Friday 30 April 2010

Montly (or thereabouts) round-up

Bit late on this one this month folks . . . well, here we go:

Some nice images of the Heygate from james_rawimages

Nice photo essay of remaining residents from Yimmit Photography

From Milkshake: the Heygate wind turbine produced half the electricity as originally predicted

According to the Worker's Revolutionary Party, heat and hot water shut off 'permanently' and coucil sends out notice promising 'alternative arrangements. Interview with some remaining tennants.  This confirmed by Southwark News. Also,  from Southwark News: 'Waiting for new home mental torture' says Estate pensioner.'

Empty Heygate Estate by photographer Zara Lloyd

From People's Republic of Southwark: Heygate Myths.  According to an MORI poll, 11 years ago, 55% of Heygate residents were satisfied with life on the estate, undermining the myth of the 'infamous' Heygate sink estate promulgated by the media.

Views from the roof of the Heygate 

Arty Elephants from Southwark News

And last, but certainly not least, the Original HeygateSE17 has now reached 501 members (thus giving more backing to the 'Heygate Myths'.

All for now - I'll try to get up to speed this month with another post in a couple of weeks.

Monday 22 March 2010

Monthly (or thereabouts) round-up


Photo: Will Montgomery (shot early morning on the Heygate).

Utopia Revisited: an evocative short of the Heygate by Dan Tassell. Post by Dan at Captured City blog detailing his latest return to the Heygate.

Will Montgomery has an exhibit with Owen Hatherley (author of Militant Modernism) at the Southbank Centre on April 21st. From the program notes:
Will Montgomery presents a sound-art piece recorded and shot at the various locales in Elephant and Castle - one of the most contested public spaces in London's history. Using field recordings combined with architectural imagery, Montgomery presents the work and then talks to Owen Hatherley, author of Militant Modernism.

London SE1: Final regeneration deal between Lend Lease and Southwark Council postponed until after elections. From Southwark News: Eviction Notices In as Demolitions Start

From Milkshake: The Tower Block. Fascinating ebook.

random at theatre local, Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre. 
See Random review here.

Some references to music videos on the Heygate on dissensus.com, including a video by Madonna! Who knew? Madge gets down on the estate stairwells at 00:45.

Estates Gazette: All go at the Elephant crows on about the Strata Tower. Asking price at the Strata: A cool half million pounds. According to the related Times article 'The High Life in the Elephant and Castle', 20 of the 310 flats in the Strata are reserved for former residents of the Heygate. Another 98 'affordable flats' are to be launched.

More pictures and descriptions of the view from the Strata at Londonist

Shank and the perils of shooting on location Remaining Heygate residents called in the police after a mock gang war breaks out on the estate. Shank is  a dystopian drama set in the future when the divide between rich and poor have grown to massive proportions. Wait! That sounds like now!

More nice pics of Heygate and Strata from skyscraper city

Last but certainly not least: The Original Heygate SE17 Facebook group is up to 505 members!

Wednesday 24 February 2010

Monthly (or thereabouts) round-up

Excellent write-up from London blogger Joshua Surtees walking around the estate. He interviews a couple of remaining residents. 

From Southwark Notes: A history of the Heygate regeneration

An amazing slide show from Milkshake, Heygate plans first in 2009, then 1969: 'First as tragedy, then as farce'.

A couple of art projects involving the Heygate: 

matteo borzone's collage of garage doors from the Heygate

A fictional re-inhabitation of the estate 

A documentary series called HAM, by William Williamson. HAM episode 1, is divided between the Heygate estate and Commercial street. 

Photography:

Photographer Mauro Battoro's series: Mainliners.

An amateur slide show of the estate early this year.

Latecomer: fellow named gaskinz on flickr

Yet more filming on the Heygate: The Bill

And last, but certainly not least: Facebook group The Original Heygate SE17 is close to 500 members!

Monday 1 February 2010

Update (monthly or thereabouts)

At last an update . . .

What with the hols and being ill for weeks after said hols, I haven't had the energy to update this blog. But not much in the news has come my way either . . .

A couple of things

From the South London Press : Facebook group for the Heygate Estate.

As of this writing, 412 former residents of the Heygate Estate have joined a group called 'The Original Heygate SE17

Another Elephant-related facebook group: The Elephant and Castle is a dump but we like it that way

From Southark News: 'Council Looks to Government for 'payment holiday' on Debt'

Apparently, Southwark council is still paying off the debt, with interest, incurred 50 years ago to build, among other things, the North Peckham Estate and the Heygate.