'Stompie: The T-34 Tank'

Stompie's Stomping Ground.

For this walk around the Unfinished City I began my journey at Borough Market, where I had a late breakfast, before heading down the Old Kent Road, towards Mandela Way. I had heard so much about Stompie that I wanted to see her for myself, so that I could mark it off my to see in London list. I was not disappointed. The land that Stompie resides upon is only partially fenced, so you can get up close and personal with this piece of military history.

Brief History

Apparently, Mr Gray had been refused planning permission, by Southwark Council, to build on his plot of land and felt aggrieved by the decision. However, he applied to Southwark Council to see if they would grant him permission to place a tank on the land. Mr Gray never specified, to Southwark Council, what sort of tank he wanted to place on the land, but they still gave him the permission he required, believing that we was placing a septic tank on the site.

Russell Gray, who lives just a few yards from where Stompie now resides, had bought the T-34 Tank for £7,000.

I would have loved to have seen their faces when Stompie arrived, with the turret pointing its gun directly at the council offices.

Mr Gray has allowed Stompie to be painted, and graffitied, by various artists, over the years.

Stompie: The T-34 Tank