A spectacular Tolmers reunion party took place on 5 November 2025 and attracted nearly 50 people. Most had been squatting in Tolmers Square and surrounding streets at some stage between 1973 and 1979 or had visited friends there and attended the many carnivals held at that time. Six others joined by Zoom. 

The event was hosted by Patrick Allen in the basement bar of law firm Hodge Jones & Allen at 180 North Gower Street, opposite the entrance to Tolmers Square. This firm was founded by Patrick when he was a squatter in Tolmers square in 1977. He has just retired from the practice after leading it for 48 years.

Many of the guests had not seen each other for nearly fifty years. They included Rod Smith, who left Tolmers Square in 1976. He travelled from his home in Nova Scotia to attend the party. Pedro George flew in from Lisbon.

Several former squatters made speeches, led by Patrick who welcomed the guests with his reflections on life in Tolmers in the 1970s. He introduced the Tolmers website which he said was growing in content all the time with stories, photos and press cuttings being added.  He said he would continue to manage and fund the website and was planning more publications and an annual reunion party.

There was a delicious buffet supper supplied by Drummond Villa restaurant of Drummond Street.

A slide show with 445 of the photographs from the website was shown continuously during the evening on three screens around the room. It can be viewed here.  

Books published on Tolmers were on sale at a merchandise table.   

Video recordings of some highlights from the speeches, zoom and musical interludes will be available shortly.

Here are some photos of the event taken by Fred Bellec. More can be viewed here.

More photos of the event can be viewed here.