Irene Gardiner lives in a 500-year-old timber framed and stone cottage near Llanidloes, Powys. She has occupied the house for 11 years, raising her family. The cottage, which has no electricity or running water, has been occupied by squatters for several decades and Irene moved in 2001. Two of her children; Hazel, 15, and Sol, 14, live with her and attend local schools.
Irene has paid council tax since taking possession of the property from a previous squatter and no one had title to it and in 2011 tried and failed to claim lawful possession of the property but her application sadly failed.
Irene is self employed and works as a puppeteer, jeweller and an Artist. She is a popular member of the local community and her living in the house has not caused offence to the majority of local people.
Backed by lawyers in London, Irene is bringing a test case against the police and CPS seeking assurances she will not be thrown out of her family home.
The purpose of this petition is to widen awareness of Irene’s case and to promote support for her and to prevent her being arrested.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
October 27, 2012
October 3, 2012
I am honestly a bit overwhelmed by how many people are tuning into Irene’s situation right now because it really shows that folks care about her family and that quiet little cottage in Powys. I spent all morning talking to the lawyers and trying to process the sheer scale of the support which has been just wild honestly since I was worried nobody would care about a puppeteer in a stone hut.
Reached 100 supporters
September 17, 2012
September 15, 2012
I was just looking at the count and we are sneaking up on that first big milestone but it is still sitting there waiting for a little nudge to push it over. If everyone who already clicked the button just pinged someone else about Irene and her kids maybe we could actually get this moving before the lawyers have their next meeting.
7 Comments
UPSETTING. She has made that place her home for over a decade. The system is broken.
She has been there 11 years! Leave her alone she pays her taxes and contributes to the town. Ridiculous.
This is so unfair. Why kick a mother and her kids out on the street when they have a roof over their heads.
11 years is a long time. They are part of the community now. stop the harassment.
Llanidloes needs people like Irene. She is a hard worker and no one wants her gone. Let them stay.
Why ???
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Irene Gardiner lives in a 500-year-old timber framed and stone cottage near Llanidloes, Powys. She has occupied the house for 11 years, raising her family. The cottage, which has no electricity or running water, has been occupied by squatters for several decades and Irene moved in 2001. Two of her children; Hazel, 15, and Sol, 14, live with her and attend local schools.
Irene has paid council tax since taking possession of the property from a previous squatter and no one had title to it and in 2011 tried and failed to claim lawful possession of the property but her application sadly failed.
Irene is self employed and works as a puppeteer, jeweller and an Artist. She is a popular member of the local community and her living in the house has not caused offence to the majority of local people.
Backed by lawyers in London, Irene is bringing a test case against the police and CPS seeking assurances she will not be thrown out of her family home.
The purpose of this petition is to widen awareness of Irene’s case and to promote support for her and to prevent her being arrested.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
October 27, 2012
October 3, 2012
I am honestly a bit overwhelmed by how many people are tuning into Irene’s situation right now because it really shows that folks care about her family and that quiet little cottage in Powys. I spent all morning talking to the lawyers and trying to process the sheer scale of the support which has been just wild honestly since I was worried nobody would care about a puppeteer in a stone hut.
Reached 100 supporters
September 17, 2012
September 15, 2012
I was just looking at the count and we are sneaking up on that first big milestone but it is still sitting there waiting for a little nudge to push it over. If everyone who already clicked the button just pinged someone else about Irene and her kids maybe we could actually get this moving before the lawyers have their next meeting.
7 Comments
Poor kids. Imagine being kicked out of your home that you have lived in your whole life. cruel.
UPSETTING. She has made that place her home for over a decade. The system is broken.
She has been there 11 years! Leave her alone she pays her taxes and contributes to the town. Ridiculous.
This is so unfair. Why kick a mother and her kids out on the street when they have a roof over their heads.
11 years is a long time. They are part of the community now. stop the harassment.
Llanidloes needs people like Irene. She is a hard worker and no one wants her gone. Let them stay.
Why ???
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Poor kids. Imagine being kicked out of your home that you have lived in your whole life. cruel.