the park and nearby roads being designated as open space. Many residents found themselves at risk from relocation and their homes being destroyed. This created an environment of uncertainty and planning blight. Whittington Park was created in 1954. By the 1970s, the area was still suffering from dereliction and crime, particularly among young people. By 1971, growing discontent led to a movement of resistance from which emerged the WPCA. “At times it comes about that Majorettes and the Whittington Cat (containing award-winning actor Tom Wilkinson) lead the in certain places a movement Whittington Park Community Association festival procession down Road in 1978 begins seemingly out of nothing,” says Phil Miles, founding member of WPCA “WPCA … began as a protest, Pride and resistance an expression of frustration and annoyance at neglect and uncertainty in the district. “For years, the ageing area, An archive of community activism was accidently discovered with the threat of compulsory by Katia Lom in the loft of Whittington Community Centre. purchase and demolition hanging over it, had become run down. She tells the story of people who stood up for their area The worst four streets had already been demolished for the start of a 20-acre park, but that area was ast autumn, I found a artwork. I staged an exhibition of Girl with cat already derelict, while the rest, portfolio in the commu- some of the photographs in the probably at the quite substantial Victorian nity centre loft. Inside community centre, which is now WPCA Festival housing stock of real potential, was a gem: nearly 300 on permanent display. pet show 1973; faced an uncertain future…. This adventure photographs, mostly in I began to piece together the affected virtually the whole area playground, black and white from the 1970s, history behind the photos with north of Tytherton Road and L 1979 of festival scenes in Whittington the assistance of Tim Coles, a Wedmore Street from Campdale Park, beautiful hand-drawn postgraduate student at the CASS, Road to .” posters, newsletters and original and firsthand accounts of the Local residents recognised that centre’s founding members and the area had problems. However, people who had used its services. they opposed most of the open Whittington Park Community space designations as this would Association (WPCA) was break up the community and established on 19 September most did not want to leave. 1972. It used the same buildings (dating back to the 1800s) as today to run its many activities. However, the area itself was quite different. Until the 1970s, the area around Whittington Park was described as being close to a slum. The years after World War II had been particularly difficult as it had been bombed. This was exacerbated when, in 1944, Sir Patrick Abercrombie drew up the Greater Plan. This led to both demolished and occupied homes in what is now

12 Journal of the Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2013 Vol 3 No 3 Ann Wilson, a member of the force in establishing the group. WPCA’s over 60s’ lunch club, She put great efforts into recalls how her house – securing a licence from Islington designated for open space – was Council to use the building that scheduled for demolition, and is still used by the association At the festivals: residents in association with the how, following WPCA today. As Phil Miles states, Emily pram race, WPCA to oppose the council’s campaigns, she has remained “practically crucified herself in 1973; Bees proposals for the further extension Make Honey there since. Rupert Road efforts to keep things going”. of Whittington Park which would perform at the residents held organised regular One of WPCA’s first projects  adventure require demolition of houses in “Rupert Road reunions” after to come to fruition was an playground, Foxham Road, in Beversbrook their homes were demolished. adventure playground in the 1974; Emily Road and in Yerbury Road.” Residents began to meet park. Soon after it opened, local Hope with Eventually, WPCA’s efforts regularly in earnest in 1971, with police found crime in the area fell. mayor Harry were successful and Whittington the goal of resisting the council’s Other activities were set up in Reid and the Park covered just 10 acres. Even planning schemes. They also the centre, including a lunch club mayoress, 1973 though much housing had been decided to develop services for for over 60s where people could destroyed, Tytherton Road, the community and improve the Yerbury Road, Wedmore Street, area, and started a newsletter. Foxham Road and Beversbrook This group named itself the Road were spared and their open Whittington Park Action Group. It space designation was removed. did not have a building; meetings Although it had started out by were held in people’s houses, protesting against Islington’s sometimes even in their cars. plans, WPCA relies on council The group pressed for All Saints funding to support its work. Church Hall (where the nursery, Managing this dichotomy is also cafe and lounge are today) to seen as a great achievement. become a community centre, and Another achievement may be this led to the formation of how, by giving a place for people WPCA. The group remained in have freshly cooked meals, a one of all ages, WPCA showed how a existence to campaign on local o’clock club and the Butterfly community can transform itself issues, especially the open space Nursery (today the independent by its own motivations, designations. Leaping Lizards Day Nursery). benefiting generations to come. n One member of this group was From 1973 to the late 1980s, Emily Hope. She and her WPCA ran a popular annual Katia Lom is project development husband Tom had recently summer festival in Whittington and administrative support worker settled in the area. Emily was an Park, which at its height attracted at WPCA. The archive can be seen American and a graduate of Vassar over 10,000 people. at the Bishopsgate Institute: www. College in the US. Her education The catalyst that first brought bishopsgate.org.uk, 020 7392 9270 and cultural experience of 1960s local residents together – housing political trends, in the US and demolition – stayed active well Sources London in the women’s into the mid 1970s. As the Firsthand accounts from Phil Miles, Tom Hope, Ann Wilson and Bert Gafney movement, meant she brought October 1975 WPCA Newsletter WPCA archive and newsletters tremendous energy and expertise attests: “1,057 people signed a Islington Tribune to the project. She was a main petition organised by local Islington Council archive WPCA all courtesy of the all other photographs; unknown photographer Tracy; and Emily Hope: John race Girl with cat, pram

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