Camdcen New Journal - LettersHarry Hallowes

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Camden New Journal - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published:7 June 2007

Please club together to buy Harry the hermit a caravan

•ABOUT the squatter who went to court, May 31.
Mr Harry Hallowes was very lucky in his choice of land to squat on as Athlone House was then NHS property.
Its managers were negligent in failing to evict him. He was allowed to bathe and use water etc in the hospital.
The estate on the edge of the Heath was donated to the NHS in 1948 by the Waley-Cohens.
They were motivated by public-spirited philanthropy. Mr Hallowes’ luck continued as he was allowed by the new owners to remain on his patch then when he quit (or died) that would be added to the strip of land now added to the Heath as a nature reserve.
Not content with this, penniless Mr Hallowes went to the courts to obtain legal title to the piece, which was granted.
He is ill-advised if he imagines he can build – there are restrictive covenants applying.
If he is as sincere as he claims he should donate the land legally to be added to the Heath. There is no need for anyone to live in squalor these days. Homeless people qualify for municipal housing and a hostel place while waiting.
Hopefully officials entrusted with managing public property will ensure they are protected from illegal occupation.
G MAGENNIS
Caversham Road
NW5

• I REFER to the matter concerning Harry Hallowes who, it was said, earned the rights to land on Hampstead Heath after residing in a shack for 18 years.
Now it appears he does not have rights to the land (Home blow for hermit, May 31).
I appeal to all those millionaires living in the vicinity.
Please club together to purchase a caravan for this gentleman, something he said he would like to live in.
Not much to ask is it?
Please make his dream come true.
After all you have been blessed with your riches.
Let it be one of your many good deeds.
Think how rewarding it can be to put a smile on someone’s face.
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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