GUERILLA GARDENERS SET UP AN ECO-VILLAGE IN BRISTO

Spotted this in Schnews, good news....I lived in St Werburghs in 1993/1994....its a great place to live, rather miss it

GIVING THE GREEN FINGER

AS GUERILLA GARDENERS SET UP AN ECO-VILLAGE IN BRISTOL...

Bristol eco-village set up camp this week with huge support from
local people and activists from all around the country. The off-grid,
urban community kicked off last Saturday (17th) on a patch of waste
land in St Werburghs - previously notorious for fly tipping, arson
attacks and hard drug users.

The 'swoop' to take the land started with activists
forming a walking block and cycle block, trailed by an obligatory
police presence. After a wild goose chase to lose the cops (who
eventually got bored and wandered off), both teams took the site at
about midday.
The first day was spent clearing the site of rubbish, yielding a
plethora of waste building materials which have been put to good use
with tyre walls for an earthship being constructed, two composting
loos on the go and recycling facilities sorted.

St. Werburghs is known for being a 'green' part of
Bristol with a city farm and a number of self-build eco-houses nearby,
so the neighbours to the site have responded with gusto. Residents
have donated tools, a grey water system and polytunnel, as well as
plants and seedlings, which were planted with help from the kids from
the primary school opposite.

Police have reacted positively to the squat and offered their support
to help prevent a planned illegal eviction on Wednesday (21st).
Bailiffs had turned up the day before and served occupants with an
eviction notice (after which a fire was mysteriously started in the
corner of the site), and a call out went out for people to help
protect the village. After a good turnout of supporters, the bailiffs
didn't show, having been served notice that the eviction would
be illegal under common and criminal law. Another attempt to evict is
expected soon, so campers are urging people to continue to respond to
call-outs.

One camper told SchNEWS that the collective plans to set up the site
with buildings and a flourishing garden, then leave it for the local
community to enjoy before moving on to another piece of derelict land
which needs regeneration. The camp invites all visitors to come for
the day or to stay for longer - so grab your tools and gardening
gloves and get down to help green-up an urban wasteland.