In 1999, To St. George's Hill...

On the third of April, 350 years after the original band of revolutionary roundheads that called themselves the Diggers settled in to cultivate St George's Hill in Surrey, a new group of like minded diggers set out to do the same.

In 1649, when the original diggers settled on St George's Hill it was common land. Nowadays it comprises two golf courses and one of the most exclusive estates in Britain, home to retired dictators and corporate directors alike.

The more recent occupation started with a march of 300 people onto the hill, following which activists continued on to a nearby part of the hill to establish a communal settlement. Plants were planted and structures erected.

There was one violent incident a few days later when a resident of the estate pulled up in a four wheel drive vehicle, started removing information boards, and when challenged, punched a man in the face. On the other side of the coin, many residents were supportive of the idea (not to the. point where they gave up their land and privilege, of course!)

One of the aims of the occupation was to increase public rights access to St George’s Hill. Specifically, the group tried to find a permanent home for the Digger’s Memorial Stone, in a public place with a new right of way leading to it. Negotiations on this were not successful and the stone is currently in Weybridge Museum until a satisfactory home can be found for it.

Eventually the owners, North Surrey Water, obtained an eviction order. The diggers, deciding that a defended eviction was not part of the aims, left the

hill on 16th April. TLIO 01865 722016