How not to sell a library: Mrs Angry's guide for officers

Craig Cooper, Director of Commerce at Barnet Council and armchair flamenco expert

Part Two - So: you want to sell a library?

Good idea. Look at this one. Friern Barnet: nice building, nice location, bang opposite the Comer brothers' development of Princess Park Manor, a nicely sanitised new name for what was once the Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum. Comer brothers? They own North London Business Park, which Barnet council rents for its offices. Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum? Well, in these politically correct times we have no use for such stereotypical views of mental health, and more importantly, we have decided it is much cheaper to put mentally ill people back in the community, and then sell off the Asylum, and now, yes, let's sell off the library too. Don't need those anymore, either, do we?

How should we go about flogging it? Hmm. Well: not like this.

Read on.

Back to the meeting. And addressing the point, in fact, of the needs of those in the community who have disabilities.

Maryla pointed out that in contrast to the unsuitability of Friary House, Friern Barnet library offered a perfectly accommodating environment for residents with such difficulties. Apart from the one levelled building, and the relative ease of parking, the environment was perfect in terms of scale and lighting for those with mental disabilities, for example autism and also for those with visual impairment. The officers looked on blankly.

Barnet Eye blogger Roger Tichborne said that Barnet Council simply did not understand the sort of people who use libraries, and their needs. A library is not just about books, it is a resource for residents, for example for the elderly who visit for warmth, and interaction. He is right. Unless you do understand all these needs, and the social impact of removing a library from the context of its surrounding community, you cannot see why moving a library away from its location is so damaging.

Ms Taylor admitted that perhaps she did not have a 'complete handle' on this aspect, but she thought that - and I am checking my notes here - that a library was not the best place to keep warm.

Funny that, really, thought Mrs Angry, wonder why she has kept the heating on in a closed library since April, then, as the squatters discovered when they arrived last week ...

Julie Taylor, deputy chief executive of Barnet Council

Checking them again, because I have also noted that she went on to say she was mystified by the sight of families in Friary Park with small children, contrasted with the argument that this is the wrong location for a library.

Rosie pointed out that according to the 1931 census, ie around the time the library was built, the population of Friern Barnet was 23,000. Since then it has doubled. Perhaps the council should be considering putting a library in Friary Park as well as one back here?

Mike Gee spoke now. He said he thought that Ms Taylor's remark that Friary Park was the only option was a provocative statement. He asked about plans to sell the building in Friern Barnet: did Mr Cooper think it would be demolished? Had any developers shown interest?

Captain Cooper, interrupting a zen like state of inner calm and detachment from the scene around him, punctuated so far only by a half hearted attempt to kill a wasp, in a bizarre display of seated flamenco dancing, stamping on the carpet, now responded smoothly that it was not clear what would happen to the site. He did not deny that the building could be demolished. He claimed that 'no developer' had expressed interest in the site, but explained, without batting an eyelid, that the property could be marketed and 'disposed of' within six months.

Councillor Coakley Webb spoke now. She emphasised the dreadful parking at Friary Park, compared to here, the long walk to Friary House. She pointed out that she realised the officers were only following the decisions of their political leaders (you sure about that, Pauline?) but that as the next local elections drew ever nearer, they may well be taking their orders from a Labour council, which will not countenance the sale of this library. She mentioned the hidden costs of, for example, paying for her councillor's surgeries to be held elsewhere, and the loss of a venue for the local police safer neighbourhood team, who had been driven out.

S'ok, said Phoenix, winking, they were round last night, so they're still visiting the building ...

the new community librarian, Phoenix

Time for Mrs Angry's chance to speak.

She explained that she completely agreed with Mr Tichborne in the idea that a library was not just a place full of books, but an essential part of a community. She outed herself, in fact, as having formerly worked for Barnet Libraries, where she had gained this insight, at first hand. Oh, gasped Ms Taylor, I didn't know that.

Mrs Angry had a sudden horrible vision of a pinboard in an office at NLBP, with pictures of Mrs Angry, her old school reports, and vital statistics, and all the little known facts of her secret life written up in fluorescent marker pen on index cards, perhaps lovingly compiled by Barnet's answer to Malcolm Tucker, ie the Tooting Twister, and probably festooned with an assortment of darts. Poisoned darts.

