Pure Genius - One Year On   Peter Marshall   5 May 97



This was the first anniversary of the occupation by The Land Is Ours activists of the Guiness-owned Gargoyle Wharf site adjoining Wandsworth Bridge on the south bank of the Thames in London, about a mile or so up-river from the Houses of Parliament.
preparing seed bombs. Picture © Peter Marshall making tree spears. Picture © Peter Marshall

For 5 months on this derelict site the occupiers were busy creating the Wandsworth Eco-village, London's first Permaculture Visitors' Centre, a vibrant and exciting community under development, until the landowners evicted them in October 1996, bulldozing everthing - gardens and buildings etc. The owners application for planning permission for a large supermarket has been turned down following a Public Inquiry and the future of the site remains uncertain.

At the assembly point in a South Park, Fulham, protesters fill bags with earth containing plant and tree seeds to attempt to renew growth on the currently empty site.



Picture © Peter Marshall Picture © Peter Marshall
Picture © Peter Marshall Picture © Peter Marshall


The march set off, escorted by police who clear a path through the traffic, walking across Wandsworth Bridge to the Guiness site



Picture © Peter Marshall When the march reached Gargoyle Wharf, the bags packed with earth and seeds were thrown over the high fence onto the site.

Not everyone managed to get all of their earth and seeds over the fence!

Picture © Peter Marshall



Picture © Peter Marshall Picture © Peter Marshall
The site was surrounded by Police, and inside were a number of Security Guards and more Police. At the main gate we stopped and peered through. It looked incredibly bleak and empty - flatttened derelict ground where seven months ago had been a thriving and growing community, with gardens, houses, tents and other structures, people cooking, kids playing... Picture © Peter Marshall
Picture © Peter Marshall Following a public meeting in March 97, local residents, particularly from the flats opposite, have formed the Gargoyle Wharf Community Action Group which supported the occupation. They want to see the land used for the benefit of the local community rather than simply to make large profits for the landowners.
Picture © Peter Marshall Picture © Peter Marshall

Picture © Peter Marshall Picture © Peter Marshall
After the march there was a fair in York Gardens organized by Pure Genius and the Gargoyle Wharf Community Action Group with displays of press coverage of 'Pure Genius', music, games, food, drink and talk. Picture © Peter Marshall


For more information about The Land Is Ours