The mobile office is an idea brainstormed by campaigners from the A30 Action group protesting against the new A30 at Fairmile, Fort Trollheim and Allercombe; three camps set up along the proposed route near Exeter in Devon.  

After the evictions a group of people moved to Wales to put these ideas in to practice.

 Our mission:

 To convert a van into an office that is mobile and powered from sustainable energy. These facilities will be availiable for campaigners involved with Non-Violent Direct Action campaigns.

 Our Aims:

To eradicate the need to walk often miles across country to make a phonecall, release a statement to the press, send faxes, produce leaflets and to update internet pages.

 How far we've got:

About two months ago, we purchased an old Dodge/Commer ambulance from a friend for next to nothing. The only problem was that the ambulance was in a severe state of decay. We have had to totally rebuild all of the framework that supports the shell of the body from about 5ft down. This has taken a long period of time as the work is difficult and also expensive. We have been paying for everything needed from our own very limited pockets. We have almost completed the rebuild, and should be ready to install the basic equipment we have, very soon. We have been collecting equipment since the A30 campaign and have a very limited Compaq 386 portable computer. This requires mains electricity to power. We use a 12V to 240V inverter but the problem is inverters flatten 12V batteries rapidly. We can probably manage until we have the funding to get a low voltage laptop. A broken photocopier was purchased from a recycling centre, this has now been fixed and is often used.

The idea is, that the mobile office will be used mainly on low profile campaigns that usually do not have the budget to do the essential office and safety work that is crucial to run an effective campaign. We will endeavour to move the mobile office to wherever it is most needed at the time. An office needs to be located either on or very near to a site in order for site dwellers to be able to use the equipment. One problem we found on the A30 was that sometimes it was very difficult for campaigners living on site to leave a lot of the time. Once the 'notice to quit' (leave now, or you will be taken to court) has been served, the police regularly visit site in order to gather information for use when the eviction finally starts. A dedicated campaigner will not leave a site if there is a threat of police in the area. Having the ability for protesters to release written statements to the press on their arrival is crucial, in order to ensure that the correct message is presented.

Functions of the Mobile Office (M.O):

 (A) To distribute information

 It is essential to be able to provide up-to-date information at all times. If people living on site come up with an idea of a flyer for an action or a newsletter to be distributed, then they can come into the mobile office and use the facilities to put their ideas onto paper instantly. Producing flyers and leaflets for nationwide distribution is a useful part of an office, encouraging people to visit the site or even just to write a letter to the local M.P of the area asking for the pointless, environmentally destructive scheme that is being highlighted, to be halted immediately. This helps immensely, not only practically but also to raise morale. It is very easy for long term campaigners to start thinking that they are alone in their beliefs and can often become quite depressed. A newsletter could be produced for distribution to local residents so as they can be regularly updated on what is going on. This can all be done from the M.O.

 (B) Communications

 We intend to be able to set up a good communications system linking any sites on route with each other and also with the M.O. CBs work very well and are easy to maintain as they run off of 12V batteries. We will have the facilities to charge them from power generated by the windmills and solar panels. This means every site can have its own CB rig with a battery. If the battery is becoming flat, it can be brought to the M.O for testing and recharging. We have a lot of experience with CBs from the A30 campaign where communication was always top priority. (Sometimes it all went hideously wrong; nothing that couldn't be sorted out though and anyway you can't expect everything to run smoothly all of the time!)

 This is very useful as often information is required that normally would take hours of sitting in a library, miles away from site, filtering through books. Up-to-date information on the law is always needed to avoid confrontations with the police. We will also have our own web pages where we can act as an information source for interested groups and individuals across the globe. We intend to be able to issue press releases not only by faxes but also by e-mail. Communication is an essential part of any good, working campaign.

 (C) Safety on sites:

 We intend to be able to install/maintain intercoms and ventilation systems for subterranean defences. Ventilation is vital as sometimes, especially in deeper networks, air can become thin and breathing can become difficult. With a good ventilation system including low voltage fans and clearly labelled alcathene pipes, breathing can be as easy as on the surface.

Intercoms are essential to keep constant communication with tunnellers not only during an eviction but also whilst preparing their defences ie. digging, shoring and building underground doors. In the unlikely event of a cave-in, we can then switch on all of the ventilation systems and speak to tunnellers through the intercom. During the A30 evictions, we had this basic set-up installed in the back of a personal living vehicle. This meant we were able to ensure the tunnellers were safe, who were living in the areas that the bailiffs had not yet accessed.

Our safety precautions will all be powered and controlled from the M.O whilst we are on-site. If we were to move to another campaign we would arrange for an off route 'bender' to house the equipment. We will be constantly available to offer servicing advice in the event of a malfunction. Everyone on site will be informed of how the system works. Basically it's as simple as flicking a couple of switches!

We will try to arrange local safety meetings between protesters and the police, fire brigade and ambulance services to explain the safety facilities we have and how they are used. This information is vital in the unlikely event that we need to call them out because of a cave-in. We will also try to open a dialogue with the undersheriff in an attempt to explain how dangerous it could be if his bailiffs removed any of the essential life support systems installed, whilst evicting. A full first aid kit will always be carried in the M.O.

 (D) Information and resource centre:

We are at the moment gathering vast amounts of information from groups not only nationwide but also all the way across the globe. This will be in a filing cabinet in the M.O. Anyone can look at these files but unfortunately will not be able to remove them. This was a lesson learnt on the A30, where files were constantly being 'borrowed' and never returned. We do have a photocopier though, so any info. that is required to be taken away, can be.

 (E) Recording of events for archives:

A record of events taking place on site/s will be kept and updated onto our web pages regularly. Check out PP3 log on our web pages. These are records taken by us from the A30 campaign. We also have a video camcorder and a 12V VHS machine, meaning we have the ability to act as legal observers in the event of police or bailiffs visiting site. This is very useful, especially as evidence in court if somebody is arrested.

 We need your help NOW!

We desperately require donations NOW toward this project. Every penny, stamp or envelope helps. Please send us a contribution. If anyone knows anything about linking laptop computers with mobile phones can they please contact us. We're also collecting information for our files. Please send us any info. you have on what your up to. If anyone would like the mobile office for a campaign or action please contact at our address or by e-mail.

Watch this space for updates on our project. Cheers!

THE MOBILE OFFICE PROJECT

Glanierw
Blaenporth
Aberteifi
Ceredigion
SA43 2HP