The “un crime wave”. The preservation of property and value.
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I believe councils are supposed to put up notices of changes that are going to occur. At times past, this process used to be skipped, and notices used to be put up at the last moment.
Such was the notice that St Matthews Church, Camden Town, London, was going to be demolished including the vicarage next door. The local people were up in arms when they found this out belatedly, and very upset.
They were even more upset when it was found out that squatters had moved into the vicarage (we had “insiders knowledge” I suppose it would be called these days) but we were experienced at dealing with this situation. We told them we could be part of the solution, which was true.
A contract had been put out with a demolition firm to start proceedings and they decided to turf us out. They sent around some of the heavy squad to let us know.
Being an anarchist, I was always a little bit envious of the local communist groups that were operating very much in tandem with us. They were always super well organised, much disciplined, held no truck with slackers, and got things done. Their properties were always neat and tidy and they held regular meetings and delegated action plans. It was a bit of a strain keeping up with them actually, as they were direct competitors but had a different agenda.
Our main agenda was to live cheaply as possible until our educational studies had been completed. However, the sight of these wonderful properties being destroyed, and the plight of many local people did stir up a little altruism in some.
Anyway, the communists had contacts, what kind of contacts I don’t know, but for all I knew lead straight through to the Kremlin. There was an arrangement if I had problems of the heavy duty kind I should contact them, which I did. There was some definite heavy duty issues involved.
Some time later the demolition squad came around and said everything was OK. They were going to knock down the church and we could stay in the vicarage. If you see the window in the mini spire on the outside, I watched through that window as the main steeple was being demolished. A guy stood right at the top and knocked out a brick under his feet with the sledge hammer. He did that brick by brick until the steeple was the same level as the main building. It gave me vertigo just to watch that, and I don't normally suffer from vertigo, I have worked at height myself. It was amazing to watch.
Too bad we could not save the church, but we did save the Vicarage. Lovely building. Another win chalked up rent free for about 20 students over more than two years. I actually moved out of the place early and gave my place to others. I did return to help clean up the place, especially, before we handed the keys over to an American couple who were the proud new owners.
Just to prove my point of value preservation, it is now a listed building...
http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-477649-the-old-vicarage-and-attached-railings-g/photos
There are dozens of them, including whole streets. Very fine properties, saved from the godless hoards of Red Ken & GLC.
Just the left hand side mind you
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There are properties where a line was drawn in the sand and the high rise concrete flats stopped and the historic buildings remained. A dramatic contrast.
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Meanwhile... today, the mega criminals are more busy then ever draining all the wealth from society and sheets of internet and newspaper space are wasted on similar petty issues like a rioter who stole a bottle of wine or something.
... get a grip.. your mind is far too easily manipulated away from the real criminals. |
