After a three-year occupation of disused woodland in Surrey, Runnymede Eco-Village was evicted over three days in mid-September. Some people had dug themselves into the ground, while others were in the trees with water and non-perishable food.
Five people were arrested during the eviction.
When they took the land in May 2012, the Diggers announced: ‘Inspired by Gerald Winstanley and the 1649 diggers, we hope to nurture and develop the skills to live independently of the dangeously unsustainable consumer mainstream.’
Since then, they have created a 25-dwelling community, and held several festivals. They lost their appeal in the high court on 11 September.