Environmental groups head to London for Restore Nature Now rally

Fifty people from Worcester and Malvern travelled to London at the weekend to take part in a rally calling on politicians to support the environment.

Members of environmental groups including Extinction Rebellion and the RSPB attended the Restore Nature Now rally in central London on Saturday, June 22.

Arriving by coach and train, they joined 100,000 others at Park Lane before marching to Parliament Square.

Malvern and Worcester residents at the Restore Nature Now rally in London on June 22 (Image: Malvern Extinction Rebellion)

It was a unique collaboration of 350 different environmental groups united by their demand that the next government must act to reverse the loss of wildlife and halt climate breakdown.

People dressed in a number of costumes representing British wildlife from bees to badgers, while many held placards demanding action from politicians.

Those who had travelled to the capital joined in with samba-inspired Extinction Rebellion drumming bands.

Alan Spencer, from Worcester’s Extinction Rebellion group, said: "It was thrilling to be part of the largest ever gathering of people demanding a better deal for nature in Britain.

"The event was a call to arms to warn against further depletion of our natural world and the harmful impact that has on all our lives."

A speech from Feargal Sharkey, former singer with the Undertones, resonated with local groups, which have been campaigning locally about river pollution.

Naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham was at the event and said: "Since Frankie Goes to Hollywood told us to relax, 600 million birds across Europe have vanished, including 65 per cent of our cuckoos and 90 per cent of our nightingales.

Malvern and Worcester residents at the Restore Nature Now rally in London on June 22 (Image: Malvern Extinction Rebellion)

"Since the Sex Pistols pointed out it was anarchy in the UK, 80 per cent of our butterflies have gone.

"Nineteen per cent of our wildlife has been destroyed and one in six species are now in danger of extinction."

Cathy Groves, from Malvern Extinction Rebellion, added: “The 350 groups that joined this event were able to set aside their differences on how to achieve their aims and instead focus on a commonality of purpose: a recognition that our health depends on clean air, clean water and the diversity of nature.

"For the sake of ours and future generations it is in all our interests to restore nature now.”