50 Princedale road, London, was home to the first office of the social welfare agency, Release. It was founded in 1967 by the eccentric Caroline Coon and Rufus Harris.[1] Princedale road was home to many crucial businesses and agencies within the underground, counterculture scene. In addition to housing the office of Release, Princedale road also supported the office for OZ magazine, a counterculture and alternative publication that was routinely criticized by mainstream media for its obscenity.[2] Alternative art is also represented on Princedale road as the psychedelic artists, Michael English and Nigel Warmouth utilized the space for their art.[3] Princedale road is presently a mix of both homes, offices and small restaurants located near Holland Park. However, its origins are far from its current role and its role in the 1960's cultural revolution. Prior to 1960, Princedale road housed the headquarters for the radical far-right political group, The White Defence League.[4] It also became the filming ground for films such as Blow Up, a murder mystery film.[5] A dramatic ideological transformation occurred on Princedale road in the 1960's, evidenced by the businesses and offices established there, with a shared theme of flower power.

[1] Britain's 'Release.'" Time 94, no. 3

[2] Vague, Tom. Getting It Straight In Notting Hill Gate: Local Pop History Guide

[3] Ibid.,

[4] Vague, Tom. Getting It Straight In Notting Hill Gate: Local Pop History Guide.

[5] Ibid.,

Mold, Alex. "'The Welfare Branch of the Alternative Society?'The Work of Drug Voluntary Organization Release, 1967–1978." Twentieth Century British History 17, no. 1 (2006): 50-73.

"Britain's 'Release.'" Time 94, no. 3 (July 18, 1969)

Vague, Tom. Getting It Straight In Notting Hill Gate: Local Pop History Guide. London: 2010.

Prior to this established location, Release operated much differently as it was a 24-hour telephone. However, this location on Princedale load shows its growth in the hippy and underground culture. In addition to interference with the government's militaristic ideals through public and active protests, Release represented political interference. The voluntary organization's core goal was to provide individuals charged with drug related crimes, relief and connect them with lawyers.[1] Youths with drug addictions and criminalized hippies with pot charges were amongst Release's main concern. Drugs were highly utilized in the underground sphere, leading to stigmatization and charges for drug possession which were steep. Notably illegal drugs were not common in London until 1959 when counterculture movements began to utilize and celebrate cannabis usage.[2] Released advertised itself to hippies both in the media and at local rallies for marijuana decriminalization, reaching the people who would most likely require Releases' assistance.[3] Two years following Release's start, it assisted in 2,000 cases with an 85% success rate.[4] Caroline Coon and Rufus Harris opted to provide the accused with legal advice and legal resources with a 24-hour telephone line, as Coon explained that she "knew that Release had to be 24 hours because police were busting youths in the middle of the night."[5] Due to the voluntary nature of Release, it required outside funding to maintain operations. Notably, these donations were acquired from prominent members of alternative lifestyles, such as John Lennon and Yoko Ono who simultaneously utilized Release for their own drug related case. In addition to providing relief for those accused of drug possession, Release maintained a implicit message. This message was a blunt critique of harsh government drug policy and its intolerance.[6]

[1] Mold, Alex. "'The Welfare Branch of the Alternative Society? 'The Work of Drug Voluntary Organization Release, 1967–1978."

[2] Mold, A. (2012). From the alternative society to the big society? voluntary organisations and drug services in Britain Pg., 53

[3] Britai.n's 'Release.'" Time 94, no. 3 (July 18, 1969)

[4] Ibid.,

[5] Nolan, James "Raves and the Rolling Stones: The History of Drugs Charity Release"

[6] Mold, A. (2012). From the alternative society to the big society? voluntary organisations and drug services in Britain. Pg. 53

Mold, Alex. "'The Welfare Branch of the Alternative Society?'The Work of Drug Voluntary Organization Release, 1967–1978." Twentieth Century British History 17, no. 1 (2006): 50-73.

Britain's 'Release.'" Time 94, no. 3 (July 18, 1969)

Nolan, James "Raves and the Rolling Stones: The History of Drugs Charity Release" Vice (October 13^, 2017)

Mold, A. (2012). From the alternative society to the big society? voluntary organisations and drug services in Britain, 1960s-2010s. Voluntary Sector Review, 3(1), 51-66

Through the conclusion of this tour, one witnesses the struggle and change both the Hippie population and the Anti-nuclear activists strived to achieve after the second world war and during the Vietnam war. Locations such as the Roundhouse and the UFO club showcased the hidden underground world, a place where the younger generation could live the way they wanted to. The innovative and new bands like the psychedelic Pink Floyd introduced a refreshing and hip way of living with drugs like LSD as a way for the hippies to connect and separate themselves from the rest of the world and live a care-free life. Release's office on Princedale Road challenged mainstream notions of drug users and assisted those with harsh drug charges through explicit and implicit messages. Rebelling against the older generation and their conservative traditions allowed the youth generation of London to change and create their own culture, their own identity. Hyde Park, Trafalgar and Grosvenor Square allow sightseers to witness the history and prestige they showcase, and to witness the tension and anger protesters felt towards pro-war propaganda. Their importance to British youth history, along with the vast space they possess, held protests that tried to incite change. Similar to Hyde Park and Trafalgar Squares change during their construction. 1960's London challenged complicity and strove to forge a destiny that did not include the need for violent wars.