The Length of Parade

Being actively involved in the Crystal Palace Campaign I produced publicity material for it. The Campaign could claim a circulation of over 40,000 for its newsletter, whilst its Public Meetings had attendees of over thousand.

A seminal time for the park came in the late 1980’s when the Greater London Council who at that time owned the park was abolished. The park now passed to the control of Bromley Borough Council. The council decided they wanted to develop the top of the park. International architect Ian Ritchie won the competition, which turned out to be a poisoned chalice. Suddenly local people realised their beloved space with its long ranging views into the Kent countryside was going to be commercially developed. They formed into a coherent group and the battle began. Direct peaceful action, fundraising, legal action in the High Court, Parliament, Europe, and more, all took place to bring this site to where it is today. The large commercial development will not take place, but the future of the site at the moment remains unknown. A dialogue between the local people and the council has been established and continues. There is a full spectrum of opinion from the council who want to build, to the individuals who want “not a blade of grass touched”.

As an active member of the group I became motivated to record what was here in case it should be lost. I began sketching small quick watercolours of the plants growing. In doing so, became more attached, noting the wildlife the birds, the insects, that lived here. Even the crows that were once wary of me now recognise me and take no notice of me. But the sketching was to slow, the builders might move in at any time; I had to use the camera.
This now gave me a different focus to the lie of the land of this twelve-acre site. I would get up before sunrise to capture that moment of light, would visit when storm clouds gathered or wispy cirrus clouds gave the sky a rippled look. I would be the first to visit when snow had just fallen or want to find that special composition of photograph that hadn’t been seen before. I photographed all the trees, some were behind fencing to keep us out, I photographed every angle, every mood, and everything I could think of. I had wanted to be involved, not emotionally involved, but now my emotions had become inextricably linked with this little scrap of land and what grows and lives there.
I’ve pulled away now, a little, but still visit, still photograph, still do what I can, and know that if this place is ever developed, know that I have seen the beauty here, have recorded it in its entirety without alteration. For today the space remains, the beauty is here and the local people care and strive to keep it.

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