The Market - Estate of Shock! North Road, London Borough of Islington, London N7, UK - Sept 8th 2004 (The Coombe House Initiative does not accept accountability for the content of external site material)
Today marks four years since the tragic accident in the Southdown block of The Market Estate, which caused the death of 12 year old Christopher Pullen. Our hearts and minds are with his mother, family and surviving community. We would also like to thank the Highbury & Islington Express for their assistance in highlighting some of the issues below, which has already elicited repairs at Southdown that had been unresolved for several months. Hover mouse over images to reveal alternatives, click to open original images in new windows.
In the weeks immediately following the launch of TCHI we received many encouraging and much appreciated messages. Some were from far and wide, some from other Islington residents shocked by the images of Coombe House in April this year. Many shared their experiences and concerns for other parts of the borough. Many people spoke to me about conditions on The Market Estate.
Half a Tale of Two Cities: "...it was the worst of times..." One month after the launch of TCHI, Islington Gazette Published a story by Ollie Lane entitled "A TALE OF TWO CITIES". It informed us that Islington was the 8th poorest borough in England and compared the squalid living conditions on the Market Estate with the affluence of Barnsbury, Islington - Tony Blair's former locality. Steve Hitchins, Lib Dem Leader of Islington Council, cited high unemployment across London as the reason, which I described as making no sense in a letter published in a subsequent edition. Four months on and the appearance of this location is completely unchanged. On almost every accessible wall space the branding of criminal occupation is emblazoned like territorial boundary warnings. Virtually every pane of glass at ground level is smashed or missing, and broken windows are to be seen from ground to sky.
Prepare to be Shocked! I accept that the risk of Southdown being struck by lightning may be remote, but for the four months that I have been visiting The Market Estate, this conductor has been swinging in the breeze. Just another oversight on multiple estate inspections by the housing services department, or will they say "the tenant never reported it"? It typifies the feeling of danger from every aspect, but sights like this are particularly disconcerting when the welfare of all is undermined by neglect, apathy, and in many cases even contempt.
Welcome to Southdown I have to say that describing conditions at Coombe House as "desperate" must mean that the Market Estate is off the scale with filth and grime from floor to ceiling, or rather what's left of the ceiling! The alternate image is just outside the lift in Southdown. The extensive build-up of grime is obvious, but the camera just can't capture the stench of vaporising urine as you wait for the lift on a hot day. What would the visitors from Barnsbury make of it at all? I mean it simply isn't good enough, to say "it simply isn't good enough!". This is the world outside your window, except here they don't so much twist in sobriety as spasm in insobriety. TV's in homes on The Market Estate show all the home improvement programmes, and what you can do with your garden... just sustaining the will to live is a challenge when somewhere like this is your home.
Scandalous? Shameless! Today marks the fourth anniversary of the accident, which led to Christopher's death five days later. Many people of Islington will remember the story of the tragic and very controversial circumstances surrounding the death of 12 year old Christopher Pullen. A campaign was started by IWCA , but a judicial review returned a verdict of accidental death. Since my first visit in May to the fourth floor of Southdown there have been no upper window panels. Although the figure in the picture is adult, the picture (right) demonstrates, the lower ledge is only about two feet from a long and sheer drop. Since the High&I article on August 27th, all of these panels have been boarded up by the council, but do they only perform reactive work? When did they last visit the notorious Market Estate.
Don't take me to the bridge! The main picture (right) more clearly shows the empty window frames on the walkway on the fourth floor of Southdown. I should also say that a walk along the subsequent corridor can be nauseating, and evoke a wide range of emotions, from fear to revulsion. There is no natural light or ventilation along the corridor, and of course years and years of chewing gum. Apart from the potential for further accidental death to children, when my colleague and I visited this scene on August 18th, there was a group of approx 10 older youths who could have easily taken issue with the "intruders" and dropped us from this great height. Feeling decidedly vulnerable in this open walkway, I stated my purpose (to photograph the "windows"); they appreciated my efforts and all quietly and suddenly descended to the front courtyard, before a group of younger teenagers began to follow us through the vile corridors of terror. The alternate image shows what's left of the windows - a hazard in its own sharp way, just not quite as much as the drop behind them.
