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PROTEST CAMP SET UP AT HIGHGATE RABBIT FARM

Sunday, 2nd August

6.00pm
There are 23 people at the camp, which is now well into its seventh day of protest. Activists are enjoying the sun and BBQ, and are using the opportunity to plan future camps, and are determined to shut Highgate Rabbit Farm.

Saturday, 1st August

5.45pm
Tomorrow is the last full day of the camp, so if you can make it try and get yourselves up/down there! Spirits are still high, and following the success of this week, more actions like this are already being planned.

8.00am
Another peaceful nights sleep. Thanks to everyone who came down last night.

Friday, 31th July

12.00pm
The camp could do with extra people attending for Saturday night - if you can make it please call the camp mobile on: 07941184529. If you can't get through (signal isn't great), please text an estimate time and day when you are planning on attending.

11.00am
CID have been down to the farm to question the farmer about the dead rabbit thrown at the camp yesterday.

Thursday, 30th July

8.00am
During the night a shot rabbit with a rope tied around their neck was thrown at the camp from the direction of the farm. This kind of pathetic intimidation doesn't put us off Geoffrey, it just makes us more angry with what you do. It doesn't really align with your claims of being an animal lover either does it? Please call the farm and register your disgust on: 01673 878259 and 01673 878 232.

Wednesday, 29th July

5.00pm
The council have been back to the camp, and are now happy for us to stay. All earlier issues have now been resolved. The camp will go on! The campers would like to thank everyone who has contacted them with messages of support, it's really appreciated.

2.00pm
BBC Radio Lincolnshire have been down to the site for interviews and to have a look around. They will be covering the story tomorrow morning during prime time, between 7.30-10am.

11.20am
The council have attended the site again, but despite earlier eviction threats they simply provided the camp with bin bags for rubbish. The camp is also on the front page of the Market Rasen Mail with a really good article (click here to read it). Geoffrey Douglas is currently writing a letter to the paper to try and justify his supply of animals to research establishments.

Tuesday, 28th July

10.00pm
Campers are getting ready to go to bed. The police have brought in a riot van to sleep in, everything is still good natured and positive, although it has started to rain.

6.20pm
A police helicopter has been hovering over the camp. It has now left and the campers are preparing a BBQ.

5.20pm
The council have been down to the farm, threatening to go to court and evict the camp in the morning. Activists are determined to stay and exercise their right to protest. We don't give in that easily!

1.00pm
Ian Caswell from South Yorkshire FIT team has been lurking around the camp trying to snap some shots for his activists Top Trumps collection. The camp is still in full swing, but if you are able to get down there extra numbers would be appreciated.

8.50am
The weather is looking amazing, and everyone is up and about again after a good nights rest. The police and Geoffrey Douglas may not have had such a good nights sleep, as for some reason the police thought they should spend the whole night parked on his drive with the place lit up like a christmas tree.

Monday, 27th July

10.50pm
The camp is winding down for the night, with police guarding both the camp and the farm. More updates to come in the morning. If you are able, please get to the farm - the camp mobile (07941184529) will be answered all through the night and you are welcome to turn up at any time day or night and for any period of time.

8.00pm
An officer from Stafford police has arrived at the camp, expressing concerns that it may be the beginning of "the new Newchurch". He has been begging campers not to visit the farm during the night.

5.50pm
The police have been asking campers if they know who has been putting up Highgate Farm posters in the local villages. None of the activists have left the camp all day, so it seems to be locals following the media interest. This is backed up by the great response we have had so far. Thank you for your support!

5.30pm
The local TV news crew has just left the site. With a glorious summers day, everyone is upbeat and happy. The activists are happy, the locals are happy, the press are happy, even the police seem happy... but Mr Geoffrey Douglas, owner of Highgate Rabbit Farm, doesn't seem too happy, as he was spotted earlier screaming into his phone, despite the camp being completely peaceful.

4.20pm
TV news crew are on their way to the camp to interview the protesters about the cruelty at Highgate Farm and HLS.

4pm
The Market Rasen Mail has run a positive article on the camp on their website. Click here to read it.

3pm
The sun is shining on the camp, and so are the local residents! Loads of local support so far, as well as press coming down to do interviews.

12.15pm
Local police are back on site. Everything is very good natured and several more activists have joined the camp.

10am
The Chief Inspector of Lincolnshire police has been to visit the camp. No issue so far, the atmosphere of the camp is very peaceful and upbeat, and the police have offered campers refreshments. More activists are on the way to boost numbers, if you can join them please contact the camp mobile number: 07941184529.

8am
Activists have occupied land near the entrance of Highgate Rabbit Farm in protest against their breeding of rabbits and ferrets for the vivisection industry. They supply several university and commercial laboratories, including Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS). The campers are holding a peaceful occupation of the land, calling on the closure of the farm, and for the farmer Geoffrey Douglas to hand the animals over to a suitable organisation for rehoming.

If you can make it to the camp for any period of time, please ring the camp number: 07941184529
The farm is located at: Highgate Farm, Highgate lane, Normanby-by-Spital, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 2HQ
Click here for a map and directions.

There are several ways you can support the action:

• You can telephone the farm on: 01673 878259 and 01673 878 232.
• You can attend the camp to protest - whether it is for an hour, a day or a week your presence would be greatly appreciated.
* You can write to the farm at the address above.
* You can attend the national protest on the 26th September (click here for details)

Please keep all communications to the farm informative and polite. The purpose of your correspondence is to urge them to stop breeding animals for vivisection, and to allow the animals to be rehomed.