Ref. 25727-44THE planned eviction of a tenant farming couple from their home and land near Barbury Castle has sparked a protest petition with at least 500 signatures.

The Evening Advertiser has already told how Brian and Lynne Simpson, aged 50 and 48, face the start of legal action by Swindon Council to remove them from Ridgeway Farm on September 1.

In 2001 the council announced plans to revamp the castle and the surrounding land as a tourist attraction, and the eviction proceedings followed from this.

However, regular visitors to the site have other ideas.

Swindon local history expert Mary Ratcliffe, best known for her appearances as Queen Victoria at street festivals and parades, joined forces with Roger Hayes, organiser of yearly charity bicycle rides on and around the Ridgeway, to distribute a petition.

Mr Hayes, a retired railway worker, said: "At the weekend, we went with some other supporters of the Simpsons to the castle with the petition and asked people to support the Simpsons and use their voices against the council's changes at Barbury Castle.

"We had over 500 signatures, and everyone we spoke to was very supportive. Not one person refused to sign, and not one person spoke in favour of the council's plans or the eviction of the Simpsons."

The document will be presented to Swindon mayor Derek Benfield at the Civic Offices tomorrow.

Coun Benfield (Lab, Covingham and Nythe) said: "As the mayor of Swindon borough, I am duty bound to receive this petition and would not wish to comment any further."

The Simpsons have farmed the site since 1991 and say that if evicted they would lose their home, their farm and the caf that they have built up.

They plan to fight the eviction through the courts, if necessary.

The date for their eviction proceedings had previously been set for the end of last month, but was extended because of the couple's circumstances, the council said.

That date itself was postponed a year because the couple's dairy herd suffered TB last year.

Mrs Simpson said of the petition: "I'm overwhelmed at the level of support. I do not think anybody came to the castle at the weekend who was not in support of us."