What is life really like in the Wrekin eco-camp? Shropshire star video journalist James Shaw finds out for himself.

There is little point in pretending that my night with the anti-mining protesters at the foot of the Wrekin was at any times less than wet, cold and really miserable.

But it was also an evening spent with a group of individuals who are passionate about their beliefs. Oh, that and fire breathing.

Those opinions, naturally enough, centre around plans by UK Coal to mine 900,000 tonnes of coal from the very site that the protest camp now occupies.

Of course, nobody at the camp wants the mining to go ahead, and the reasons have been explained to a great extent.

There is the dust, noise and general upheaval that will come from a period of mining that will transform the area.

But how was I welcomed when I arrived, with tent in hand, just before 8pm on Tuesday evening?

Tellingly, some of the protesters chose to leave during my stay, and others declined to appear on camera.

That is their right, of course, although the others were quick to make up for that with the warmest of welcomes.

The camp currently numbers about 10 tents, all of which are dotted around a 40-metre wide area, with others further afield in the woods.
Step one was to erect my tent.

Unfortunately, a mixture of incompetence on my part, and the lack of any usable guide ropes, meant I had to sleep on the floor of a teepee, with just a covering of tarpaulin — that leaked.

Told you it would be miserable.

But before bedtime, I had a chance to gain a fascinating insight into how the camp works, both during the night and evening.

Most of the protesters, I was told, spend up to 12 hours each day preparing  defences, constructing shelters and making the most of a site that is covered in thick mud.

Indeed, constant appeals have been made for the simplest of items, in a bid to build a lasting community.

During the evening, however, the camp comes alive and with that, talk of the courage of many protesters.

One such member, who is only known as Chris, said: “It is a very courageous act to demonstrate on this land, or any other sites to do with quarry developments.

“You have to take your life into your own hands.

“You may be sitting up in the air in nets, on ropes, or in tree houses and underground in conditions people wouldn’t accept, sometimes for weeks or months.

“So people need to take that on board and it isn’t an easy ride on a protest camp.”

Talk of defences in particular, is short and sweet, and I am given the impression that there are others in the camp who have plans far beyond simple road blocks.

But as the protesters relax, they tell me about some of the more practical aspects of camp life.

Another member, known as Dawn, said: “Feeding people takes up a large portion of the day, as does washing up, of course.

“We also spend a lot of time discussing what our plans are for the future, making sure everyone has tea or coffee.”

The protesters do, of course, have varied reasons for spending time at the camp, and many have ‘day jobs’ that mean they come and go at varied times.

Heidi, who splits her time between the camp and life as a student, said: “If people think this is a bunch of people who just want to doss in the woods and act like hippies, then that is not the case.

“There are people who work jobs, I used to work a job and am currently a student.

“Lots of us have other things to do in our lives and its not like we have nothing better to do.

“The reason why we come and help this cause is because it is so important to us.”

Perhaps inevitably, drink flows during the evening as people relax even more, and another of the group, a practising fire-breather, shows us his skills.

He does not want to be identified, but the demonstration warms the evening up.

A couple of bongo drums appear from behind a tent and a real party atmosphere develops.

All too soon, however, bedtime approaches as the campers drift away to their various tents.

I am left alone to prepare my bed in the spare teepee, albeit a basic one, with just a few creepie crawlies for company.

And as I leave the next morning, I am given an open invitation to return – as long as I bring more supplies.

UK Coal spokesman Stuart Oliver said:”The protest is not causing an issue at the moment. In terms of the argument they put, that is undermined by the fact that if we do not recover the coal from the Huntington Lane site, an equivalent amount of coal will be imported to the UK from Russia, South Africa or Indonesia, which will travel 4,000 to 5,000 miles, instead of 40 or 50 miles top generate to power we all reply on.”