We came, we saw, but have we conquered?

 

A 90-minute peaceful rally on the steps of the Welsh Assembly’s Senedd headquarters has been hailed as a stunning success by organisers as national television, radio and the internet broadcasted Montgomeryshire’s views about multi-billion pound power plans that will change our countryside forever.

 

And the message was loud and clear to the Cardiff power brokers that a full public enquiry must be held into the Tan 8 agreement which has given the green light for hundreds of wind turbines to be erected in previously untouched countryside, along with the monstrous infrastructure to carry the power generated into England.

 

“This is a clear message today that the people of Montgomeryshire, and Mid Wales as a whole, are against these proposals and the sentence that the Welsh Assembly has imposed on them,” said MP Glyn Davies, during his rousing address (right). “Look at this crowd; the people have shown their opinion and you have to listen, Cardiff.”

 

TV Weathergirl Sian Lloyd (left with Mr Davies), who lives near Newtown, said the plans amount to nothing short of the “rape of the countryside” and once again reiterated the scientific facts that the turbines don’t produce the volumes of power that was once claimed.

 

Other speakers included AM Russell George who will fight the plans in his new capacity as the Conservative’s shadow Energy Minister at the Assembly.

 

But one of the biggest cheers of the day was reserved for 55-year old Nick Larder who arrived at the steps accompanied by three other walkers who trekked 120 miles from Welshpool for the cause.

 

It was a stunning scene which played out in glorious sunshine. Residents from just about every local village and town flocked to Cardiff for one of the biggest demonstrations the Senedd has ever witnessed.

 

Our man of the ground described the support as “overwhelming”.

 

He said: “It wasn’t just the numbers of people, but the effort that had gone into making banners, hats, badges, in fact anything that got the message across. It was overwhelming and they still continued to flood in after the rally had started. I was trying to count in batches of 10 with another man and we estimated that there were at least 2,000 people present. Fantastic effort.”

 

Meanwhile, David Mercer from the National Grid, told the BBC in response to the demonstration that: “We have a commitment to get a connection from the wind farms that are currently there and being developed to the national grid.”

 

The fight will continue in the coming days and weeks with Mr Davies expected to meet Energy Minister Charles Hendry soon and more demonstrations are planned.