Kew Bridge Ecovillage: Difference between revisions
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'''Kew Bridge Ecovillage''' is an [[ecovillage]] and [[social centre]] on [[squatting|squatted]] land overlooking the [[River Thames]] at the north end of [[Kew Bridge]] in [[West London]]. |
'''Kew Bridge Ecovillage''' is an [[ecovillage]] and [[social centre]] on [[squatting|squatted]] land overlooking the [[River Thames]] at the north end of [[Kew Bridge]] in [[West London]]. |
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[[Activists]] inspired by the [[land rights]] campaign group ''[[The Land is Ours]]'' occupied the long derelict site on 6 July 2009. The [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|Royal Botanic Gardens]], the world's largest collection of living plants and pioneer of [[horticulture|horticultural preservation]], face the ecovillage site on the opposite side of the river. The community is reported as saying it wishes to demonstrate the practicality of [[permaculture]] principles, living in simple [[bender tent|bender]] structures, growing its own [[vegetables]] and [[recycling]] its waste. On May 27th 2010 bailifs and police evicted the ecovillage. Most of the occupants have now joined [[Hounslow |
[[Activists]] inspired by the [[land rights]] campaign group ''[[The Land is Ours]]'' occupied the long derelict site on 6 July 2009. The [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|Royal Botanic Gardens]], the world's largest collection of living plants and pioneer of [[horticulture|horticultural preservation]], face the ecovillage site on the opposite side of the river. The community is reported as saying it wishes to demonstrate the practicality of [[permaculture]] principles, living in simple [[bender tent|bender]] structures, growing its own [[vegetables]] and [[recycling]] its waste. On May 27th 2010 bailifs and police evicted the ecovillage. Most of the occupants have now joined [[Hounslow community land project]] and Parlaiment Square's Democracy Village.<ref> |
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[http://www.hounslowandbrentfordtimes.co.uk/news/hounslow/8179989.Eco_villagers_prepare_to_leave_after_court_ruling/ - The Hounslow and Brentford Times - Eco Villagers prepare to leave after court ruling]</ref> |
[http://www.hounslowandbrentfordtimes.co.uk/news/hounslow/8179989.Eco_villagers_prepare_to_leave_after_court_ruling/ - The Hounslow and Brentford Times - Eco Villagers prepare to leave after court ruling]</ref> |
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Revision as of 20:00, 27 May 2010
Kew Bridge Ecovillage is an ecovillage and social centre on squatted land overlooking the River Thames at the north end of Kew Bridge in West London.
Activists inspired by the land rights campaign group The Land is Ours occupied the long derelict site on 6 July 2009. The Royal Botanic Gardens, the world's largest collection of living plants and pioneer of horticultural preservation, face the ecovillage site on the opposite side of the river. The community is reported as saying it wishes to demonstrate the practicality of permaculture principles, living in simple bender structures, growing its own vegetables and recycling its waste. On May 27th 2010 bailifs and police evicted the ecovillage. Most of the occupants have now joined Hounslow community land project and Parlaiment Square's Democracy Village.[1]
The site
The approximately one-acre brownfield site, formerly occupied by the Scottish Widows insurance company, is reported to have been vacant for more than 20 years. As of the 17th of February 2010 the current owners, the property development company St George, have received planning plans for 164 flats, a business centre, gym and pub.[2]On the 26th of March 2010 representatives of St. George PLC met with members of the ecovillage and informed them of plans for court proceedings and building to start in May. Currently the ecovillage residents are making plans for peaceful resistance.[3]
The residents
In December 2009 the ecovillage had 32 permanent residents. Structures include a shower, compost toilet, and kitchen, mostly bender tents made from tree branches and recycled materials. Consensus decision making is the basis for community organisation, informed by an intention to live a more simple and eco-friendly existence. Food supply is augmented by regular trips to local grocery bins and skips, some residents describing themselves as freegans. The community includes some previously homeless; others left houses and jobs in order to apply on a daily basis principles of anti-consumerism.[4]
Community events
The ecovillage conducts a programme of events that have included arts and crafts workshops, film shows, yoga and face-painting classes, pagan festivals, live poetry and music. It has also commenced an annual seed swap.[5] Kew Gardens itself (see above) houses one of the world's largest seedbanks.