They’ve taken our ghettos;
A punk history of Woodberry Down Estate
Active Distribution
Punk rock means so much to me. It’s not a dictionary defined experience and I’ve put a fanzine together asking many for their views on it. For most it comes down to doing what you want to do without impinging in others freedoms. I fell very comfortable in the punk rock community although my actions are alien to many of my comrades in the community.
I don’t drink alcohol, don’t smoke or take drugs unless it helps my blood pressure. I own a house, have a full time job and am parent to three amazing kids with a wife who I can’t imagine life without. For me freedom is something that comes with decision making and an aspiration to making this world a better place for my kids to grow up in.
The punk in this booklet is nearly the complete opposite. It is a tale of squatting, daily drug taking and not having to concern oneself with bills, rent or in many cases food. The collection of writers all hark back to the days squatting in north London and view their tales as ones of freedom. For me the chains of society were all still there and the communities with people living in them were still struggling through daily life. I’m amazed that some of the people can remember the detail as it seems most of their day was spent in discomfort due to hunger or cold or drugs.
An 84 page booklet reminiscing about a time of perceived freedom for a group
niallhope
Thank you for that piece. Very interesting. A sobering report on C4 News last evening on the terrible drug problem in Dundee – four people have died there since the start of the year from addiction (mainly heroin and valium being mixed). A couple were interviewed on the street and their chaotic way of life was harrowing to watch. They’ll probably be lucky to see out the year. Another important point of the report was the awful stigma addicts are hit with. We need to try to see them – difficult as it may be at times – as ordinary people like you or I. A very depressing scenario emerges whenever a light is shone on the subject of hard drug taking. A recovered addict was then interviewed in studio and he told his story of how he got over his addiction at aged 57. In short it was love. This is how he was saved and maybe if more addicts had his experience they could be saved too. So a very positive ending to what started as an intensely depressing report. I was losing my faith in C4 News, but now restored after last night. Solidarity with anyone that’s got addiction and/or mental health issues.