1: Down and Out
Fifty years ago George Orwell lived for several months as a vagrant sleeping in lodging houses, in ' spikes ', and on the streets of London. This programme, in two parts, sets his descriptions alongside voices from the present. ' According to the law in London, you may sit down for the night, but the police must move you on if they see you asleep. The Embankment and one or two odd corners.... are special exceptions.'
(GEORGE ORWELL , 1932)
' There's Camberwell - the ' spike ' - Dean Street , the Salvation Army, but you have to pay there.
None of them are all that clever. The majority of people, rather than go there, will sleep on the Embankment.'
(LONDON DOSSER, 1981)
Producer PETER EVERETT BBC Manchester
(Part 2: Sun 10.15 pm)