Tidemill

by The Four Fathers

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about

’Tidemill’ is a lament for the Old Tidemill Wildlife Garden in Deptford, south east London, and for the ongoing and cynical destruction of council homes across the capital for new housing developments.

The song, recorded with Charlie Hart, who also plays piano on it, was released to mark the 4th anniversary of the occupation of the garden — a magical community space, whose tree cover also mitigated the worst effects of air pollution from the main roads nearby — to try to prevent its destruction, and that of a block of 16 structurally sound council flats next door, for a development led by Peabody, the housing association that, in recent years, has become largely indistinguishable from a private developer.

The occupation came to an end after two months, when bailiffs hired by Lewisham Council violently evicted the occupiers in a dawn raid. Four months later, the trees were all torn down, but building work didn’t begin until October 2020, and is still underway, with dense and unattractive blocks of housing rising up where the garden once stood.

The last phase of the development involves the demolition of 2-30a Reginald Road, the 16 council flats next door to the former garden, where Lewisham Council are currently embroiled in further controversy as they seek to rehouse the remaining secure tenants, as well as evicting the temporary tenants (all women with children) who have been moved in as properties have become vacant over the last five years.

For the Save Reginald Save Tidemill campaign, see: www.facebook.com/savetidemill/
For Andy’s archive of articles about Tidemill, see: www.andyworthington.co.uk/tag/old-tidemill-wildlife-garden/
For Andy’s most recent article, see: www.andyworthington.co.uk/2022/07/22/save-reginald-house-demolition-plans-for-flats-next-to-former-tidemill-garden-reveal-the-broken-state-of-social-housing-provision-in-london/
Also check out the documentary film, 'The Battle for Deptford', released in May 2022: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcn4whYMCPg

lyrics

Tidemill (Andy Worthington)

Tidemill, oh Tidemill, the people’s space
We miss your playground for children, your trees and your flowers
But most of all we miss your autonomy
The place we could go to be who we want to be

Chorus

And though our leaders talk of much-needed homes
The truth is it’s all about profit
From the Aylesbury to Woodberry Down the wrecking balls still swing
And nothing, nothing can stop it

Tidemill, oh Tidemill, your trees so green
Cut the air pollution killing us all by degrees
But no one cares about your shade
The environment don’t count when there’s money to be made

Chorus (repeat)

Line-up:

Andy Worthington (lead vocals, guitar)
Richard Clare (lead guitar)
Bren Horstead (drums)
Paul Rooke (bass)
Andrew Fifield (flute)
Charlie Hart (piano)

credits

released August 29, 2022
Written by Andy Worthington.
Recorded at Equator Studios with Charlie Hart, June and July 2022. Mixed August 2022.
Cover design by Brendan Horstead, photo by Andy Worthington.

Reviews

"I loved listening to this joyous, ‘country’ song dedicated to Tidemill. It’s the only protest song about something I’ve been so close to and congratulations are in order. It’s not an easy one, and you’ve kept it simple but it feels full of warmth and affection too."
Anne Caron-Delion

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about

The Four Fathers London, UK

Militant, melodic rock & roots reggae band, based in SE London, mostly playing original protest music. Journalist and activist Andy Worthington (lead vocals, electro-acoustic guitar), Richard Clare (electric guitar, vocals), Bren Horstead (drums, percussion), Andrew Fifield (flute, harmonica), Paul Rooke (bass). ... more

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