Despite fracking’s popularity being at an all time low, companies are still pouring money into the controversial practice.

Some of the once shadowy companies are now becoming familiar names. Cuadrilla is probably the best known, having recently had its plans for shale gas development in Lancashire forced through by an ever-willing government.

But behind those doing the drilling is a complex financing web, with investors often taking solace in being in the shadows.

One of those investors, Barclays bank, was this weekend thrust into the limelight.

Barclays owns Third Energy, which has a licence to frack in Ryedale, Yorkshire. Barclays also has other substantial investments in the fossil fuel industry.

So how do you stop Barclay’s backing fracking? By turning a branch into a living room, complete with a cup of Yorkshire tea, obviously.

That’s what campaigners from Frack Off London, Divest London, and Friends of the Earth did on Saturday in London’s Piccadilly Circus.

About 150 people turned out to support the mother and daughter team of Nicky and Ruby Hollins, whose home in Ryedale is close to Third Energy’s proposed fracking site. Nicky said:

“We’ve come down to Barclays home in the UK, to give them the clear message that they are not welcome to frack in our home in Ryedale.”

DeSmogUK was there to see it unfold.

Main image: Fossil Free UK via Flickr, CC–BY