES BEING CUT DOWN, HE WAS I THINK THE LAST ONE BROUGHT OUT OF A SET OF UNDERGROUND TUNNELS

The Binsted Wood protesters become shy at only two questions: the position of their tunnels and the whereabouts of Daniel Hooper, aka Swampy.

Not wishing to talk about one of their key means of defence for fear of giving advantage to the bailiffs is understandable. But why so coy over Swampy?

"We just don't feel comfortable talking about Dan," said protester Alice. "I don't think it's fair for any of us to speak for him or about him. It's up to him to come forward if he wants."

Dreadlocked Swampy became the public face of the activists in 1996 after he was identified by the Guardian as one of the last protesters to emerge from tunnels dug at Fairmile in south Devon.

His life story - he is the son of middle class parents from Buckinghamshire - was told by the tabloids. He appeared in fashion shoots and on Have I Got News for You.

But he became embittered and has vowed not to speak to the media again.

He became a father while living in a squat in Yorkshire - and to the alarm of his fans put "market researcher" as his job or profession on the child's birth certificate. But this may have been a joke and he is believed to have turned up at anti-GM crop protests last year.

He is believed to be leading an itinerant life. His father, Peter, said this week that he did not know where his son was and was not in regular contact with him.

The Binsted Wood gang clearly know how to contact him and promise to pass on messages - but do not believe he will want to get in touch. They are in two minds over the legacy of the "Swampy effect".

"I think it was good and bad," Alice said. It created the oxygen of publicity but sometimes obscured the message the activists were trying to get across.

"The media is too much into lifestyle," Alice said. "They want to know more about where we **** than about what we are protesting about."

About this articleClose This article appeared in the Guardian on Wednesday July 09 2003 . It was last updated at 02:38 on July 09 2003.

Answer 2

Kate Evans, a young girl who was also at newbury and various other protests. Her mother was a greenham peace woman.  

Kate is a cartoonist and can be found at www.cartoonkate.com  she writes very informative, funny eco cartoons among many other talents.

I have a lot of respect for this young woman!

Answer 3

Swampy was an environmental protester that came to notice during the A30 protests outside Exeter.

I am not sure that anyone ever knew his name apart from the police when he got arrested frequently.

He was I believe also on the Newbury A34 bypass escapade which made that stretch of road the most expensive mile for mile in road construction history with the cost of security.

I did some research and found this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swampy

Answer 4

Grey Owl. Go on Google him and be prepared to be amused and fascinated by his story.

Answer 5

Swampy was a guy who lived in a tunnel to protect an area of forestation that was to be cut down for roads or something.  Lots of people have done similar things like living in trees in tree houses way high up and making camps on the ground and refusing to move.  Try SchNEWS archives for pictures and info on protests and past actions.  Also try Reclaim the Streets archives for info on protests that are to do with roads and cars.

www.schnews.org.uk

http://rts.gn.apc.org/