The wombles occupied social centre in Tufnel Park was forced to close it's doors to under 16s today....
The daily struggles of the occupied social centre in what used to be the Grand Banks wine bar continued today with a visit from the local school policeman, PC Burns. He insisted that if under 16s continue to be allowed to enter the building, he would have the place shut down with some kind of fast track order by the local authority. This appears to be a boggus threat as the issues raised about insurance would apply to a sixteen year old or an adult just as much as to somebody under 16. However those on shift at the social centre today choose to await legal advice and relunctantly close the doors to under sixteens.
Until now, kids from the local school have come to the centre at lunch time and sometimes after school, to eat lunch, watch videos and hang out. The six formers also use the social centre in increasing numbers; chating, reading, studying and enjoying the freetrade organic zapatista coffee.
Hopefully a bit of research will prove that the threats are not based on law and the social centre will be able to continued to be enjoyed by those under 16 who certainly need such as space as much if not more than others.
If anyone has any legal knowledge about this area of things, please contact the social centre or the wombles.
Until now, kids from the local school have come to the centre at lunch time and sometimes after school, to eat lunch, watch videos and hang out. The six formers also use the social centre in increasing numbers; chating, reading, studying and enjoying the freetrade organic zapatista coffee.
Hopefully a bit of research will prove that the threats are not based on law and the social centre will be able to continued to be enjoyed by those under 16 who certainly need such as space as much if not more than others.
If anyone has any legal knowledge about this area of things, please contact the social centre or the wombles.
Comments
Hide the following 5 comments
what a great place for kids!
25.03.2004 14:17
It is a wonderful place you have there.
un
Keep Tom's Memory Alive
25.03.2004 14:32
Mrs.Tufnell Park
how "protection " legislation is used
26.03.2004 12:19
the dark one
Social Centres subtle resistance
27.03.2004 13:21
Soup and fruit juice was served to in the street outside on friday and the result is that the kids still got access to food and many more people are aware of the centre and whats going on.
The social centre has not yet had definitive legal advice regarding possible children protection orders but expect to get help on monday. there is reason to believe that the threats are basically a toothless bluff and if the advice confirms this then you can be sure that the social centre will resist the unreasonable and prejudiced demands of the school.
However, there are issues to be addressed regarding the kids as the social centre is not a youth club and there is a danger that the other fuctions of the space are harmed by the regular attendance of 50 plus children.
R
in reply to R
27.03.2004 14:27
all my comment was trying to ppoint out is that the future of state control will not be like the crude totalitarianism of the recent past; itll be steeped in "caring" and "protection" of the "vulnerable" and the "victims". what you face is an advance example of it.
the dark one