As the second anniversary of Camp Titnore grows closer, and with no sign yet of the new revised planning application for the site ("mid-May by the latest" is the latest estimate from Worthing council), the campers are getting into summer season mood by starting a Sunday Free Cafe on the last Sunday of every month, inviting local people and kids to go down and get involved. There wll be music, workshops, free food, stuff for children etc. The next one will be on Sunday 27th April

Saturday May 24 Happy Second Birthday Titnore Tree Camp! Party on the steps of Worthing Town Hall in Chapel Road, Worthing. Bring music and party stuff. 2pm.

THE following press release has been issued by worthing eco-action:

"A HAMPER for a camper" is the theme of an event being staged in Worthing town centre by Titnore Woods campaigners at the weekend.

Supporters of the eco-protest in Durrington will be in Montague Place at lunchtime on Saturday December 16 asking Christmas shoppers to spare a thought for the die-hard campers who will be spending the festive season in the cold and muddy woodland off Titnore Lane.

They are asking them to donate food and drink items, preferably meat-free and dairy-free, to make up hampers that will be taken up to the camp by supporters in the town.

There will also be the chance to sign letters to the council and fill in Christmas decorations bearing messages of support for the camp, which has now been in place for more than six months.

Said Dave Phillips of Worthing eco-action: "When the protesters moved onto the site of the proposed development on May 28, nobody imagined that they would still be there in December.

"It is largely thanks to the tremendous support they have been receiving from the people of Worthing that they have been able to keep the struggle going so long.

"As most of us look forward to spending Christmas somewhere warm and cosy, surrounded by our families, we are asking people to remember the protesters who have committed to staying at the site, fighting to protect our precious countryside from the bulldozers.

"If people can't get along to Montague Place on Saturday, or to the camp itself, they can always drop off donations of any kind at Down to Earth health food shop at the western end of Montague Street."

* Press have been invited to a photocall and supporters are encouraged to turn up at Montague Place, Worthing, and swell the numbers at 1.20pm. Festive props and hamper donations welcome! This will take place regardless of weather conditions, under any available shelter. If it is fine, there should also be a stall in the area from around 11am.

Tuesday September 26

CLIMBING firm Highline Access has denied being hired to evict Camp Titnore. An email to campaigners read: "My name is Paul Cooper and I am the co-director of Highline Access in Bristol. I recently spoke to James Mutley, who I believe is the head of the Titnore Protest, in regards to our company being employed to evict the protesters from the trees. Please let us clear the air- we have never been approached by any one person or entity with regards to any eviction at Titnore. The first and only time we have heard of this was when I spoke to Mr. Mutley roughly three weeks ago. Our company is not nor will we be involved in any eviction. In fact, we have told Mr. Mutley that we would be willing to consult with the protestors suggesting ways they might stay in the trees. With this being said, would you please cease using our company or reference to our company in regards to any eviction. In fact, it would be nice if you could please inform all interested parties that we are not involved. We wish you all the luck in the world with your endeavour and fully support your reasons for doing so. There are far too many giant supermarkets and mean-spirited, badly designed housing developments in Britain already. Save the woodlands! Regards, Paul Cooper."

11pm, Monday June 5

THE MOOD is very positive in the camp as the ninth day of on-site protesting is completed. Current priorities on the wishlist (see below) are still large beams of wood and 10mm polyprop rope, plus chains and D-locks. Paints and materials for banner making are also requested, plus citronella (mosquito repellant!) and tea tree oil. Loads of straw would also be useful for laying on pathways (so it doesn't have to be particularly fresh).

TITNORE campaigners have accused Worthing's two MPs of "acting like cowards" by keeping silent on the issue. They say it is "appalling" that, as the treetop protesters celebrated their first full week occupying the threatened woods at West Durrington, neither of the borough's elected representatives had managed to find anything at all to say about the latest dramatic turn of events.

Said John Clark of Protect Our Woodland! (POW!): "We know that both these politicians have expressed an interest in similar matters in the past. "Peter Bottomley likes to be known for his concern for animal welfare, while Tim Loughton was very eager to be associated with the successful campaign to stop housing development on the countryside behind Beeches Avenue in Broadwater.

"But when it comes to this major local controversy, now attracting national and even international attention because of the protest camp, they have suddenly come over all shy.

"This is, quite frankly, appalling. The pair of them are acting like cowards. The people of Worthing have a right to hear what their MPs think about the threat to Titnore Woods.

"If they support the protest, then their voices will add to the strength of the campaign and make it more likely to succeed.

"If they oppose the protest, and support the development, then why have they not had the courage to say so? Their constituents have a right to know where they stand."

Mr Clarke said he personally suspected the MPs were opposed to the protest, but were unwilling to say so because they realised the campers had the support of the vast majority of Worthing residents.

He said: "The protesters in Titnore Woods have really been overwhelmed by the positive response from locals and the media. "It seems that everybody's talking about it and I have yet to hear anyone say they support the views of the Somerset family and the property developers.

"This is really sending a clear and powerful message to the powers-that-be at Worthing Town Hall and in London - Worthing does not want this development!"

POW! has this week been urging its supporters to write to Worthing Borough Council urging it not to give the final seal of approval to the development, in the light of the massive support that has materialised for the protesters (1).

It is also suggesting that the council convene emergency talks with the landowners, the Somerset family.

POW! says the council should urge them not to sell the land to the property developers, but instead to sell or donate the woods to a body such as the National Trust "which could protect and preserve this valued local landscape for future generations of Worthing people".