Museums And Archives

A Story of Squatters

The project will tell the story of how a community of squatters saved their derelict homes from demolition and created a vibrant community from them which today, as the fully mutual housing co-operative Grand Union, provides secure and sustainable social housing for future generations. Local volunteers will be trained to collect and preserve the photographs, oral histories and personal ephemera of residents from the 1970s to today, documenting the restoration of homes and the rich community life of the area, and to make short films about the history. The project will culminate in an online resource, public exhibition and a series of events at Four Corners and Grand Union’s community centre. It will build pride amongst local residents about their history but will also be of interest to a wider public who will be inspired by the story of how people came together to save and transform condemned Victorian properties.