Bollocks to Reading Borough Council! Community Garden opens on schedule.
Gregor Samsa | 20.05.2007 10:04 | Culture | Ecology | Free Spaces | Oxford
Despite an injunction issued only two days before, the Common Ground Community Garden celebrated its opening on 19th May.
The Common Ground Community Garden in Reading's Katesgrove district had its official opening as planned. Reading Borough Council in its infinite wisdom had two days earlier served an injunction on "persons unknown" in a spectacularly unsuccessful attempt to stop the opening. Why RBC waited until the last moment when the site (a derelict former Women's Information Centre) had been squatted for months is anybody's guess.
Since January, Mr and Ms Persons Unknown, their friends, neighbours and local activists have worked hard to transform a piece of unused wasteground into a magnificant garden for all to enjoy.
The opening was a great success. Two gents in a Polish-registered vehicle (presumably employed by RBC) kept an eye on the proceedings, but didn't seem to do much - they weren't even taking photos, let alone trying to stop anyone entering the site. Despite the competition from some minor footy game, there was a steady influx of visitors throughout the day. Attractions included much beer, excellent conversation, BBQ, plenty of food, an excellent party atmosphere and some first-rate live acoustic music.
Since January, Mr and Ms Persons Unknown, their friends, neighbours and local activists have worked hard to transform a piece of unused wasteground into a magnificant garden for all to enjoy.
The opening was a great success. Two gents in a Polish-registered vehicle (presumably employed by RBC) kept an eye on the proceedings, but didn't seem to do much - they weren't even taking photos, let alone trying to stop anyone entering the site. Despite the competition from some minor footy game, there was a steady influx of visitors throughout the day. Attractions included much beer, excellent conversation, BBQ, plenty of food, an excellent party atmosphere and some first-rate live acoustic music.
Gregor Samsa
Comments
Hide the following 6 comments
Well done!
20.05.2007 18:46
Martyn
Wicked!
20.05.2007 21:43
reader
U R superb!
21.05.2007 05:01
Keep up the good work.
PB
thanks
21.05.2007 12:22
love n rage
purplepixie
well done
24.05.2007 11:22
clare
Brilliant!
26.05.2007 13:39
If anything, thats the hard part!
Remember, if you can develop community projects and create space for autonomy in the 'new towns' like Reading, Slough Croydon an the like, you'll make it anywhere.
...whoever laid that piece of turf closest to the wall in the second picture is abviously an asset to the movement btw.
Brett Hart
Homepage: http://www.afed.org.uk