ELEPHANT PARK (LONDON)

Cherry

By Linda Wigzell Cress

Wed, 27 Jul 2016
  • 12627 reads
24 comments
 

Hustling, bustling seventies

Modern homes for families

Childrens’ playgrounds on green spaces;

Psychedelia, smiling faces

Council flats for local folk –

Looking back now, what a joke!

Come the nineties, fear and crime,

Drugs, used needles, dirt and grime.

The place ain’t what it used to be

The Heygate Road Community

Is splitting up, there is no doubt

Some people can’t wait to move out.

 

By the naughties it’s all rack and ruin.

Repairs and security not worth pursuing

Graffiti splashed wildly on every wall

And the Borough Council don’t care at all;

They’re eager for regeneration

With no thought for the population -

London folk, who’ve been here years

Nobody listens to their fears;

They remember terraced homes squashed flat –

Hitler’s Luftwaffe saw to that.

.

So many tenants still want to stay

Though the council bids them: ‘Go Away’

But soon most of the homes are dark -

There’s bold, bright plans for ‘Elephant Park’!

With ‘affordable’ homes at impossible cost

In place of council homes now lost.

The council trumpets various schemes

To help fulfil South London dreams –

But as new towers rise up high

Hardly any locals qualify!

Everyone makes this observation-

‘What they really want is gentrification!’

Bankers in, and workers out

That’s what Elephant Park’s about.

 

And now the place is nearly done.

Great ugly blocks where there were none

From Walworth to the New Kent Road;

More concrete where canals once flowed.

It may be nice when it is finished

But I fear its soul will be diminished.

Homes for the elite is The Elephant’s fate

Class cleansing of the Heygate Estate.

Certificate U
Poem
POETRY
Rant

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This isn't for the competition is it Linda?

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Yes it is for the comp Ipf. Their doesnt seem to be a completion box to tick in the genre category, jolono advised me to put London after the title

Linda

Submitted by jolono on

Oh yes Linda. Can relate to this very well, Know the area and the people. "Salt of the earth."

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Yep Joe my family are all from round there! Some lived in Heygate Road where a bomb fell. Oh and see insertpfs comment above. Seems to be a little confusion about entries.

Linda

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Linda if you go to edit, then scroll down and select 'flags' and flag it as in the competition - have you paid your entry fee yet?

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Yes I have paid for this and a story entry. Didn't look at the flags was going by original instructions to click completion on Genre! Will look now. Thanks

Linda

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

if you have a problem, let me know and I'll do it for you

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Done!

Linda

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

it's all the same really - just makes it easier for Joe when he comes to judge, as they will all be there with one click

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

So many 'grand schemes' seem to become white (or grey) elephants. I suppose the post-war renovation was in haste, and also maybe it was rebuilding the community spirit that needed attention too. 'Better builds' can so easily become the unaffordable. Interesting to read an eye-witness view. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Hi Rhiannon.  We can only hope something good will arise from the ashes.  I'm afraid the community is beyond repair. Sad.  Thanks for commenting

Linda

Submitted by Ed Crane on

Haven't been there for years,as an outsider from the "souf-east" suburbs I found it a fascinating area.

Capitalism stikes again I guess.crying

Good rant and good luck, Lindy,

 

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Hi Ed.  The Elephant and Castle area is pretty run down.  However 'lovely' new tower blocks for those who can afford them are springing up all over.  Cycle super highways have ruined traffic flow.  Its a mess.  All the nice old buildings going.  Sighs deeply.  Thanks for commenting!

Linda

Submitted by The royster on

Yep, excellent as always Linda.  And true of other areas too no doubt.  Good ol' Lewisham.  Yer ol' mate. Rx

 

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Hi mate.  Lewisham last time I saw it a year or so back is a mess. The big roundabout outside the hole that was the Odeon has been demolished and traffic is appalling.  That's progress for you.  And I've begun a Blog if you fancy a read.  Hope all well chez vouz in the fens.

Linda

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

And by the way The Royster me old mate, you're a Londoner as much as me, let's see your entry, you're a fair old scribbler yourself! Got til saturday

Linda

Submitted by The royster on

Oh yeh!  they've also stuck a light railway station where my favorite pub used to be. Sacre Bleu!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I haven't been back for yonks, Linda, and it would grieve me to witness such shambolic sights. Maybe I was seeing London - where I lived and worked for many years in the sixties - with rose tinted glasses, or was living in more salubrious areas, but I seem to remember a vibrant city full of attractions and 'get up and go' people. But then I am a romantic at heart and perhaps I have forgotten the bad side.

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Hi Luigi.  It might be nice when finished. Right next to the boarded up ancient and lovely old Lambeth Town Hall which is still waiting for renovation after a fire some years back.  I bet the developers have got their eyes on that too.

Linda

Submitted by jolono on

A lot of my mates were from the Rockingham Estate and for a short while I lived on Harper Road ( years ago), so I know the area quite well. Great read Linda and once again thanks for entering the Comp.

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

There was a loit to be said about these big estates. Not all good. Cheers Joe for comments and cherries

 

Linda

Submitted by The royster on

Hey Linda,  we both got Cherries.  Yipeeeee, my 3rd.  xx

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Toldya you're a fair old scribbler The Royster! Didya find the Secrets?

Linda

Submitted by The royster on

Bless ya Linda. Don't think I'll reach your standard though. Think I've got the bug again.   Yes thanks I did find Secrets.   I was thinking of adding part 3 but it's getting a bit too personal. know what I mean.   Will e mail.   Rx