Erm, but then she told the meeting that she perfectly understood why elderly people might want to come into a library for companionship, and somewhere warm to sit, and disabled residents, and mothers with small children, and why you cannot expect those who most rely on the proximity of their library to travel long distances to find another one. She mentioned her conversation with Alfred, a refugee whose own country is now creating a library network as part of a renewal of faith in the integrity of a nation's soul, and how in contrast here we were, tearing our libraries down, and selling them off, and now Alfred's children, who relied on their local branch cannot travel on their own to a library, and what a terrible thing we have done, haven't we?

To say that we cannot afford to keep this library open is nonsense, in the context of the council's budget, disregarding the restraints it has placed on the service it values so poorly, that is to say, that of libraries and museums. Mrs Angry reminded the officers, noting the admirably composed expression of Craig Cooper, that we are spending £275,000 alone, every month, on one bunch of consultants. The problem is not a lack of money, but of a failure in priorities.

Mrs Angry had a question for Mr Cooper. He said that no developer had expressed interest in the property, but that was an interesting choice of wording. Had any other body, such as a local private school made any enquiries? Captain Cooper replied that the site had not been marketed. This was, as far as Mrs Angry was concerned, not quite what she had asked.

She wanted to ask one more question.

If Phoenix and his friends had it in mind to go over to Church Farmhouse, in Hendon, and enter that building, (presuming a window has been left open, of course) and squat there too, will the council negotiate with them, and then please can we have our museum back?

There was a certain amount of mirth at this point, in fact the normally circumspect Mr Reasonable roared with laughter. It was indeed very hard for Mrs Angry to keep a straight face, looking at the officers across the room.

Ms Taylor, the deputy chief executive eventually formulated a response. She thought not, because, apparently: 'We do not have the same interest in that.'

Ah. No gun at the head, in that case, one must assume. Sorry, Phoenix. No offence.

In fact, readers, there is indeed not much chance of getting our museum back, because our Tory councillors have sanctioned the disposition of the contents, and are even now flogging some of it in an auction in the midlands. More of this in another post.

Fiona Brickwood challenged the officers on the issue of where the capital receipt from the library sale would go. They had implied that it in some way went towards other library expenditure, but was that really how it worked? Interestingly, the officers themselves were unsure. Cooper, who ought to know, being Director of Commerce, kept quiet, and the others appeared to contradict their own statements.

Diane Taylor asked about the value of the property, and was told it was around £430,000.

This is, of course, complete balls. It is not an accurate valuation of the site, which includes not only the building but two pieces of greenspace on either side. It is most certainly worth many times the stated sum, and this, dear readers is why no attempt by a community group to offer the price of the library will be accepted. Our Tory councillors want to extract the maximum profit from this exciting opportunity. And they don't give a f*ck about the library.

Mr Reasonable had been slowly simmering over the course of the meeting, and now came to boiling point. Even a reasonable man has his limits.

This meeting, he said, was futile. We were all having a lovely chat, but we are wasting everyone's time. The officers present are not authorised to make any changes (not that that matters, in this council, when they want their own way), and where were the councillors? Big applause.

Phoenix said he thought it was not a complete waste of time, that there was a point in dialogue. Mrs Angry reminded herself that she was listening to the leader of a group of squatters patiently, tactfully, trying to make peace between the warring middle class residents, citizen journalists and senior council officers of Broken Barnet. Can life become any more surreal?

The meeting finished, with an agreement brokered by our unlikely facilitator that more would follow, and hopefully with the attendance of the real villains of the piece, the Tory Cabinet members who are probably quaking in their shoes as we speak at the very thought of accepting such an invitation.

The council officers left, and as they did some of the residents pointed out of the library windows that they had parked in what appeared to be disabled bays ... where are those fecking traffic wardens when you really need them, eh?

What will happen next? When asked whether or not the council would be seeking to evict the squatters we were told that 'no snap decision would be taken'. This situation will probably drag on for weeks, months, who knows. The council probably care more about the management of the story than the reality of occupation.

The library has supposedly not been put up for sale yet. Like so many other buildings left vacant by this authority, although sale is given as the immediat reason for closure, there seems to be a tendency to leave properties empty, unsecured, deteriorating.

You might speculate why that might be.

Perhaps they hope that after a long period of time people become used to the sight, and care less and less passionately about its future.

Perhaps they hope it becomes easier to demolish, and make the site more valuable.

One thing is for sure: if Barnet Council thought the closure of Friern Barnet library would be a simple task, and easy money, they were mistaken. This story is far from over. Let's see where it takes us all next.

Labour councillors are putting an emergency motion to full council tomorrow night, urging the reopening of Friern Barnet library. Come along to Hendon Town Hall, 7pm, and show your support.

