A couple of things we thought you’d like to know about, plans for a community event and a mention in the national press!
There’s a great community event being planned called the Boundary Estate Fun Palace, which is part of the national Fun Palaces weekend in October. It’s resident-run with the support of St. Hilda’s East Community Centre, and there will be a whole host of free arts, science and sports events in some of the estate courtyards and in St. Hilda’s East too. The type and range of events is being decided by residents and look amazing – they’re looking for ideas and people to help make the Fun Palace. Check out their website.
We had a lovely little mention in the Guardian today, if you missed it take a look here
One of our directors, Philip Green, left this comment on the article’s online feed. It’s a good reminder of what the launderette is and that it’s been part of estate life for almost 24 years:
Good that the Boundary Community Launderette got a mention. I was one of the people who helped get it started in 1989 and opened in 1992, still living on the Boundary Estate and one of two original voluntary directors who oversee the business and the 5 staff. We’ve won two community awards, charge lower prices than most launderettes whilst paying the staff the London living wage, we have an equalities policy and are one of the longest surviving community enterprises in the country. Launderettes really are a neglected and under-appreciated centre of communities for many inner city areas. We cover our day-to-day running and maintenance costs but any new machinery has to be purchased with fundraising – not easy nowadays. Nine of our machines are now 24 years old and need to be replaced but that will cost around £35,000, a huge ask. It’s no surprise that launderettes like ours – old-fashioned honest-to-goodness community centred – are dying out. Not only are planning laws against us but the costs are prohibitive. If we had to think of profits it would be virtually impossible to do what we do. None of the directors have ever received payment or benefit for what we do, we do it because of our connection to and love of where we live. The Boundary Estate was the first planned council estate in the UK, for years it was neglected and unloved by most other than the people who lived here and a few architecture enthusiasts. Today it’s at the centre of trendy Shoreditch with ex-council properties selling for up to £750,000 whilst many of the council tenants are on minimum wage and in receipt of benefit – it’s worth remembering that Tower Hamlets and Hackney are two of the poorest boroughs in the country, and the ward we’re in one of the poorest in Europe.
