Making space for grassroots resistance and community led place guarding.

We spoke with Rob Sykes from the 1998 LMS Occupation about their recent exhibition at the Community Works and the Old Fire Station, celebrating 25 years since the occupation of the former Oxford rail station. The historic Grade II * Listed building the group occupied was eventually demolished to make way for the Said Business School, funded in part by the former arms deal fixer and businessman, Wafic Said. In his fascinating account of the 4-month occupation that drew widespread public support and a great deal of media attention, Rob sketched out the magic (as well as the risks and challenges) of bringing people together in a spontaneous way. The LMS occupation built a temporary autonomous space where local citizens could envision how public land might be developed in the future, whilst safeguarding and celebrating local heritage.