Update:

According to reports in the local press and in the Guardian, here , eviction proceedings have been instigated by the council. This contradicts the statement made by council officers at yesterday's meeting, as minuted:

Q: Is LBB intending implementing eviction procedures? JT – Not making any snap decisions on that.

In future Mrs Angry would be inclined to disregard any request not to film meetings with senior officers on council business, when agreed that all views are in the public domain.

Storytime in the library squat: Mrs Angry joins the circle

the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, whose library in Friern Barnet has become a development opportunity for Tory Barnet Council

Come along: do sit down, everyone, in a nice big friendly circle ... yes, yes, I know we are not really friends at all, but we will pretend, just for today. Sit down nicely, Roger, there's a good blogger. Captain Cooper: are you listening? Sit up straight, and do stop making faces, there's a dear.

Yes: it's Monday morning - storytime in Friern Barnet library, and isn't it good to see so many of us back in here, when we thought it had been closed for ever, even if it is entirely due to the forcible occupation of a group of community squatters and the hysterical reaction of Barnet council's Tory leadership and senior management team?

And now we'll begin.

Once upon a time there was a much loved local library.

It was an old fashioned library, built in the 1930s, thanks to a kindly benefactor who was keen to encourage and support the educational facilities of the ordinary citizen.

Yes, isn't that a quaint idea?

Silly old Andrew Carnegie.

Oh dear, though: this lovely building is closed now, and the doors have been locked, but not the windows, apparently, and all of the books have been taken away.

I know what you are thinking, children ... is it because the ordinary citizen no longer needs a local library, or educational facilities, perhaps?

It is not. We need libraries as much as we ever did, perhaps even more so.

No: it is because a group of horrible Tory councillors and their equally horrible senior management team want to get their grubby little hands on the building and sell it for development.

Yes: that is very naughty, isn't it?

What would Andrew Carnegie think?

He would be very cross, and indeed when the building was opened, with his money, it was stated clearly that the library should remain for the same purpose in perpetuity, but here is the funny thing, children. Barnet Council say they have lost the deeds of the building, and so we will never be able to prove it.

Isn't that unfortunate?

Ok, I'll stop there.

Yes: Mrs Angry has just returned from possibly the most astonishing meeting she has attended, throughout the course of her blogging career.

If you have followed the previous few posts you will know that last week the former Friern Barnet Library was entered and occupied by a group of community squatters from Camden, intent on giving back the use of the building to local residents. Incredibly, the immediate reaction by the Tory leadership was not to send in the police, or bailiffs, or instigate legal proceedings, but to send round some senior council officers to see how they could accommodate the wishes of the squatters, by offering them another council owned property to occupy, in Friary Park.

This morning's meeting was arranged between council officers and the squatters in order to discuss their generous offer. Phoenix, the squatters' leader, insisted that local residents, activists and campaigners also be present, and indeed representatives of the wider community came along to the library to join in the debate.

We all sat in a circle and introduced ourselves. Apart from three squatters, there were four senior council officers: from libraries Heather Wills, and Mike Fahey (wearing some very fetching Chelsea boots) and from the senior management team, Captain Craig Cooper, director of commerce, and assistant chief exectutive Julie Taylor. Ms Taylor, whose role she told us includes being responsible for 'stategy and communications' (- and you thought Barnet Council didn't have any strategy, or grasp of communications, didn't you?) was the only one present who objected to the meeting being filmed, and so it was not. Her reason, stated in a girly way, was that 'she just did not like being filmed'.

Hmm, no, quite, thought Mrs Angry, but there you go, if you are a senior officer representing the council at a public meeting, and as you state, everything discussed is in the public domain, in this case there should be no reason to be shy. As it happened, there were four bloggers present, Mrs A, Mr Reasonable and the Barnet Eye, and the Bugle, plus a library campaigner taking minutes, and so all of Ms Taylor's clangers will still be noted for posterity. And yes, there were quite a few clangers.

Who else? Residents Rosie, Mike, Paul, Fiona, Ann, Keith - who stated he had been a resident and user of the library for 48 years, out done by Dave who has lived in the area for 60. Maryla, who has done so much to research the historical and architectural background of the library, DR Oliver Natelson, a local campaigner of vast experience, Julia, the Chair of Age Uk Barnet, Diane Taylor, local resident and journalist who writes for the Guardian. Labour councillors Pauline Coakley Webb and Arjun Mittra also attended.

Phoenix explained that he saw himself as the facilitator, and laid a few ground rules for the meeting. Mrs Angry smiled to herself, relishing the discomfort of the senior officers obliged to listen to an explanation of how to conduct one self in debate according to the intricate, if laudibly democratic, etiquette of the direct action movement.

