Vera Wood set up and jointly ran Community House at 213 North Gower Street with her husband John in 1974.

Vera died in 2022. Memories from friends at the funeral service included several insights into her life before, during and after Tolmers:

Jack recalls, ‘Vera and John became involved with the Tolmers Village Association in London…. They were amongst the original squatters in the early 1970s and they occupied and transformed 213 North Gower Street (or Community House, as it was also known), a dilapidated Georgian property, between Hampstead Road and Euston Station. The vacant buildings in this area would otherwise have been demolished for office construction.’

‘She and John travelled to India several times, spending a lot of time in Gujarat. They also lived in Jerusalem for some years where they opened a wood shop and bakery. The alternative, off grid community, Klil, established in Western Galilee in 1979, took inspiration from Vera and John’s chosen way of living. Vera and John decided to return to London at this point and lived for a time in Belsize Park. John then took a course at Oxford University so … Vera spent her last 30 years … in Oxford.’

Stephen Fulder recalls: ‘Eventually, the Israelis that were part of the community in Jerusalem all went off to start the alternative village inspired by their teaching, called Klil. It is still here, 40 years on, and has around 1000 souls, including many children. But the original vision of Vera lives on today in this village, with an emphasis on ecology, simplicity, self-sufficiency and the possibility of living differently. John and Vera were disappointed however, and felt that it was too early, and the ideas not developed enough. John said that the gate was left open and thus they departed.’

‘Anna Rosen met Vera and John at North Gower Street, through Alon Porath. Anna stayed with them for a while and was impressed by the lifestyle and politics which reflected the Tolmers Square movement of free thinkers. Anna describes herself as more of a peripheral friend at this stage. She shared the time with Mick Plewman, who had been one of John’s students from Winchester days, and like Vera and John, they too travelled to India and Jerusalem where paths crossed again. At Tolmers Square, Anna described John and Vera as leaders of a kind, although they shirked any formal interest in authority. Their principles were around vegetarianism. John’s non-profit making shop drew people in. Bread was made one day a week and they made muesli, with the focus being on creating systems of sustainable food production using natural products. Folk were invited in the evenings for simple suppers. They socialised and would share food. Anna remembers Vera as very approachable but not particularly talkative; talking was John’s role.’

See the Community House collection

See all 213 North Gower Street photos

See Community House’s where are they now profile

See John Wood’s where are they now profile

See Come together story by Paul Nicholson