Pressing for a Response: I advised the Highbury and Islington Express that The Coombe House Initiative was intending to focus on conditions at The Market Estate, four years since the death of young Christopher. The High&I published the article on Friday Aug 27th, and on Friday Sept 3rd, I called the High&I to inform them that all the open panels at Southdown had been boarded up. The alternate image shows the recent shuttering. I have seen some painting of communal areas and the back stairs of Southdown in very recent months, but this place is still a living hell.
Welcome to Kerry (though I've never seen anything like this in a discover Ireland brochure!) Service compartment - back stairs to Kerry block Unsecured garages and unlocked service compartments are to be found across the entire estate, with their collection of rubbish including hypodermic needles lying about.
Friend or Foe? This CCTV camera housing is truly representative of security currently on The Market Estate. At one time the estate was fully monitored, with on-site security. However, a security officer was attacked and severely beaten, and it seems that the estate then became a lawless zone. I recently recorded a video interview with one resident who had had both his ear-lobes cut off in an attack, and on another occasion had been dowsed with petrol and chased. His dog was killed by being thrown from his balcony.  Now he hardly leaves his home for fear of his life. The lift in his block has been out of service since February, when, youths set light to a mattress in it, resulting in an elderly lady resident now being housebound.
The Penthouse : The Lookout! The image (right) shows the unlocked door to a roof service access area. From here you could see the enemy, or the police, approaching from a great distance. It was complete with a sleeping bag on this occasion in May. This is only one of the unlisted addresses on The Market Estate. Who is on their database as based here?
Gimme Some Crack! We have to accept that people are either part of a culture (for whatever reason) that accepts this as a normal environment, or one that is intimidated by it. Personally, I'm intimidated by it, as are I'm sure, most of the residents frightened to enter and leave their homes. Yet, I had a disappointing experience talking to residents of a nearby estate, separated by only one road. In reference to what it must be like to live on The Market Estate, one shortsighted person stated "... they only put scum in there..." I was not so much trying to hide my feelings as find some - I was totally shocked. It is not news to me that people frequently make immediate and unconscious assessments, and assumptions are inevitable, but this was an outrageous comment that induces more sadness than anger in me personally.
Please put rubbish down the shoot (If you can get to the shoot!) This is the rubbish shoot / dumping point at the back side of Southdown. One year after the death of Christopher Pullen, a council statement said "We have been working hard with our contractors Hyde Northside and the reformed Tenants and Residents Association to improve the condition of the estate. Over £350,000 has been spent on repairs and later this month Neighbourhood Wardens are being introduced to the estate." Also “Our priority now is to work with tenants and residents to improve the quality of life on this estate.” council statement But now, in 2004, conditions are described as having got worse, and the wardens are long gone.
Even the T&RA Couldn't Save the Wardens! Sharon Jobe, chairwoman of Market Estate Tenants and Residents Association: “I was involved in the first lot of interviews with the wardens... They were supposed to watch the kids on the estate and try to find out why there was so much anti-social behaviour... things have got worse... But actually on the estate, I don’t think there will be that much difference as the wardens were never really given a chance.” (Highbury and Islington Express 02/04/2004) I'm a real live wire... PSYCHO KILLER (Qu'est Que C'est?)
Scandalous - Four Years on... Although the judicial review into the HSE investigation returned a verdict of accidental death, the conditions on the estate at the time were described as scandalous. "Scandal is often an over used word but no other can better describe conditions on The Market Estate that directly led to Christopher's death and the response of the authorities since" See article Right into the farthest reaches... grime scrawling destruction stench
Who Controls the Market? LBI? = X Hyde Northside = X Southern Housing = X THE OUTLAWS!