If you want to speak: put up your hand, and take your turn. If you have a direct point of information, point two fingers of both hands. If you want to show your approval, wave your hands up and down with thumbs and fingers circled, (and hope, thought Mrs Angry, that no one mistakes this for a suggestion that you are a complete wanker, twice over). Phoenix asked everyone to try this last gesture. Mrs Angry was beside herself with laughter at the efforts of Captain Cooper, jazz hands shaking, face like thunder.

It was clear that the thought of a democratically ordered discussion, in which mutual respect is given to all members, was a challenging concept to those who work within the culture of contempt that is the mark of the tinpot Tory dictatorship of Broken Barnet. But we struggled through, somehow.

Julie Taylor announced that sadly the Councillor responsible for libraries, ie Robert Rams, could not be with us, altough he would have liked to have been, (really?) because he was, aww, on his honeymoon. Oh, said Mrs Angry, but surely some other Cabinet member could have come? Or even the leader? What about Cllr Thomas, asked Rog. Ms Taylor thought he might have a day job, which would have prevented his attendance. In fact, thought Mrs Angry, Rams would not have dared set foot in Friern Barnet, and Thomas should have been there as now the building is the responsibility not of libraries but of property services.

Carnegie's library: up for sale.

Phoenix asked Julie Taylor what she thought of voluntary libraries. Mrs Angry cringed. Of course she likes them: great way of getting rid of staff. She then made a possibly over enthusiastic claim, that the council would be prepared 'to contribute' in terms of resources to a new proposal. You know, like they did with the residents of Hampstead Garden Suburb, supplying the library there with everything they asked for, except in this case nothing will be given if any library proposal is made that is based where it should be, in the library building that already exists.

Mrs Angry had a question.

Why is it, she asked, perhaps, yes, perhaps a little naively, that it has taken the occupation of a library by a group of squatters to bring you to the point of any meaningful discussion with local residents and campaigners? This meeting has only come about by holding a gun at your head ... (Peace loving Phoenix looked upset at this point) Metaphorically speaking, of course, added Mrs Angry, therefore, with a polite smile.

We have always made ourselves available for discussions, claimed Ms Taylor. Local residents shifted crossly in their seats.

The question of a voluntary library in the location the council claims to think is suitable, Friary House, an Edwardian house set in the middle of a park, is highly contentious. Even if one accepts the concept of a voluntary library, rather than a library supported by the council network, the Friary Park idea is completely inappropriate.

All the disadvantages were listed by turn by those present: the distance from Friern Barnet, especially for the elderly, children, the disabled, the difficulty in parking, it is not served by local transport, is in a hilly area, users would have to walk through a dark park in winter to reach it, and the rooms offered are simply unsuitable for disabled access.

Craig Cooper speaks at last. 'Cheers, Phoenix', he began, in what he must have thought was a suitably right-on opening move. Mrs Angry tried not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation, and instead to marvel at his opening statement. He had not been previously aware of the problems with access at this location. What? Why not? He mumble some meaningless bla bla bla officer speak, as if it made any difference.

Julie Taylor thought we should know that Friary House is a very very nice building. She's right, it is. Just not a suitable replacement for Friern Barnet library, thank you all the same. We have to get out of this building, ie Friern Barnet library, and sell it. We must do this because we have a duty to keep council taxes low. Erm?

Mike Gee pointed out that the idea of saving money this way is a myth: the costs of keeping the branch going are not huge and could be found if they wanted to.

Keith Martin reminded Ms Taylor and colleagues that there is overwhelming support for the library remaining where it is. It is a purpose built building. Rams' pointless Arts Depot library substitute was a costly mistake, and the feasibility study for the much vaunted, but as yet imaginary landmark library would be astronomical.

Fiona Brickwood made some very good points: as others has mentioned, the closure of this library has enormous impact on the sustainability of the local community and its economy. There is no remit for the council's actions in closing the branch: the consultation process had shown overwhelming support for the retention of the library, and the original endowment of the building from the Carnegie Trust was on the basis that the library building would remain used for that function. She wants to see the building retained as part of an enterprise hub, which she argued would maintain the life of the local community.

Ms Taylor did not want to respond to the comment about remit (ie democratic mandate) as it was 'a technical point'. She assured everyone that the council wants to support communities and literacy and all that sort of One Barnet bla bla bla stuff which means nothing. And then she made a remark which does mean something. She said that 'Friary Park is the only solution on offer.'

