The Doddington and Rollo estate in south London.
Built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. There is no sense of community here. It represents a failed social structure.
Gangs of youths congregate near the shops - these young people have been identified as impetuous and confrontational (drug abuse, truancy and crime are endemic). Community resources open, run for a short period, then close (closed retirement home, closed housing support office, closed counselling centre, closed job club, locked play areas, garden closed due to "health & safety" etc). There is however a public library which MUST be retained.
A failed social structure, but not absolutely collapsed. The failure is one of vision and leadership, with no "establishment" figures living among the people. Political activity (not that there is much) seems to consist of perennial protest - and this resentment theme encourages residents to see themselves as victims.
Sport, culture and a drive to national integration could redeem this community, but too many vested interests want to keep things as they are.
7 comments:
Two years on and I can't see the Doddington and Rollo Estate that you describe. I look out the window of our shoe shop that serves not just the estate residents, but also those from the wider community and beyond and also across Battersea Park Road, towards Battersea Park, and I see children, playing, parents talking to one another from all races and classes. it is alive, not without its issues and problems, but just so alive with positivity. We look forward to meeting your footwear requirements someday. Also, the is the DRCA Business and Community Centre. In there, you will find craft and business people serving the immediate and wider community with products and services that are legitimate and well welcomed.
That's great to hear.
Perhaps the change of government has shaken things up a bit, with more power and responsibility devolved down to local authorities - this is the key to regeneration, rather than everything being run from the centre.
Also in a funny sort of way the prospect of public spending cuts often motivates councils to do things (spending money in case they lose it).
However the positive picture you record is in daylight - the night-time experience of estates can sometimes be very different.
Governements will come and go, local and national. That is our system of political process. It's really about the people that live, work and visit the Doddington and Rollo Estate. It is these people whom make the place what it is, their attitudes, perceptions and behaviour. This morning whilst having my morning coffee outside on the square, I witnessed a scene most beautiful. The children from our local nursery all came out on their scooters and gently made their way across the square under the dedicated attention of the ladies who look after them during their stay. BEAUTIFUL
As for night time. Well, I've been in and out of the estate at all hours of the night with no incidents. The environment is not the most user friendly but that is not the creation of those who live, work and visit the estate. I find acknowledging the existence of all that I pass a wonderful thing. It means that you are actually engaging with one's fellow humans. Sadly this is a trait that seems to have diminished in London. This is a shame and perhaps we should all try to do so as it sets a positive foundation rather than a negative one for example, such as commentary at an unnecessary distance. The Doddington and Rollo LIVES and I and many others are glad and proud to be playing a positive contribution to its existence, day or night.
I lived in the area for 6years now and I would not even begin to understand why Andrew would say "there is no sence of community" its a bit disturbing to hear and hard to swalow for me.
I think you should come and see how well functioning the community by just coming and sitting in the square one afternoon and seeing the children playing care free and with no harm in therir way.
Glad things are working out for you Antony and H - perhaps you are building the Big Society everyone is talking about.
For the record, I did visit the square and saw no children and the play areas were locked. There was one person sitting on one of the benches.
There was a police raid on gang members on the Doddington & Rollo estate on 30th March 2011 (eight or nine weeks ago) which was attended by the Deputy Mayor of London. The Evening Standard said "officers found 30 drug wraps and dealing kits" at this one address. These gangs are targetting children, recruiting children and supplying drugs to children.
So certainly celebrate the innocence of the children you see when you have your morning coffee, but don't bury your head in the sand.
Andrew
The nation has laws and the law enforment authorities have the duty of enforcing those laws. As for one's head being in the sand, somehow I believe not. What you saw when you visited the square on the estate is not the do all and absolute. There are negative aspects but these are more than outweighed by the positive.
Glad everything's working out for you.
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