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.
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.