They have occupied the island, Raven’s Ait, in a bid to transform it into a viable autonomous and pollution-free community. It’s an ambitious and original project which may, with a bit of luck, transform the island into a model of durable development.
It all started when an ecologist out for a sail on the Thames on a barge in February came across the 300 by 50 meter island by accident. The idea was born, and it was occupied two months ago by a motley group of ecologists and squatters who, at first, had the idea of holding the “Rave party of the century” on it. Since then the Raven’s Ait (‘Ait’ is an old English word for ‘island’.) adventure has developed into a stable community wishing to create a lifestyle based on wind-driven power and bio farming.
Rick, one of the self-styled “Eco-Pirates”, as it says on his t-shirt, says "The island is not a hippy paradise or anything like that.” He cuts a strange figure in his mauve top hat complete with a white feather. He may look like a beatnik but he does things in a very businesslike manner, nervously tapping on his Blackberry, trying to choose between an “important” meeting and an “urgent” job that needs doing.
A visitor knows what’s what as soon as he gets to the island and sees the big sign over the door of the largest building there which warns “No Alcohol. No Drugs.”
The company that used to occupy the island, using it for conferences and marriages, left all the kitchens and restaurant and conference facilities behind when it went bust.
There is only one wind-powered generator for the moment, and so the twenty occupants are still hooked up to mainland electricity which “We bust our butts trying to pay” as Rick puts it.
They have applied to the Borough of Kingston-on-Thames, under which jurisdiction the island falls, for a permit to live there and develop a project of “Durable Island.” For the moment the authorities are saying that nothing will be discussed as long as the occupants remain on the island in defiance of an expulsion order.
The occupants answer that they are the “Guardians” of the island. “We want to preserve the island, protect it from private interests, and give it back to the people” says Sirius Green, one of the community’s leaders.
The community says it has an excellent relationship” with the mainland community,
In an effort to avoid ostracism, the island welcomes visitors. Anyone who waves at the island from the banks of the river will be approached shortly afterwards by a boat and offered a visit to Raven’s Ait.
So the next time you’re in London, go and visit them. It’ll make a nice change from tourist packed Trafalgar Square or Big Ben.
(Source – Orange News. In French.)
