FEARGAL Sharkey is the man: the Genghis Khan of modern water warriors. He’s fearless, passionate, tireless and endlessly prepared. He’s the water crusader that we have been crying out for. For many, this one-time rock star has changed the landscape of protest. His campaigns for clean rivers have been far removed from the polite objections of the past, made in the main by genteel professors and environmentalists. Because of Sharkey, primarily, we all know about sewage in our rivers, off our beaches and the crackpot bonuses that have gone to water company CEOs when the money should have gone into investment. Stop the pussyfooting, Sharkey said years ago. Pure water is truly a matter of life and death for us and the fish alike.
Following on from Sharkey, who is also the kindest and most generous of men when not pursuing water companies and statutory authorities, who are the others rolling up their sleeves in this battle? I’ve been involved in the fight for pure rivers for 37 years and been to in excess of 1,000 meetings, after which nothing has been done. was watched by millions earlier this year. Moreover, Whitehouse unearthed Matt Staniek – it’s greatly heartening to see a 20-something entering the fray.
