It is sweeter to wander with the wretched and outcasts than to sit crowned with roses at the banquets of the rich
Elisee Reclus

Wednesday, December 07, 2016

Ancient Squatting Graffiti on Tulse Hill Estate still visible


Birch House, Tulse Hill Estate, London SW2

London County Council deck-access Estate with ancient Squat symbol painted graffiti from The Ruinist guesses mid-1980s.

The first squats (apart from the 121 Anarchist Centre on Railton Rd) The Ruinist ever visited were first on Tulse Hill Estate in 1985 and then nearby on Elm Park in the same era. The Ruinist has no real recollection of who we visited on the estate but we do remember the anarchos and pacifists we visited at Elm Park - and these local activist types have their own histories that can be found here in the great oracle of the WWW. So we will keep quiet.

There is some outlandish factional squat tales from Tulse Hill Estate in the almost half decent book 'Serious Time' by Joe Ambrose if you can be arsed.

Happy that symbol still there. Estate is very different from the 1980's although has it's moments.

Needless to say the late 1980's reggae and dancehall nights at the Jubilee Community Centre on the estate remain legendary. The Ruinist never was there though mind.

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