End of story, then, and so much for negotiations?

Let's see, shall we?

Part 2 coming along soon ...

Friern Barnet Library: Rising from the Ashes

Keith: local resident, and one of the original occupiers of the library, back where he belongs ...

Another day, another chapter in the increasingly surreal story of Friern Barnet Library: the library that refuses to curl up and die, and has now been given a new lease of life by the occupation of community squatters who have pledged to return the building to the purpose for which it was built, a library for the people of Friern Barnet.

Phoenix and friend: the new librarians

The spokesman of the squatters who have taken up residence in this library is 'Phoenix' - rather an apt identity, in this situation, symbolising a new hope for local residents and library campaigners, rising from the ashes of their proposals which were so contemptuously rejected by the Tory council, in stark contrast to the fawning indulgence shown to the cosseted millionaire residents of Hampstead Garden Suburb, whose volunteer library is being supported at a cost far in excess of the plan submitted by the less privileged residents of Friern Barnet.

After the occupation, local campaigners decided to renew the Saturday pop up library on the green outside the building. The new occupiers announced that they would open up the library to residents, and offer the building to them for the purpose intended, eighty years ago, with the aid of a grant from the trust begun by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie: to provide a resource for the education of the ordinary working man and woman.

Got £400K to spare? Local library going cheap: development potential, subject to pp, of course

The Tory run council of Broken Barnet sees the library building as something rather different, of course. It is not a resource belonging to the community: it is a nascent development opportunity: a branch of Sainsbury's, or a free school. It has an annoyingly beautiful building on the site, but it is not listed, so could be demolished, and take the nominal value of the site from £400,000 or so into perhaps ten times that. Such a sum would be very welcome to our Tory councillors. It might even pay the £275, 000 monthly bill for our One Barnet consultants at Agilisys/iMPOWER.

Mrs Angry went to visit the pop up library today. When she arrived the stalls were outside, but everything was pretty low key. Feeling very naughty - why, Mrs Angry? - she slipped into the building to see what was happening. Was she breaking the law - trespassing? No: as it happens, the council has written to Phoenix and fellow squatters, recognising their occupation and therefore designating them as licence holders. And who cares, anyway? By the laws of natural justice, this building belongs to the people, not to the grubby little Tory council which, in Mrs Angry's view, formed over a long period of contemplation, is morally bankrupt, and has lost all claim to any authority over the electors of this borough.

The newly opened library soon attracted a large number of visitors. Labour leader Alison Moore and deputy Barry Rawlings arrived, with Pauline Coakley Webb and Arjun Mittra. Local residents and traders came in to say hello. Outside a number of residents and campaigners gathered under the cherry tree and discussed the new developments.


the pop up library today

Mrs Angry had a very interesting conversation with Dr Oliver Natelson, a local environmental campaigner who this year was deservedly given an Observer Ethical Award for his many years of community work, and had come to the library to offer tuition to local residents. Mike Gee ran a slide show on local waterways, and ran a Thunderbirds film show for children. A community resource, in other words, was being used by the community.

Some suitable literature now available on the shelves of the local library

But here's the thing. As far as Mrs Angry is concerned, Phoenix and his friends are morally justified in what they are doing. He seems to be acting according to a set of values, a moral code - contrast this to the grasping motives of our Tory council, and the way in which they have deceived and betrayed the residents of this borough.

A local resident arrives with some flowers for the library

But the extraordinary fact remains that our Tory councillors have instructed senior officers to engage and negotiate with the squatters who have taken possession of the former Friern Barnet library. Their immediate reaction to the occupation was not to challenge their action, but to offer them another site within the borough for a community library. They have sent a long letter to the new occupants, (* see below for link to Barnet Eye's clip with Phoenix reading this out) which Mrs Angry has seen, going into great detail as to the proposals they have which the squatters might consider. Quite incredible.

Labour councillors arrive to show their support: Leader Alison Moore, Pauline Coakley Webb, deputy Labour Leader Barry Rawlings, and Arjun Mittra

The residents who are members of the Save Friern Barnet Library campaign, and have struggled over so long to defend their library, have been completely sidelined.

What sort of message does this convey?

Time stands still, in Broken Barnet

You might think that a Tory council would be very much on the side of law and order, and refuse to negotiate with squatters. After all, the local MP, Mr Mike Freer, the former leader of the council, the father of One Barnet, and still a huge influence on the empty headed Tory councillors, has just seen his new anti squatting legislation enacted: all inspired, as you may remember, by the appalling shock of a mansion in Hampstead Garden Suburb - owned by the Libyan dictator Gaddafi's son - being occupied by political protesters.

