Marchers' blog

Sustainable Youlgrave

Angela: Today we had a really lovely walk in the Derbyshire dales. The most exciting aspect of the day was seeing small villages and towns taking the initiative themselves to set up local sustainability groups.

Youlgrave where we encountered our 500 mile mark had set up Sustainable Youlgrave. Over the past 18 months they have been working towards generating renewable electricity.

One project they are looking at is harvesting methane gas from farmyard manure to generate electricity. Another is encouraging solar panels on rooftops. These local initiatives have so much potential to deliver the cut in the UK's carbon emissions that we need of at least 80% by 2050.

However we do need a much better framework from central government to make it easier. One lady from Matlock climate action forum said to me, 'Why are solar panels and heat transfer systems not standard in all new build houses?' That is definitely a question that we need to ask the government.

Join our great shoelace petition: Email Gordon Brown now!

Half-way - the 500 mile mark!

Chira: Yesterday we had a well-earned rest day. We checked our emails, did our washing or went shopping. The local community and supporters were very kind and welcoming.

Risolat left yesterday morning and it was very sad. She was the youngest in the group and she was a very strong walker, she was at the front most of the time.

Her last day she was not feeling that well, I think maybe she had one last blister!

Today, we made it to the 500 mile mark - we're half way to London which is really exciting news for us. We took some photos at the tea break when we passed the 500 mile mark at Youlgreave and wrote 'half-way!!' on our placards.

At the beginning of the march, none of us could believe that one day we will be half way through the march. It was like a dream that we would walk 1,000 miles.

The very first step was like a dream too but now we can see that we are achieving our dream. We are walking in beautiful countryside again and we're about to stop for lunch in Winster.

We are looking forward to seeing many of you when we reach London on 2 October!

Join us in Birmingham - We will be in Birmingham next Monday 27 August for a rally and concert including Lemar, The Epstein, Shaam and local Poet Laureate Spoz. Hope to see you there. Find out more

Going off road

Neil: Buxton to Bakewell - We had to put on rough ground footwear today, there were extra miles but we were pleased not to be on a busy road. It was a lovely walk, very picturesque, everyone enjoyed it.

In the evening there was a panel discussion where Merryn spoke and the audience was very well informed about climate change. We stayed at the Methodist church and Friends meeting house. The food was so delicious that one helping wasn't enough!

We're looking forward to the rally and concert in Birmingham next Monday 27 August. Here's an interview with Lemar who's going to be performing. Hope to see you there.

Support from all sides

Neil: Marple to Buxton - We got soaked today, but we still had another good day. We had an evening event in a local school, there was a decent turnout. The support on the march has been great recently from all sides.

On Thursday, we walked along the canal into Oldham to meet Phil Woolas MP, climate change minister. The canal walking was wonderful because it's flat. At our meeting with Phil Woolas, our questions really pushed him. We left an impression on him. It was an encouraging meeting!

The road from Oldham into Manchester was straight and very busy. As we walked into Manchester, we got used to toots of support - lots of them. However, a few people who disagree (or perhaps they need to do their driving test again?) - revved their engines. But the toots of support outweighed the revving of engines. Also I found out that Stoke city won today - so that's even more good news!

And talking about support, Leonardo diCaprio has added his support to the march too!

You can join in by coming to Birmingham next Monday 27 August for a concert and rally. Make sure you join our virtual march too.

The marchers on YouTube

You can find videos of the marchers on YouTube. Here's Dwijen Mallick filmed in Bangladesh just a couple of weeks ago talking about the impact of climate change. If you're a member of our Facebook group, please do share this video, the group and the blog on your profile - links below.

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