Mono Monday 165 :: MM165 :: Community

Communities are constantly changing. We can often see the signs that hint at their past.

This is a Coal & Wine Tax Post dating from about the 1850's. These days they are often found hidden in bushes or even on private property and they mark where taxes were due for goods coming into London. The taxes helped build the bridges across the Thames or roads into the city. There are dozens to be found in this area.

In it's day it would have been in the little village of Green Street Green some 16 miles outside London. Now Green St Green is just a suburb of the ever growing Metropolis. 

Behind it is an old folks residence built by the Orpington Urban District Council back in the 1950's. It was built in a retro style that reminds me of Port Sunlight. Set back from the High Street it surrounds a very large garden with a central pond and wonderful magnolia trees which are in full bloom. Large as it is it can be overlooked when passing but if it catches your eye you don't feel inclined to explore but just to look.

Today we collect our taxes differently. I doubt if in the future we will have the same nostalgic view on Speed cameras or the Central London Congestion Charge camera gantries as we do these sort of posts. 

Another thing that has changed is providing for the elderly. Few residential homes or OAP flats look like these today. The Orpington Urban District Council became part of the Bromley Borough of London back in the 1960's. Centralising council government has diluted the feel of local community and the provisions. 

Maybe Orpington needs to get it's community back and seek independence...

My Hearts will be sprinkled on Thursday or Friday. Next week's theme will be announced on my Blip on Wednesday.



For CMC17 I have gone with a light sepia tone.