A defiant council tenant has organised a musical fundraiser for an anti-gentrification exhibition being held in her soon-to-be-destroyed Aylesbury Estate flat.
Aysen Dennis, 64, who refuses to leave her beloved estate, thirteen years after its demolition began, has invited people to the ‘Fight 4 Aylesbury Evening of Live Music’ tonight (Wednesday, April 5).
Held at the Avalon Cafe, in South Bermondsey, visitors are invited to a night of eclectic music from 6.30 to 11pm, with a £5 donation recommended.
The exhibition, being held from April 14 to April 25, will feature photos, collages, mementoes and audio-recordings documenting Aysen’s long struggle against redevelopment.
The exact location will be revealed at later date.
Aysen said: “It’s going to be a one-of-a-kind exhibition which is showing off the fight that we’ve been going through.
“There will be leaflets, pictures – we’ve got lot os of documents and information that we are using. It’s telling our story… reflecting the councillors’ and campaigners’ story, it’s our perspective.”
Aysen, who moved into the flat in May 1993, and has long campaigned for refurbishment over redevelopment.
The 2,758-flat Aylesbury Estate was completed in 1977 as part of a huge slum clearance but less than thirty years later, in 2005, Southwark Council decided to demolish it.
The council argued redevelopment was the only viable option and that refurbishment would be too expensive.
‘Fight 4 Aylesbury: An Evening of Live Music’ is being held at Avalon Cafe, SE14 5RZ, on Wednesday, April 5, from 6.30pm to 11pm. Pay what you can. If you’re unsure how much to pay, the recommended donation is £5.