Information about some of the organisations referenced in the poster archive is provided below
The Factory
The Factory became home and host to theatre, carnival and music bands including The101’ers, Aswad, Pip Simmons Theatre, the People’s Show, Black Theatre Coop and Sukuya alongside a panoply of christenings, wakes, boisterous domino competitions, film screenings, poetry readings and parties. In 1979, the space became Yaa Asantewaa Arts & Community Centre, subsequently shortened to Yaa Centre. Today the organisation is a centre for carnival arts.
510 Centre (510 Harrow Rd, W9, 1975-87)
510 was a neighbourhood advice centre, funded by the local authority and local charities, which operated during 1975 to 1987 from 510 Harrow Road, W9. The centre was home to many local organisations including women’s groups, anti-racism and housing campaigns. It provided meeting rooms for activists, rehearsal space for musicians, and shelter for the North Paddington Community Darkroom.
In 1976, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea councils’ offered artist Jamie McColloch a semi-derelict strip of land perched between the Grand Union canal and the Great Western railway for conversion in to a temporary park. Almost four decades later, ‘Meanwhile Gardens’ is a permanent urban feature and home to many communities vegetable, insect, animal and human. Contemporary life in the gardens is captured in the 1981 Channel Four commissioned a documentary film by Steve Shaw, Live in the Gardens.
North Paddington Community Darkroom ((NPCD))
North Paddington Community Darkroom (NPCD) was established in 1976 by documentary photographer Philip Wolmuth. The project was influential in the community photography movement of the 1970s which saw a convergence of political and artistic concerns whilst drawing on the economic and political upheavals of the decade. The NPCD was later known as Photoworks Westminster. An archive is maintained by The Bishopgate Institute.
That Tea Room
A wholefood community café run from a squatted shop in Great Western Road, which was a hub for local squatters and creatives including local musicians such as Tymon Dogg, The 101’ers and their lead singer Woody AKA Joe Strummer.
Founded in 1967, Release is national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law. During the 1970s and 80’s the organization provided education and advice about drugs through a nationwide network of volunteer lawyers and legal advisors. The organisation additionally rented office space to organisations such as Advisory Service for Squatters and Campaign Against A Criminal Trespass Law.
Campaign Against a Criminal Trespass Law (CACTL) 1976 to 78
A campaign against proposed legislation to criminalize trespass that would dramatically restrict squatting and the occupation of factories, educational premises, offices etc.
Advisory Service for Squatters (ASS)
Founded in 1975, and still operating ASS, provides legal advice and support for squatters via a network of volunteers and a website. ASS publishes The Squatters Handbook,
Address: Angel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX.
- Phone: 07545508628
- Website https://www.squatter.org.uk/
- Email: advice4squatters@gmail.com
Walterton and Elgin Community Action Group WEAG and Walterton and Elgin Community Homes WECH
A community organisation formed in opposition to the sale and privatization of Council owned properties in 1983. The organisation sustained a six-year campaign, which ultimately lead to revelations of an official policy of gerrymandering pursued by the Conservative party council in Westminster. The residents subsequently gained ownership control their own estate, and their organisation become a model of resident controlled social housing.
photo by Philip Wolmuth