Graffiti Removal? - LBI / Hyde Northside? We have seen this kind of transformation from offensive scrawling to deliberate sabotage. Residents celebrated as 88% of tenants voting said YES to Southern Housing Group’s plans to redevelop 271 1960’s style flats on The Market Estate into bigger, modern homes. The homes will transfer from Islington Council to Southern Housing Group Limited in Spring 2005. Wouldn't you? I can already hear the officials talk about what they have done and what they are going to do, and how much they have spent, but the questions that are always resisted are what has not gone on here? The only truthful answer, in the case of The Lower Hilldrop Estate and The Market Estate, is "Basic repairs and maintenance services". Queries to TCHI are frequently "who are your caretakers?" - does it matter when all anyone can do with a broom and mop is sweep and flush!? Four More Years at Southdown? Even if all the plans for redevelopment achieve fruition, and on schedule, Southdown residents will not be rehoused until Autumn 2008 (according to the schedule!).
It's the Market Estate Wendy Houses, Facilities and Disservices: (well shelter from the rain at least) I don't actually know if the valves(gas?) turn, or control anything, but I know the curious child in me would have investigated further... As an adult I would need tranquillizers to sleep at night! For those who have any knowledge of Feng Shui, the exposed pipes are symbolic of flushing wealth away - who manages this housing stock? The system talks of officers who patrol estates to pick up on repair issues. The windows on Southdown, the lightning conductor, the manhole, dripping overflows, the open service areas... month after month none of these were addressed before the High&I article of August 27th.
The Effects of Anti-social Behaviour on Individuals: Man commits suicide, unable to defend his children: METRO, Wednesday September 1, 2004. Whilst this news story (below) was not regarding residents of the Market Estate, for me it exemplifies the impact of anti-social behaviour, with no obvious effective support or even protection. Where are the police, and social support services to which the community can turn? Southern Housing may take over the housing, and hopefully manage it far better than Islington or Hyde Northside, but who will help the community to manage the change? The Compensation Payments for decanting [moving residents from their old homes to the new] may help individuals with the transition, but who will shield and nurture the community into its future existence.
Completely Crazy Paving (below)?! I suppose the "original" idea of the paving was low maintenance (that's what they got too!), but this paving today, puts crazy on a new level; Cynically, I see the the paving, and consider how it could be offered as representative of a significant proportion of this community - displaced... damaged... or TOTALLY SMASHED! Depending on the weather, the mass of dilapidated paving varies between the rocky mountains and the lake district.
Adding to the decaying appearance on ground level are several leaking cistern overflows from upper floor properties. The reporting of which seems to be left to the residents, who are them selves probably oblivious to the drips, moss, and rot on the public walkways below.
Tenant Participation - Clocktower Evens: This is where tenants have taken matters into their own hands: The entrance hall windows being permanently broken, there were pigeons roosting in the stairwell, and all the droppings to prove it, the residents resorted to covered the open glazing panels with chicken wire themselves! The alternative image is of the droppings that cover the banisters.
The "Tenant's" Window is a Public Health Hazard This window is also in Clocktower (evens) which has been broken and reported for some time. I have spoken with both regular community members as well as the Chair of the T&RA. I am informed that the tenant will not allow "the council" to repair it, citing it as evidence in a legal case, also that "the council" are powerless to act!? If this is true, and a passer by at ground level is hurt, will the authorities blame the tenant for this also? The hazard maybe in the tenants property but this is a matter of public safety. Isn't it ridiculous if this is the case? I am sure if a ministerial visit was planned a remedy to this would be found soon enough (in the interest of government safety). The alternate image is of an upper-floor window in Southdown, which appears to be "holding" together with sticky-back plastic. The dereliction is evident from far beyond the estate boundaries.
From Here To Where..? (and when..?) All going well, the plans for the Southern Housing development will see fruition. Even so: The first phase of rehousing will not be until Spring 2006. Southdown in four years time (Autumn 2008). Some Clocktower residents not being rehoused until Winter 2010 (at the earliest!!!) Are we limited to praying that elders and vulnerable members of the community will live to see the plans to fruition, and not have to endure these conditions much longer, provided with a safer and more decent quality of life, long before 2012?
LBI diverted the management of the housing stock to Hyde Northside, and Southern Housing will hopefully save us from yet more of the above: but what happened here with social services and community safety and support? How will Islington Council deliver this community back into the real world where: The Police police? The educators educate? The support workers support? And people who 'care' care? Enabling those who live there...to live! If you have any questions or comments relating to this page, please email: meos@tchi.org.uk Future correspondence relating to this page will be linked from: here