Dear me. But no: it seems the language of force is the only one recognised by Tory Barnet. In fact, it would seem that they even have a sneaking respect for such tactics, and are happy to play along with its rules of engagement.

legal notice displayed by the new occupants of the library

The campaign so carefully and passionately supported by residents over the last year or so, organised by the properly constituted Save Friern Library group, which has widespread support in the community, has been completely ignored. Councillor Robert Rams has no interest in anything they have to say.

He has tweeted misleading comments about engaging with 'a local group' to open a community hub on the library site, as part of a development, but this is hogwash. Having made some enquiries about this, it seems clear to Mrs Angry that this is not being seriously considered, and does not represent the wishes of the wider community, much as a community hub would be welcomed somewhere in the area.

In the meanwhile, interested parties have been reported as making enquiries as to the purchase of the building.

On Monday morning, at 10 am, Captain Craig Cooper, Barnet's Director of Commerce, and two senior officers from libraries, will be meeting not the local residents and campaigners' group, but the activists from Camden who have taken occupation of the library - the squatters - in order to continue negotiations with them over a proposed community library. Phoenix and his friends have asked that local campaigners and residents attend this meeting too.

Yes: the world has gone mad.

Let's leave this post with a picture of two local residents who so desperately want their library to remain in their community: here is Alfred, and his shy, delightful boy Fred. Alfred has come to this country from the unspeakable horrors of genocide in Rwanda, a single parent whose five motherless children loved to visit their local library and indeed spent lots of time here, supported by what he described to Mrs Angry as the lovely library staff, dedicated professionals who saw their role as integral to the local community. Mrs Angry asked if the children were able to travel to any other library now.

No, said their father, sadly.

Alfred, his son Fred, and the empty shelves of their local library

It's all been said, really, hasn't it?

Alfred, who is, Mrs Angry understands, a classicist and academic, mentioned that back in Rwanda now, a library network is being established, as part of the rebuilding of the traumatised country's infrastructure. Back here in Broken Barnet, of course, and throughout the country, under the cultural warfare of our coalition government, we are tearing out the heart of our once glorious library system, just as we are about to destroy our National Health Service, and our welfare state.

The tale of Friern Barnet library tells a much bigger story than it first seems, doesn't it?

The tale continues. What will happen next? Mrs Angry predicts some more surprising developments will enfold.

Councillor Robert Rams, the Cabinet member responsible for libraries, has been away for the last couple of weeks, after his recent marriage.

Congratulations, Robert: but, know what -

I think the honeymoon is over.

Robert Rams, above. Dog shit, below.

Updated again:

just briefly to say if you nip across to the Barnet Eye, here:

http://barneteye.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/friern-barnet-library-occupation-new.html

you will find a clip of Phoenix reading out the astonishing letter from Barnet Council to the squatters, offering to cooperate in their wish to run a community library. Plus Mrs Angry laughing in an unseemly fashion at the side.

Updated Monday:

ok: now I have nicked this clip from the Barnet Eye, for your enjoyment. Listen to the enormous interest our council is showing over the new proposals from Phoenix and his fellow squatters. If only they showed such enthusiasm for the proposals made by the Save Friern Barnet Library campaigners.

A Very British Squat: Friern Barnet Library - reoccupied

Dave and Phoenix, the new occupants of Friern Barnet Library

The story of the Barnet Spring has taken many interesting twists and turns, but none perhaps have proved to be quite as unpredictable as the development which is unfolding over in Friern Barnet, in the empty property that was, until very recently, the much loved local library.

This beautiful building had served the local community for eighty or so years, since the branch was opened with the assistance of funding from the Carnegie Trust, and its closure by the local authority was fought with determination by local residents: on the very day of its closure, indeed, local people occupied the building to mark, with a symbolic act of resistence, that the library was part of their community, and it was not for the disaffected elected members of that community to act on their behalf and close it down, with no consideration for their wishes.

The reason given for the closure was budgetary: in these times of austerity, support for this branch was deemed a luxury. The bid by some residents to run a community, voluntary library was ignored, yet a similar bid by the highly influential, vociferous residents association in the hugely wealthy Tory ward of Hampstead Garden Suburb was welcomed, indulged and happily subsidised by our Conservative councillors. As this tiny branch is a leased property, there was never a council asset to sell, of course, but the authority is still providing a substantial amount of money in support of the enterprise.

