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Urban greening recognition

Tolmers is recognised as a pioneer in urban greening in a marvellous exhibition at the British Library in London, ‘Unearthed: the power of gardening‘. Several photos from this website are displayed.

Tolmers photos and book from the 1970s being viewed at the British Library in 2025.

In an accompanying book, curator Valentina Mirabella writes: ’The occupation of Tolmers Square in London in the 1970s was a pivotal moment in the history of urban resistance, demonstrating the potential of communal gardens to serve as symbols of social conscience and community resilience.…The legacy of Tolmers Square serves as a reminder of the power of community action and the importance of green spaces in urban environments (Gardens of the future: unique visions for a changing world, Ruth Chivers ed, British Library, 2025, pp140-41).


At the time, young guerrilla gardeners in Tolmers thought they were doing something important but its good to have confirmation by an expert from a younger generation half a century later.

Curator Valentina Mirabella in front of an actual size photo of the 1974 slogan on vacant land in Drummond Street.

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