Had a depressing conversation with a resident from BS yesterday in a local caff. He said that local youth have been seen on cctv climbing over the gate, vandalising flowerbeds, bikes have gone missing, and some of the residents have been approached late at night in an intimidating way. There have also been attempts to remove the heavy oak benches from within the square. He commented that the people doing these things are jealous of them. Anyway, on to the depressing part - residents at BS are now saying that they want the barrier block pulled down, as they're finding it's not so much fun living opposite a council estate in the most deprived ward in Lambeth. According to this bloke, there are plans to sell off Southwyck House. Is there any truth in this?
We had a rather robust debate about gentrification, the kinds of new people coming in, their apparent lack of interest in the local community, and the impact on our community. It was a challenge keeping calm, tho' when he talked about the crime being meted out on them by people from Somerleyton/Moorlands, I had to ask him why they moved to this area in the first place. I also pointed out that some of these newcomers need to learn some manners, and that there are plenty of people locally who might offer some guidance on this. Tho' he seemed like an ok bloke on some levels, what was really galling was his absolute sense of entitlement, matched only by a total lack of empathy for the people who will be displaced as a result of these changes.
