Newly Discovered World of History Loving Eccentric in Rented Flat

[TootsieFootsie]

Ron's house: Minotaur head and lion discovered in rented Birkenhead flat

Ron Gittins transformed his rented home in Birkenhead and now campaigners are trying to buy it.

www.bbc.com

Ron's house: Minotaur head and lion discovered in rented Birkenhead flat​

Ron Gittins lived in Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula in England. A curious and colourful character, he was both well-known but also a total mystery to friends, neighbours and even family.

It was only after he died in 2019, and relatives were asked to clear his rented home that the weird, wonderful private world he had made for himself was uncovered.

Now, supporters of Ron’s Place, including singer Jarvis Cocker, are trying to raise money to buy his old flat and turn it into a space for artists.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

The article was published a day ago, but he died in 2019 so surely the flat that he rented is already either rented out or sold.
I can't imagine a landlord waiting for three years, unless they were getting rent from it, or had sold it.

 

[wendybtn]

About Ron – Ron’s Place

ronsplace.co.uk

Found this interesting article with pictures about Ron, including his obituary.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Found this interesting article with pictures about Ron, including his obituary.

Thanks for that.

What a very interesting person he was, even if he was hard to deal with at times.
I like that his neighbours thought highly of his kindness to him.

If a documentary was made of his life, I'd be in interested in seeing it.

 

[Lilibet]

The article was published a day ago, but he died in 2019 so surely the flat that he rented is already either rented out or sold.
I can't imagine a landlord waiting for three years, unless they were getting rent from it, or had sold it.

What a fascinating man!

The organization has been paying his rent while trying to acquire the whole building. The building owner, however, wants to move on, so fund-raising has accelerated.

A snippet from the link…NEWS UPDATE – Ron’s Place

Over the last two and half years the landlord of Ron’s building has been both patient with us and broadly supportive. However, even before Ron died, the landlord had their own plans to renovate the entire building, returning all flats, including Ron’s, to general housing stock. This would, of course, mean Ron’s murals and fireplaces would be lost forever.

Last Chance to Save

In the absence of our major funding partner, and with the landlord now wanting to push on with their renovation of the entire building, we have one last real chance to save Ron’s.

Currently, given that the second and third floor tenants are in the process of being rehoused due to safety issues with the external staircase, our best option seems to be to lease the whole building for one year.

We would use this year for two main things. Firstly, we would undertake certain feasibility studies in partnership with another interested developer/housing body with a view to purchase. Secondly, with access to the entire building, we could begin to make Ron’s Place more available to local communities in order to demonstrate its power in stimulating creativity, empowerment and improved wellbeing.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I like that his neighbours thought highly of his kindness to him.

Oops, it was too early in my day

I meant to write that I like that his neighbours spoke of his kindness to them.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Thanks @ Lilibet

That makes it all clear as to what has been happening.

I think one thing is to get it out to as much media as they can. I would say there are many people who would be interested in saving this special place. If enough people donated even a small amount...

I'd say that if someone was interested in doing a documentary about Ron and his flat, it could take off in a big way.

Who knows, maybe even a movie. I would be interested in seeing it, and for myself i can't say that about a lot of movie.

Maybe they could get the money they need to buy from not only donations but from a movie advance.

And they have a well known celebrity on board already, I imagine there will be more.

I understand the landlords position too.

 

[Lilibet]

Thanks @ Lilibet

That makes it all clear as to what has been happening.

I think one thing is to get it out to as much media as they can. I would say there are many people who would be interested in saving this special place. If enough people donated even a small amount...

I'd say that if someone was interested in doing a documentary about Ron and his flat, it could take off in a big way.

Who knows, maybe even a movie. I would be interested in seeing it, and for myself i can't say that about a lot of movie.

Maybe they could get the money they need to buy from not only donations but from a movie advance.

And they have a well known celebrity on board already, I imagine there will be more.

I understand the landlords position too.

I agree with everything you say @TootsieFootsie. I hope they are exploring lots of options.