A PROTEST camp near the site of the Magna Carta signing opened its doors yesterday to cash-strapped families in need of a summer holiday.

Newcomers to the Runnymede Ecovillage were offered free space to camp and plenty of activities so that those hit hardest by austerity could enjoy a break.

Previous visitors to Cooper’s Hill Forest in Surrey said that they would be returning this weekend after finding the stay at the self-sustainable campsite a “healing” experience.

Organisers, including homeless campaigners from the Love Activists collective, said they “recognise a need to offer a free summer holiday in a natural setting for families feeling the burden of Conservative government cuts.”

They added: “Every child deserves a summer holiday.”

Visitors were encouraged to bring fruit and vegetables for the communal meals and could participate in a series of workshops, including live story time.

Annie Travers, who spent some days at the camp in June with her 11-year-old son Nathan, told the Star she planned to travel down from London to spend the weekend at the camp.

“We had the most amazing time. Me and Nathan cooked a massive pot of lentil dahl over an open fire, all co-operatively stoked, stirred and prepped by a team of hungry, brilliant people,” she said.

She added that one of the camp residents had “lent my son, with my consent, his camping knife and Nathan had the special rite of passage use of this knife to help prepare the veggies for the meal.

“Later that night, Nathan made friends with other kids who live on site, and ended up sleeping under a circus big top under the stars with the other children, an experience so impromptu and special he will never forget.”

Ms Travers, who will be holding a karaoke workshop with the children at the camp, added: “I intend to return this weekend with more lentils, marshmallows to roast on sticks, songs to sing and my new friendships to revisit.

“I’ve managed to get away this year a couple of times with Nathan on our own, but nothing beats sitting in an
area of real natural beauty, being so relaxed and open that you cannot help but talk, share and bond with like-minded folks.

“That is what makes this camping trip the ultimate, in my view.”

Runnymede Ecovillage has, as previously reported by the Star, been threatened with eviction by local authorities but won its case to remain at a Court of Appeal hearing in late June.