Accession

Once we got keys from Southwark council, friends gathered at Yoshi’s flat to rescue some of his many treasures. Everything was very densely stacked or boxed in piles as you can see. To begin only one or two of us was able to enter and make some space. The central heating had been on since April and this was one of the hottest days of the summer, get the windows open!

Eight of us worked all day in 30 degree heat, so we were all exhausted by the time the Southwark housing officer returned to lock up. It was clear to us all that much more needed to be done and several more return visits were required before the huge number of boxes and crates would finally be moved. Now with keys it was easier to come and go as required. The neighbours in the sheltered accomodation came out to witness the evacuation process in the corridor. Many didn’t know Yoshi had died, so for some it was a shock but they were pleased when we explained our plans.

We hired a man with van in Deptford and transported everything to Limehouse Town Hall where we hefted it up to the top floor to be re-stacked and sorted on the balcony.

The keys were returned to Southwark Council by September as they were keen to recover use of the sheltered accomodation for other residents in need. We eventually recovered the key to his garage storage so it was a great relief to find it all but empty!

It’s a year since Yoshi’s death so the flat should be back in use by now.

The sorting work continues…