The reason now given for the closure of Friern Barnet is that the council needs the capital from the sale of the building, yet at the same time it is pretending to support a scheme promoted by a local resident to use the site as a community hub, funded by an improbable development proposal. A community hub would be an asset to the area, of course, but not, in Mrs Angry's view, at the cost of a properly run library, and with an inappropriate development on part of the site - and the majority of local campaigners want only to save their library, and have it retained as part of the council library network.

Since the closure, the Save Friern Barnet Library campaign has refused to accept that the end of the story has been written, and has continued to lobby for its reopening, presenting a petition of thousands of signatures to the councillors, and seeing the issue supposedly referred back to Cabinet. Even before the ink was dry on the minutes of the meeting where this was decided, however, Cllr Robert Rams had emailed all signatories to inform them that the decision which had not been referred yet had already been made: the matter was closed.

And that seemed to be that, until this week.


In the early hours of Wednesday morning, it seems, a group of activists from Camden with previous experience of direct action campaigns entered the library building, via an open window, and has set up in residence, squatting, they say, in order to reopen a library for the local community.

Bizarrely, when the story was reported in the local press, it was revealed that council staff had been ordered to offer an alternative location to the squatters, and even shown them round the premises. Tory leader Richard Cornelius was quoted as offering encouragement to such an enterprise, and offering a supply of books.

Yes: you are still in Broken Barnet. Bear with me.

This evening Mrs Angry visited the library. A solitary security guard was keeping a baleful eye on the premises, although later on others joined him. He confirmed that the squatters were in occupation. Did I want to speak to them? Just knock on the back fence. Oh. Mrs Angry did just that. A head peeped over the top. We introduced ourselves to each other: his name was 'Phoenix', and he said he was pretty experienced in this sort of thing, and certainly seemed very much at home ... he opened the locked gate: did I want to come in: have a cup of tea?

Mrs Angry declined but took some photos, and we had a very genial and interesting conversation. He was occupying the library, he said, because he wanted it to be returned to the community for their use. He was hoping to organise, with residents, a rota system to operate a library for local people.

Did they have water, electricity, a loo? Yes. In fact, when they arrived, they were rather surprised to find the heating was on. Bit wasteful, we agreed. I told him that he was lucky, when residents had occupied the building, the council had forced them to piss in a wastepaper bin. He looked suitably shocked, clearly used to a better standard of squat. He said he was coming across to the nearby British Legion to attend tonight's library campaign committee meeting. It was ok, he could let himself out: he had the keys to the building, which they had found on a desk when they arrived.

Two of the other squatters came to speak to us: by now a couple of Labour councillors and blogger Barnet Bugle had turned up, and we all chatted affably at the door. One of the squatters was a boy about Mrs Angry's son's age, with an open, innocent, pre-raphaelite face, and a steady, blue eyed gaze. I think perhaps it was his first time involved in such activity. A handful of security guards watched us, quietly, from a distance.


Labour councillors Pauline Coakley Webb and Barry Rawlings look on

Downstairs in the British Legion, behind the door covered in a giant union jack, bingo night was in full swing. Upstairs, in a small room, the library campaign committee was in session. Around the walls were two portaits of the Queen, a couple of plaques referring to the Royal Antedeluvian Order of Buffaloes, and what looked like a yellowing, faded picture of Cecil Rhodes. On one of the tables was a wooden sign declaring that this was 'Liberty Hall'.

Phoenix was addressing the committee members, who sat lined around the edges of the room, listening politely, in their ineffably British way, bemused by the sudden hijacking of their campaign by this articulate, perfectly reasonable dreadlocked activist who had arrived out of the blue and was offering to reopen their library for them.

The Chair was trying to tread a difficult path between not being seen to endorse a potentially illegal action, and being open to the suggestions that the squatters had to make. Others present wanted to be more radical in their approach, keen to embrace the new opportunity. There was some discussion about the right solution: a community library, a voluntary library or a full return to council control. All were agreed on one thing: Friern Barnet library is their library, and they refuse to contemplate it being sold for development.

That is the one thing, of course, that we can be sure our Tory councillors want above all else. They are wary of the consequences, and keen to try to avoid the negative impact on their own electoral ambitions, but if they can get away with it, selling the building is what they will try to do. Selling the site, that is: with or without the library on it.

You might ask yourself why it was so easy for the squatters to enter Friern Barnet Library.

You might ask yourself why the listed Church Farmhouse Museum is so poorly secured.

You could also ask, as Mrs Angry did why buildings like the Edwardian lodge in Victoria Park are being emptied of tenants, then left empty and open to vandalism or worse, for years on end.

What do you suppose the answer might be?

By a most amusing coincidence, this week's Ham & High carries a particularly charmless photo of local Finchley MP Mike Freer, looking awfully pleased with himself after creating new laws that deal with the offence of erm ... squatting.

pic Ham & High

Mike has been relentlessly pursuing the adoption of new measures to fight what he sees as an issue of huge significance: one or two people who have dared to squat in a couple of vacant luxury mansions in hello, Hampstead Garden Suburb. Have a look at this story, which will touch you, with the concern shown for the Gaddafi family whose house was occupied- actually as an act of political protest - last year.

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/8913093.MP_calls_for_squatters_to_leave_Gaddafi_house/

In Broken Barnet, of course, a house is not a home, it is an asset, which must be protected, even when it is empty, and there are people with no homes to live in. A museum or a library is not a community resource, or part of our heritage, it is a potential development, and where you or I might see a vacant property, and a family without a home, or a child without a local library, or a collection of local historical items without somewhere to be displayed, our Tory politicians see merely another business opportunity.

Squatting might, in some circumstances, be illegal. It might be unfair, and an act of theft, taking someone else's home. In the case of Friern Barnet library, I would say, it is a statement which should be made: a moral duty, taking back possession of something which has been stolen from the people it was intended for: for their education, their pleasure, their benefit.

The story of Friern Barnet Library, the library that wouldn't die, is now much more important than anyone could have imagined it would be: it is the story we've seen so often in our history, a small community standing up for itself, and not taking it anymore: a uniquely obstinate, British characteristic: it might not look like it, but essentially it's like the plot of an Ealing studios film from the 1950s, an act of courage and defiance: the triumph of good people over bad.

This is Broken Barnet: who knows what will happen next?

Updated Friday:

Mrs Angry understands that this morning a representative of the Save Friern Barnet Library campaign spoke to Richard Cornelius’ Secretary to request a meeting with him next week, in order to 'negotiate the re-opening of FBL'. He is due to respond to this request this afternoon.

And according to the group's Chair:

"We will be holding a Pop Up Library tomorrow, Saturday, from 11-1pm on the green next to the library and feel that the squatters are highlighting, by their action, the absurdity of our library lying empty. Greenacre Writers are holding a free creative writing workshop in the library at 1pm and Dr Ollie Natelson is offering free chemistry GCSE and A-level tuition from 11-1pm."

The story continues ...

Mrs Angry has a good idea

All ready for tonight, chaps? Bag packed? Torch, sandwiches, copy of Local Government for Dummies? No need, look - on Andrew Travers's desk ...

Mrs Angry has been writing a lot of letters this week, hasn't she?

"Dear Cllr Cornelius

Over the last year or so I have written to you perhaps three or four times to ask your view on local issues, and have always been rather surprised not to receive any response.

As a resident, tax payer, and local blogger one might have hope for some sort of acknowledgement, if only out of common courtesy. I think perhaps I now realise why I have failed to persuade you to engage in any debate, however.

I note from reports in the local Times group paper that in the early hours of yesterday, four young squatters from Camden broke into the former Friern Barnet library and staged an occupation, claiming they wanted to open a community library.

It is reported that a council officer took their suggestion seriously, and showed them the property in Friary Park which Cllr Rams is always trying to persuade residents would offer a suitable venue for a voluntary library.

Even more bizarrely, you are quoted as saying:

“We have been trying to encourage community libraries in the borough for some time.

If this group would genuinely like to open one in Friary House half a mile away we would happily give them the book stock. We are currently supporting a very successful volunteer library in Hampstead Garden Suburb and have always been welcoming towards bids from local community groups.”


Of course this is marvellous news for squatters and anarcho syndicalists everywhere.

Where local democracy has failed, and a One Barnet Tory administration refuses to communicate with electors through more conventional media of email, Residents Forums and an effective policy of consultation, we may now take the law into our own hands, break into council owned property and dictate our demands to the elected members of the local authority.

Tonight, therefore, I intend to pack a rucksack, roll up a sleeping bag, and head off to North London Business Park with my fellow bloggers - and a couple of bolt cutters.

Once inside the building we will expect a phone call from you accepting our demands to run a voluntary council administration on behalf of the local community.

This would of course produce efficiencies in savings more real than any of the aspirational ambitions of the doomed One Barnet programme.

And quite frankly, we would make a damn sight better job of things than you and your Tory chums, wouldn't we?

With best wishes,

Mrs Angry x"